2007 Dakar Rally

The 2007 Dakar Rally was the 29th running of the event. It started in Lisbon, Portugal on 6 January and ran through Europe and Africa until 21 January 2007. It was the last time the event would take place in Europe and Africa, as the 2008 event was cancelled, and moved to South America from 2009.

The race began in Lisbon, Portugal, and passed through Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Mali, and Senegal. The total race distance was 7,915 kilometres (4,918 mi), of which 4,309 kilometres (2,677 mi) was timed special stage. There was a rest day in Atar, Mauritania on 13 January.

Note: The timed section of stage 7 was shortened to 407.6 kilometres (253.3 mi) due to adverse weather conditions.

A total of 132 bikes (52.8% of starters), 109 cars (58.3%), and 60 trucks (68.2%) finished the race.

The 2007 event was marred by the deaths of two competitors, both in the motorcycle division. The first was South African motorcyclist Elmer Symons, who was competing in the rally for the first time, on the fourth stage between Er Rachidia and Ouarzazate. He was the 47th competitor to die taking part in the Dakar. The second death occurred on the 14th and penultimate stage; French motorcyclist Eric Aubijoux was found dead 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the finish line in Dakar. Initial reports indicated he had suffered a fatal heart attack. Later investigations indicated he had been involved earlier in an accident with another vehicle.

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