The Alternative Map
of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia 2024
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (January 3rd, 2024) – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, will once again be starting the New Year as the focal point of motorsport world when it hosts its 5th consecutive edition of the Dakar Rally from January 5th – 19th. The 2024 Dakar Rally will encompass a distance of 7,974 km over 12 stages, featuring 4,727 km of special stages, on varied and extremely challenging terrain across the vast, magnificent landscapes of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The 46th edition of the Dakar Rally will start in historical AlUla, in the north-western region of Saudi Arabia. The drivers will then navigate south-east via Al Henakiyah, Al Duwadimi and Al Salamiya across challenging terrain to Al-Hofuf, which is located in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom. After the 48h Chrono challenge exploring the Empty Quarter, competitors will then head to Riyadh at the end of Stage 6 for a well-deserved Rest Day. The rally will resume on January 14th as the route continues to weave its way back up north across the desert via Al Duwadimi to Ha’il and then AlUla before racing towards the finish line in Yanbu.
With 60 percent of the route covering completely new territory, teams, competitors, organisers, and the entire bivouac will race in places they have not been taken to by the Dakar Rally before. The diversity of the route is testament to the varied landscapes, topography and climate zones in the Kingdom offering plentiful examples of Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage, landmarks, and historical sites to participants, attending fans and the global audience watching at home.
Ahead of the start of the 2024 Dakar in Saudi, the Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) – Promoter of the prestigious rally – is using this opportunity to introduce the unmatched beauty and captivating history of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia once again to audiences via its ‘alternative map’ of the Dakar Rally.
By
SMG Press Office
