2022 Dakar Rally

The feedback from competitors about previous event was that there were too many rocky surfaces resulting in excessive tyre wear and punctures, and not enough sandy stages which traditionally dominated Dakar rally. The organizers listened to the complaints and on 11 May 2021 revealed a new route which is characterized by a push into the sandy Empty Quarter.[6] Same as last year, the route includes 1 Prologue stage, 12 stages including 2 loop stages and 1 marathon stage. The route will consist of around 4,000 km (2,500 mi) of special stages and 2,500 km (1,600 mi) - 3,000 km (1,900 mi) of liaisons. The exact route was revealed in late November 2021.[7] The route did not feature the Empty Quarter this year. Initially, due to very difficult terrain, the competitors were planned to be airlifted from stage 8 finish to Riyadh.

Although initially promoted, last year's event did not have alternative fuels class, and only had several participants running on fuels different from petrol or diesel. In this edition there is stronger push to low-carbon vehicles, with an aim to have 100% low-carbon vehicles in the car, SSV and truck categories by 2030.[8] This edition will include a new T1-E category, with rules drawn up in collaboration with the FIA. This category has been created for prototype vehicles relying on electric motors or any technology focused on reducing carbon emissions, such as biofuels and hydrogen. Audi Sport announced that it will enter three Audi RS Q e-tron to T1-E category. Driven by Carlos Sainz, Stéphane Peterhansel and Mattias Ekström,[9] Audi Sport has set target of winning the rally.[10] In truck category, Hino announced support in building a hybrid vehicle that will enter the event.[11]

Pioneering the new T1.E class, Audi demanded tyre inflation-deflation system in the cockpit, a larger chassis, buggy-sized wheels (17 inches) and more suspension travel than the 4x4s in T1.1 category. Prodrive and Toyota Gazoo Racing teams objected, which forced the organizers to open up the possibility of a new T1+ category. Cars in this category will be 4x4s, will have a 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) wide chassis (instead of the current 2 m (6 ft 7 in)), 350 mm (14 in) of suspension travel (instead of the current 280 mm (11 in)) and 37 in wheels (instead of 32 in). The maximum weight will be increased by 100 kg (220 lb) to 1,950 kg (4,300 lb). The tyre inflation-deflation system controllable from the cockpit will remain exclusive to category T1.3 two-wheel drive buggies and the new T1-E hybrid or electric vehicles, "to optimise their energy consumption".[12]

In order to balance the performance balance between factory teams, the organizers ASO and the FIA will continue using air restrictors. The diameters are still under review. Currently, Toyota's twin-turbo V6 petrol engine has a 37 mm (1.5 in) air restrictor, the turbo-diesel engine in the X-Raid Mini buggy has a 39 mm (1.5 in) air restrictor. Prodrive's twin-turbo V6 petrol engine is electronically limited by a power curve equal to the Toyota's.[12]

Electronic roadbooks will become standard to all vehicles from the car, SSV and truck categories with a view of limiting the differences in assistance resources between the teams. The motorbikes and quads entered in the elite category will also get a version that has been adapted for them.

Bike and quad rider airbag vests introduced last year have received positive feedback. Airbag vest effectiveness and comfort have been improved.[8]

In Dakar Classic category, the regularity will no longer be the only evaluation criteria. On portions representing roughly 20% of the route, only navigation will be judged and not time, and each excess kilometre covered will cost points.[1]

The 2022 Dakar Rally started on 1 January at Jeddah, with a prologue of 19 km, officially called stage 1A. For the motos only, the stage 1A times were multiplied by 5. Gas Gas entered the Dakar stage winners with a victory by Daniel Sanders,[13] although Gas Gas used KTM 450 Rally bikes.[14] Skyler Howes and José Ignacio Cornejo lost a lot of time on stage 1A and were more than 8 minutes behind the leader. In the cars Guerlain Chicherit in a GCK Thunder buggy running on bio-ethanol fuel had problems with instrumentation and stopped on track.

On 2 January, just before the start of the race, it was announced that to heavy rains that flowed the bivouac, there wouldn't be any marathon stages in stage 2 and 3, but regular stages (with assistance park).[15] On stage 1B navigation was an issue and lots of drivers lost a significant amount of time finding a way point including, Ricky Brabec, Luciano and Kevin Benavides, Andrew Short, Juan Barreda, Toby Price, Maciej Giemza on bikes who lost between 30 and 50 minutes each on this waypoint.[16] Bad day for new Audi RS Q: Stephane Peterhansel had a crash and lost more than 7 hours, Mattias Ekstrom more than 1.5 hours, and Carlos Sainz more than 2 hours finding a waypoint in last 100 km which led him to make some criticism to organization.[17][18] Giniel de Villiers had an incident with the bike rider César Zumaran and later was awarded a 5 minutes penalty for not stopping to check for the health of the other competitor, breaching the sport regulations.[19] On 4 January it was announced that another incident involving de Villiers was under investigation by running over Mohamedsaid Aoulad Ali's bike when climbing a dune, rendering it unusable, de Villiers circled around to check on the status of the rider, but again did not stop to offer assistance.[20] He was given another time penalty, this time of 5 hours.

Also on stage 2, Loeb secured the victory on cars. In T3 category, the leader Seth Quintero had mechanical issues on that made him to penalize and being away from the fight for the final victory.[21] In the following stage, Quintero would take advantage of his start from behind and secure another stage win.

On stage 3 maiden victories for Hero with Joaquim Rodrigues on bikes, and Carlos Sainz with his Audi RS Q e-tron, the first victory on Dakar of an hybrid vehicle.[22] On T4 category WRC driver Andreas Mikkelsen had to retire after a crash.

Stage 4 and another victory for Nasser Al-Attiyah while Benediktas Vanagas in another Hilux T1+ suffered a rollover on stage and had to retire.[23]

Stages 5 and 6 had different routes for FIM (Bikes and Quads), and FIA (Cars, Light weight, SSVs and trucks competitors. Stage 5 for bikes and quads had to be partially neutralized due to the high number os competitors needing assistance, meaning no rescue helicopters were available in the final sector of the stage. The riders who didn't concluded the stage, were given a standard time. In quads only one driver reached the end before neutralization was called.[24] Danilo Petrucci made history being the first MotoGP rider to win a Dakar stage.[25] Skyler Howes had to retire due to a head concussion[26] while Joan Barreda had struggles to finish the stage but manage to start stage 6.

Stage 6 for bikes and quads was also neutralized after the first waypoint at km 101 due to rough track caused by heavy rain and the passage of cars and trucks in the day before.[24][27] Neutralization came after quad rider Manuel Andújar crashed heavily in truck ruts, damaging the quad beyond repair. Andújar himself was in a state of shock, but otherwise okay.[28]

A total of 750 riders, drivers and co-drivers entered the event, among them 209 rookies (first-time entries), 130 legends (participating for the 10th or more years), 34 original by Motul (riders without support team) and 60 women. Another 315 drivers and co-drivers entered the Dakar Classic (classic car and truck categories).[32] Five vehicles compete in the Open category (3 in T1, 1 in T3 and 1 in T4)