Empty Quarter: The Extreme Dakar Rally Stage

The Dakar Rally and Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter

In the heart of Saudi Arabia lies a vast and enigmatic desert known as the Empty Quarter, or "Rub' al Khali" in Arabic. This desert, one of the largest and most inhospitable in the world, has long been a mystery for adventurers and a challenge for rally raid enthusiasts. The Dakar Rally, famous for its toughness and for pushing the limits of drivers and machines, found in the Empty Quarter the perfect stage for its Saudi edition.

History of the Empty Quarter

The Empty Quarter, which spans parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, is a desert of dunes that stretches over some 650,000 square kilometers. With temperatures that can exceed 50°C and dunes reaching 250 meters in height, it is a place where only the bravest and best-prepared dare to venture.

Historically, this desert was crossed by nomadic Bedouins, who knew the secrets to surviving in such a harsh environment. However, modernity brought new ways to explore this vast desert, and rallying has become one of them.

Origin of the Name "Empty Quarter"

The name "Empty Quarter" is a translation of its Arabic name, "Rub' al Khali," which literally means "The Empty Quarter" or "The Uninhabited Quarter." This name reflects the desolate and nearly uninhabited nature of this vast desert region, a place extremely challenging for human life and symbolic of isolation.

The Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia

The Dakar Rally, which began in 1978 as a race from Paris to Dakar, Senegal, has become an icon of motorsport. After moving to South America in 2009 due to safety concerns in Africa, the rally found a new home in Saudi Arabia in 2020.

The choice of Saudi Arabia as the host of the Dakar Rally was no accident. The country offers varied topography, including mountains, valleys, and, of course, the challenging Empty Quarter. This desert has become the heart of the race, providing stages that are a true test of endurance for the competitors.

Challenges and Adventures in the Empty Quarter

Competing in the Empty Quarter is a unique experience. Drivers and their teams must face extreme conditions, navigating through a sea of dunes that seems endless. Navigation becomes a crucial challenge, and physical and mental endurance is tested at every stage.

Despite these challenges, or perhaps because of them, the Empty Quarter has become a favorite for both veteran drivers and new participants in the Dakar Rally. The desolate beauty of the desert, combined with the adrenaline of the competition, creates an unforgettable experience.

The Empty Quarter presents a challenge to competitors while offering a unique opportunity to experience the majesty and vastness of the desert. This place has become a symbol of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, showcasing human resilience in overcoming the harshest environments and prevailing.