Dakar Rally 'to remain in Latin America'

The Dakar Rally will continue to be held in Latin America for the next few years, the director of the off-road race has announced.

Presenting the 2013 edition of the event, Etienne Lavigne said of the decision: "In the first place, because they've received us very well and have given us all the facilities. But also because it's inconceivable at the moment to go back to Africa."

At the moment the race travels through Argentina, Chile and Peru, but Lavigne said they had been talking to Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Ecuador about incorporating those countries.

"But nothing's been finalised. There are political contacts and we've surveyed the terrain in some areas," he explained.

The 2013 Dakar Rally will start in Lima, Peru, on January 5 and end in Santiago, Chile, two weeks later.

Last year the rally generated around $70 million in direct revenue for Peru, according to Gabriela Gutierrez, president of the Peruvian Tourism Ministry's Dakar Commission, and she expects that to double next year.