With some pride, the organisers of the Morocco Desert Challenge announce a completely new rallyraid: the TUNISIA DESERT CHALLENGE (5-13 November 2021). No loops around Douz, but a linear course with 8 challenging desert stages, almost 2500 kilometres timed and almost no liaisons. Many years after the Optic2000 and the Rally de Tunisie, the country is back on the international calendar of the rally-raid world.
"We choose this new destination because we want to meet the increasing demand of our participants", says Gert Duson, organiser and inspirer of the Morocco and now also the Tunisia Desert Challenge. "The uncertainty about events in Morocco remains too big. That is why we decided earlier this year to move the MDC to April 2022. At the same time, we were looking for a destination where we could organise an event this year in safe conditions. And that was Tunisia.”
RICH RALLY HISTORY CONTINUES
Tunisia is of course no unknown destination when it comes to rally-raid. The country was one of the birthplaces of rally-raid as we know it today. For years, the Tunisian desert was the battleground of major international rally-raids such as the Optic2000 and the legendary Rallye de Tunisie.
"Partly due to the Arab revolution in 2011, now 10 years ago, these events disappeared from the rally calendar. We are therefore very proud that we can take up this torch again", says Gert Duson.
The Tunisia Desert Challenge also receives the full support of the Minister of Tourism. Also the Tunisian car and motorsport federations and the Tunisian Tourist Office are fully behind the event.
"We see a great willingness on the part of the official bodies to allow this event to take place in the safest conditions possible," adds Gert Duson, "This convinced us to organise this new rally in 2021 and give our participants the opportunity to practice their favourite motor sport."
A RALLY FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING CLASSIC RALLY CARS
The TDC is open to all categories of vehicles: cars, buggies, side-by-sides, trucks and motorcycles/quads. Also new is the Classic category for cars and trucks at least 20 years old. The latter also have the choice of participating in the race or in the regularity group.
Unlike the MDC, which is a 100% amateur rally and where factory teams are not allowed, the TDC offers professional teams the chance to practise one last time before the Dakar (road books and navigation equipment are the same as for the other FIA/FIM competitions).
NOT A PLAN B, BUT AN ANNUAL RALLY-RAID
The Tunisia Desert Challenge is not a one-off alternative or "plan B" for the rally in Morocco.
"We want to make this rally an annual recurring event," Gert Duson reveals. "Tunisia is a hugely challenging destination with a totally different landscape to Morocco. The many dunes and sandy sections will make it a very tough race. That is why we choose to organise this in autumn when the temperatures are more bearable in the desert. Moreover, this is a nice addition to the Morocco Desert Challenge, which we will organise again in April next year."
NO LOOPS BUT A LINEAR COURSE
After a month of reconnaissance, the road books for this new race are currently being finalised. Race director Jean-Claude Kaket, who has 14 Dakar rallies to his credit as a pilot and 10 MDCs as a race director, has drawn up a phenomenal linear course. The technical and administrative inspection and the prologue will start on the island of Djerba on 5 November. After that, the rally caravan will travel through southern Tunisia via bivouacs in Ksar Ghilane, Douz and the Star Wars site at Nefta, before turning north and arriving in Monastir.
"It will be a different terrain than in Morocco: no stone piste, but mainly sand, gravel and dunes," Gert Duson says. "In this way, we want to make this rally the perfect addition to the already existing MDC, yet with sufficient variation in terrain."
Registrations for the Tunisia Desert Challenge opened on 15 July. Meanwhile, the first 250 registrations have already been received.
"The speed with which the registrations are coming in, shows the great desire to drive among the participants", concludes Gert Duson.
Interested? Be sure to surf to www.tunisia-desert-challenge.com.
Source Tunisia Desert Challenge official press release
