Dakar : The ''round'' of checks has startedFor the third year running, it's at the Cultural Center in Belem that the technical scrutineering and administrative checks preceeding the start of the Dakar are taking place.
For three days, all vehicles registered in
the race or as assistance vehicles will be submitted to the close scrutiny of the marshals. First, pilots and co-pilots will have to go through the "round" of administrative checks and hand in their licences, drivers' licences, visas, etc.
Then the vehicles will be looked at with a fine-tooth comb to make sure they abide by the rules of the sport. During this first day, most Portuguese and Spanish racers are expected to arrive in Lisbon. 65 bikes, 60 cars, 25 trucks and 65 assistance vehicles should get - by the end of the day - the much-awaited stamp authorizing them to start the rally raid.
In total, 248 bikes and quads, 204 cars and 98 trucks will gather to build up this year's caravan of the rally raid.
Press Release A.S.O