Sports/Motorsport/Dakar Rally • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
The 2012 Dakar Rally was the 33rd running of the event. It took place for the fourth consecutive time in South America, starting in Mar del Plata, Argentina, and finishing in Lima, Peru. The rally covered over 8,000 kilometers across Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Cyril Despres won the motorcycle category, Stéphane Peterhansel won the car category for Mini, and Gerard de Rooy won the truck category.
Chronological Storyline (8 Milestones)
Jan 1, 2012 CE
Rally Start in Mar del Plata
The 2012 Dakar Rally began with the first stage starting from Mar del Plata, Argentina, marking the beginning of the grueling South American route.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
Jan 2, 2012 CE
Stage 1 Victory for Al-Attiyah
Defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah won the first stage in the car category, but later faced mechanical issues that significantly impacted his race.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
Jan 5, 2012 CE
Stage 4 Challenges
During the fourth stage, competitors faced difficult terrain in Argentina, with Stéphane Peterhansel taking the lead in the car category, a position he would defend fiercely throughout the rally.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
Jan 8, 2012 CE
Rest Day in Copiapó
The rally reached its rest day in Copiapó, Chile, with Stéphane Peterhansel leading the cars, Cyril Despres leading the motorcycles, and Gerard de Rooy leading the trucks.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
Jan 10, 2012 CE
Stage 8 and Al-Attiyah's Exit
Nasser Al-Attiyah's title defense officially ended during stage 8 when mechanical failures forced him to retire from the rally, leaving Peterhansel with a comfortable lead.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
Jan 14, 2012 CE
Rally Reaches Peru
The rally entered Peru for the final stages, introducing competitors to the massive sand dunes of the Peruvian desert, which tested the navigational skills of all participants.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
Jan 15, 2012 CE
Peterhansel's Tenth Title
Stéphane Peterhansel secured his tenth Dakar Rally victory overall, and his first in the car category since 2007, driving a Mini All4 Racing.
Stephane Peterhansel By Xraid - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7165561
Jan 15, 2012 CE
Final Stage to Lima
The final stage concluded in Lima, Peru, with competitors driving through the streets of the capital to the finish line.
Map of 2012 Dakar Rally track, in French. By File:South america fr.svg: Moyogo derivative work M0tty - Sources of data: Map : File:South america fr.svg Rally track : map from official Dakar Rally website., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17837540
