Dakar Rally 2011: first time in history involving electric cars

The 2011 edition of the Dakar Rally, motor sport competition world's largest, will have among its newest attractions, the share of electric cars.

The news was confirmed on the Thursday night rally by the authorities of that explained the existence of a new category to be added to those already known: autos, trucks, motorcycles and ATVs.

This is an important technical novelty referred from the creation of a new category for vehicles with alternative energy sources, including: electric, hybrid or biofuel.

Anyway, is not yet fully defined the technical regulation, but competitors are known to be integrated into the overall list and ranked in a specific category.

For its part, to six months for the start of the competition engine, the previous estimates, expect the economic impact that the rally will generate in the countries of Argentina and Chile (which will host the third time) will grow between 15 and 20 percent compared to the 2010 edition, where Argentina won more than $ 120 million, a significant number considering that paid six million dollars for the right seat.

Finally, regarding the impact this new media will generate is estimated to exceed 1153 hours of television coverage which are valued at U.S. $ 390 million.