'Dakar' may run in South America

The cancellation of the Dakar Rally for the first time in its 30-year history could result in a move for the event to South America.

The Amaury Sport Organisation, which runs the rally-raid, called off the 16-day event on the ”firm recommendation” of the French government 24 hours before the start in Lisbon on January 5. The government had advised against travel to Mauritania, through which the rally route was due to pass, after the death of four French tourists in December was linked to Al-Qaeda.

ASO officials have visited the Por Las Pampas event in Argentina and Chile, with a view to capitalising on the region’s greater political stability.