On January 19, the 2013 Dakar Rally held the final stage between La Serena and Santiago, Chile and finished the race in Santiago. The 14 days and 14 stages of the race ended.
Today's 346 km SS started after the competitors drove to the south from La Serena via a liaison of 122 km. However, a neutralized zone was set from the 111 km point to the 331 km point, where the competitors drove through an untimed paved road as a competition. Then, only the final 15 km stretch took place in a forested area between the mountains.
Today, at the time of the start of the special stage, low clouds moved into the La Serena area. Therefore, the helicopters that usually monitor the race could not fly, and the race was delayed for 1 hour and 10 minutes. The first half of today's route was mainly at high speeds on a gravel piste where the competitors drove through winding hills, and the second half took place in a forested area with continuous tight corners. Although the final stage was a short and high-speed course, each vehicle continued to put all their efforts into the competition up to the finish line.
After the special stage was completed, each vehicle reached Santiago via a liaison of 158 km. The participants have now completed all stages of the 2013 Dakar Rally.
Tomorrow on January 20, a final podium ceremony is going to be held here in Santiago.