A country with seven thousand years of history, a desert among the most beautiful and varied in the world, a reliable organisation that gives priority to its participants’ needs, and a contest that spans more than thirty years and has written some important pages in the history of Rally-Raids. That is the Pharaohs Rally, ready to challenge amateurs and champions alike in the Egyptian desert from 28 September to 5 October, 2013.
Corner after corner, dune after dune, track after track, the six stages will focus the eyes of the world on the beautiful, difficult, fulfilling and mysterious Egyptian desert. But it is not only the route and the location that make the Pharaohs Rally different. The Egyptian race is still one of the few races where you can breathe the atmosphere of a real rally-raid, with an “African style” bivouac and its unique mood.
And if that is not enough, here are ten good reasons not to miss the 2013 Pharaohs Rally:
• Almost 2,600 km in one of the best landscapes in the world
• A three-day boat crossing for vehicle transfer, Venice/Alexandria and back
• Customs duty handled by the organisation
• Transfers reduced to a minimum
• Start in front of the Great Pyramids in Cairo
• Majestic yet accessible dunes
• Motorcycle boxes truck and “broom wagon” service available
• European Medical Staff
• Accurate road book
• 5 star bivouacs
The organisers of this rally always devote great attention to the needs of all competitors, from the brave amateurs wishing to challenge the champions to the official teams testing riders and vehicles with a view to the great rallies that close the year. Of course, the Pharaohs is a rally for all!
We offer some 2,200 km of Selective Sections with reduced transfers and a tough, demanding route, with long and challenging stages. The reward of reaching the Pyramids pays back all the efforts expended over the week of the race.
As usual, the less experienced can leave any Selective Section and follow the asphalt up to the bivouac in order to devote more time to recovering their energies or repairing the vehicle so they can get back racing the next day, with penalties of course.
In order to help the participants and facilitate the logistics, we have only two bivouacs – supplied with all comforts, including catering that will suit any demanding gourmet.
The most fulfilling feature for rally organisers is the scouting, although it is a difficult task to trace a route, to discover unknown trails, to cross sand dunes with the aim of working out something that meets the expectation of competitors. Landscapes greatly inspire the scouts as they design the road-book that will thrill the riders throughout the rally. Their task is to keep the promises of a marvellous race, maybe challenging sometimes, but feasible and enjoyable for all.
There are two bivouacs this year to make it as efficient and comfortable as possible for the participants. There is one in the Baharija Oasis in the dunes of Ghorabi, with a great view of the dunes, and a second one in the Farafra Oasis with again a great view of the White Desert on the horizon. The route this year is a good mix of smooth stretches, testing passages and a great variety of terrains in every stage. The second and the fifth legs will be a challenging and fun crossing of the famous Cathedral Dunes.
Now the 2013 trail is ready and here are the details of the stages:
Stage 1: 118 km liaison, 299 km stage
Stage 2: 380 km stage
Stage 3: 466 km stage
Stage 4: 380 km stage, 26 km liaison
Stage 5: 128 km liaison, 435 km stage
Stage 6: 217 km stage, 155 km liaison
Total: 2177 km stage, 427 km liaison = 2604 km rally
Dates
• February 1st Registration opening
• March 31st Deadline for “early rate” registration
• May 31st Deadline for “standard rate” registration
• August 31st Registration final deadline
• September 16th Vehicles shipment (confirmed)
• September 28th Vehicles collection in Alexandria port
• September 28th – 29th Technical and sport scrutineerings
• September 29th Press Conference
• September 30th First stage start
• October 5th Rally finish – Parc fermée – Prize giving ceremony
• October 6th Vehicles delivery at Alexandria port
• October 12th Vehicles collection (to be confirmed)
The Pharaohs will be the last race of the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship and, after the Brazilian rally, the field is definitely open: Marc Coma is being chased by Gonçalves and lies only three points ahead. Who will better tame the Cathedral dunes and rocky terrains and better handle the desert fatigue? This year too, the Egyptian adventure will be key in determining who is World Champion this year!