Being a race of such magnitude, with more than 600 participants, hundreds of vehicles and that must move around 3,000 people each day, it also has high costs. For example, you have to have a freighter to carry the competition vehicles, several cars and trucks of the organization and four of the 14 helicopters necessary to control the race, from Marseilles until the saudi port closest.
The category motorcycle is the most accessible, cars They are for few and trucksthe most expensive.
What happens with Argentine competitors?
With the arrival of Dakar Rally to Saudi Arabia the number of participants Argentines were reduced considerably. Of the 31 Argentine participants in 2023, now there are only 20 registeredwith another difference: of the number a year ago, 20 were pilots (including motorcyclists and those who carried quadricycles, naturally), and now there are 12.
Motorcycles, the most accessible
run the Dakar in the category Original by Motul (without assistance), it would be the most economical option, but also the most risky and demanding, since it is the rider himself who will have to repair the motorcycle and do its maintenance every day upon arriving at the bivouac.
The price of a new motorcycle is around €35,000plus VATwhile renting it would be around €20,000 plus VAT. To that we would have to add the registration fee of €18,000.
Of course, if the pilot has 10 or more editions, a discount of €900 in the registration price. In addition, we must take into account the cost of the license from the International Motorcycle Federation, which is essential to be able to race and which is around €700.
Extra costs of the 2024 Dakar Rally
Airline tickets are paid separately and range from €1,000 and the €1,800depending on what time frame they have been reserved.
To this we would have to add the tires (€150 for each one), which are around the 14 necessary. Fuel is included in the registration. The mechanical spare parts would be around €3,500.
In the event that the pilot brings a mechanic, this would increase the cost to around €20.000 more (registration, flights, hotels and salary). Besides, ASO requires that there be a registered assistance vehicle (between €3,500 and €8,400 depending on the size and registration dates) to transport it to the corridor and the spare parts, but it must have two occupants “for safety.” Therefore, the minimum would be around €43,500.
And if you also have a caravan to sleep in, you have to add between €9,000 and €13,200 (according to the length of the vehicle) registration fee, plus a few €15,000 rent, plus the cost of fuel and two other people registered as assistance (€20,000).
In total, the approximate expense would be between 50 and €80,000 and in the Original Category: €40,000-€60.000.
Within the reach of few
The category of cars It is one of the ones that attracts the most attention, but to be able to race on it you need a much larger budget than the motorcycle. Obviously, costs vary depending on the vehicle chosen. If you opt for one of the T1 (main category) of the previous generation (narrow wheel), we would talk about €300,000.
However, if it is one of the current T1+/Ultimate, such as the one from Nasser Al Attiyaoh the one from Sebastian Loebthe price can rise to 700,000-800,000 for rent (including mechanical assistance service, spare parts, etc.). If, on the other hand, you wanted to buy one of these units without any service included, the price is around €750,000.
In addition, you must have the €850 of the FIA license for each of the two members of the vehicle.
In addition, we must take into account the cost of the special fuel that these vehicles need to operate reliably, which is around €5 per liter (the tank capacity of each car is around 400-500 liters for each stage).
Also, brake wear is noticeable in cars with more than 2,000 kg weightso participants will also have to have an extra budget for spare parts, in addition to BF Goodrich tires, which cost €650 each one and of which about 30 units are needed to finish the rally.
Registration is also more expensive for the Ultimate (T1), the Stock (T2, 4×4 series), the Challenger (T3, light prototypes) or the SSV (light series vehicles). This year it was stipulated in €30,000 (with €1,500 discount for those who have participated in more than 10 Dakars). Each mechanic adds 10,000 to €15,600 depending on the date of registration, plus expenses and salaries.
Of course, this budget for equipment like Audi, prodrive either Toyota Gazoo Racing multiplies to astronomical and confidential figures.
The approximate total would be between a little more than €800,000 (T1+), the €420,000 (T3) and the €380,000 (T4)
The beasts of the desert
The trucks They are one of the great attractions of a test Dakar, but the budget increases significantly. Registration alone costs €45,000 per vehicle (€43,000 if you have participated in more than 10 Dakar). To that we must add the 150-250,000 euros that a T5 can be worth, which can go as race assistance for other vehicles or compete, plus the licenses (€850/per person).
In addition, we must add the cost of mechanics, assistance and parts, which is separate and each tire of the four (or six, depending on the model) used by these giants is around €1,000.
In total, what would have to be invested to participate in this category would be an amount greater than the €600,000.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
