Photo: rallystar.net
The 2016 Dakar Rally will have its course revised once more, as the government in Peru decided it is best that the country is not involved in the cross-country event. The cause of the withdrawal is very easy to understand, and it is entirely related to the El Nino phenomenon that affect the Western shores of South America's northern regions each winter.
Forecasts for the end of the year are, unfortunately, rather grim, and the Peruvian authorities say that being able to mobilize if necessary has become a national priority. This year, El Nino is expected to be extremely violent, and all state services and logistic capabilities will be in standby to provide relief for the affected population.
In the past, El Nino has brought massive amounts of rain and wreaked havoc with the nation's fishing industry, as the fish seem to get away from the coast regions when the phenomenon gets underway.
As Chile was crossed off the 2016 Dakar list, the organizers of the rally replaced it with several rounds in Peru, with the start of the very race intended to take place in the Peruvian capital Lima. Further on, the race course would have taken the Dakar competitors through Bolivia and into Argentina for the finish in Rosario.
Currently, the Dakar organizers are searching for alternate courses only in Bolivia and Argentina. The new, and, hopefully, final route of the 2016 Dakar will be announced in a press conference in the second half of September. At the same time, the 2015 Desafio Inca event, scheduled for 11-13 September in Peru was also canceled.
"The Dakar organizing team is at the disposal of all the competitors who have already entered to provide all relative information concerning these route changes in a timely manner," a press release informs.
In the past, El Nino has brought massive amounts of rain and wreaked havoc with the nation's fishing industry, as the fish seem to get away from the coast regions when the phenomenon gets underway.
Funny thing, Peru was chosen as a replacement for Chile
It looks like the weather in South America is not that favorable for the 2016 edition of the Dakar Rally. The first major route change was dictated by the massive floods and mudslides in Chile. The state of emergency in Chile prevented the authorities from being able to take care of staging a part of the Dakar, as helping the population in the northern regions of the country was paramount.As Chile was crossed off the 2016 Dakar list, the organizers of the rally replaced it with several rounds in Peru, with the start of the very race intended to take place in the Peruvian capital Lima. Further on, the race course would have taken the Dakar competitors through Bolivia and into Argentina for the finish in Rosario.
Currently, the Dakar organizers are searching for alternate courses only in Bolivia and Argentina. The new, and, hopefully, final route of the 2016 Dakar will be announced in a press conference in the second half of September. At the same time, the 2015 Desafio Inca event, scheduled for 11-13 September in Peru was also canceled.
"The Dakar organizing team is at the disposal of all the competitors who have already entered to provide all relative information concerning these route changes in a timely manner," a press release informs.
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