The challenging Dakar Rally is considered to be one of the most gruelling rally races in the world. It has a long and unique history, started in 1977 after a rally driver became lost in the desert and decided it would be a fantastic place for a rally. The rally is famous for it’s wide-ranging off-road terrain, with competitors often racing across desert, crossing dunes, mud, grass and rocks. The race is contested by motorbikes, cars, ATVs, trucks and UTVs by manufacturers keen to show off the speed and durability of their vehicles and drivers keen to push them to their limits.
The Dakar Rally separates vehicle groups into four different classes; motorcycles, quads, trucks and a wide ranging cars class which can go from buggy to small SUV. Although many of the vehicles are modified specifically for the race, the rally is one of manufacturer’s favourite tests of reliability and durability. The drivers are both professionals and amateurs testing themselves, their vehicles and their navigation abilities to the limit.
The rally began as a race from Paris to Dakar, however in the years since the event began it has changed location across Africa and South America. In 2017 the 9,000 km route crossed three countries with six days of the almost 2 weeks being at an altitude of over 3,000 m. In 2019 the rally is set to be 10 stages and will take place in Peru, Latin America, with 500 competitors from 54 nationalities.
Extreme Car Cleaning Without Power or Water
Kärcher have sponsored the rally every year since 2012 and every year they join the behind the scenes teams to face the tough task of cleaning such a wide range of vehicles in a unique environment, without power or water connections.
Even with the scale of such a challenge the cleaning teams have managed to clean up to 2,500 vehicles in two days – a service appreciated so much that some competitors even visit twice. The teams work non-stop for nine hours each day in their specialist pop-up Cleaning Centre using the powerful and flexible Kärcher range of pressure washers to remove sand, mud and dirt from the competitors’ vehicles allowing them to finish the race without the debris attached to their vehicles becoming a safety issue.
Kärcher Hire stock a a range of portable, industrial, bowser pressure washers for your everyday (or more challenging!) needs.
Kärcher are official sponsors of the Dakar Rally.
