Over 500 competitors from 61 countries, including 33 Peruvian participants, confirmed their participation in the 2019 Dakar rally, which will take place in Peru between January 7 and 17.
Peruvian drivers taking part in the 100% Peruvian Dakar Rally include Nicolás Fuchs, Fernanda Kanno, Diego Heilbrunn, Fernando Ferrand, Miguel Ángel Álvarez, Francisco León, José Salaverry, Sergio Samaniego and Aníbal Aliaga in the Cars / SxS category.
In addition, our compatriots Gianna Velarde, Sebastián Cavallero, César Pardo, Lalo Burga, Carlo Vellutino and Roberto Vecco will participate on motorbikes, while Peruvians Emilio Choy and Christian Málaga will seek to make history in the Quad category.
The Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur), Roger Valencia, commented on the significance of Dakar 2019 taking place entirely in Peru. “The competition will stimulate the economies of Lima, Ica, Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna, because it will motivate the consumption of goods and services in the areas surrounding the route of competition,” he explained.
The minister also said that the rally will have an economic impact of US$ 60 million, exceeding the 2018 results (US$ 40.5 million) by US$ 20 million. “Around US$ 40.7 million will be directly related to the tourism industry,” he added.
For his part, the director of the Dakar Rally, Etienne Lavigne, appreciated the fact that the race is to be held entirely on national territory. In addition, he warned that just because the Peruvian edition has fewer kilometers compared to previous years, doesn’t mean that it will be any easier to finish. “It will be a very hard race, with a top quality route. High sporting interest promises a successful edition,” he explained.
In the 10 stages of the Dakar Rally, the competitors will have to cover a total distance of 5,000 kilometers, 3,000 of which are in special sections, marked by unprecedented intensity and complexity. The first stage will have the city of Lima as its start point, and it will finish in Pisco.
Participants will have to leave Pisco and head for San Juan de Marcona (Ica), and then continue on to Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna. The rest day is scheduled for January 12, following the Tacna – Arequipa marathon. The race finishes on January 17 in the city of Lima.
RALLY AND FLAVOR
On January 11-13, the Peruvian Export and Tourism Promotion Commission (PROMPERÚ) will organize the “Perú, Mucho Gusto” food show in the Mariscal Nieto stadium in Ilo. Dakar Rally lovers will not only be able to follow the competition in this city, they will also have the chance to enjoy the best of our regional cuisine. The show aims to promote border tourism with visitors from Bolivia and Chile.