Be sure to see this post & overlay of another of the world's toughest races ... Baja 1000 / 2005 ... see NEWS VIDEOS below.

THE ROUTE - A RAID INTO THE EXTREME ... http://www.dakar.com ... see also Jedihacker's waypoints KMZ below.

The organisers of the Euromilhoes Dakar unveiled the route of the 28th edition of the race, which will take place from the 31st of December 2005 to the 15th of January 2006. The rally will set off for the first time from Portugal, with 508 teams in the race ... http://www.dakar.com/2006/presentation/us/r1_parcours.html

Quick stats ... 16 days, 9000 Km, only 2 rest days, tougher than even the Baja 1000, roadway bandits, 45 deaths since its inception in 1979. Every class races together ... motorcycles, sidecar motorbikes, cars, trucks.