Peru agrees to stage 2019 Dakar Rally

The Peruvian government has committed to staging the 2019 edition of the Dakar Rally in full following concerns over the financial strain the motorsport showpiece would place on the South American country.

The Dakar will be held in one country for the first time in its history next year after it was announced last month that Peru would be the sole destination for 2019. Rally organiser Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) unveiled the route for the 41st edition of the event, following a troubled process to secure host nations.

Earlier in May, Chile ruled itself out of hosting part of the endurance event, citing financial difficulties. This forced ASO to postpone the announcement of the route, after originally earmarking Chile and Ecuador to join Peru as co-hosts of next year’s event.

Bolivia had also been linked to a role in hosting the event, only for ASO to be left with a route that will run from January 6-17, starting and finishing in the Peruvian capital, Lima. But this plan has come into question in recent weeks, with Peruvian officials reportedly concerned over the financial impact of the single-nation hosting model.

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According to Peruvian newspaper Gestion last week, the initial government analysis had found it would lose money in the venture, with $6m (€5.1m) owing to ASO in hosting fees, with logistics, infrastructure and security costs taking expenditure up to $25m.

However, Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva last week stated the Rally was an event of the “utmost importance” for Peru due to the attention it would grant the country, and the associated tourist benefits of that. ASO has now confirmed that Peru has made a full commitment to the event.

“See you in Lima… The Dakar was declared today by the Peruvian government as an event of national interest,” read an ASO statement today.

This year’s Dakar took place from January 6-20, with the event having been held across three countries, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina.