History 1980s

1982 Paris–Dakar Rally (France–Algeria–Mali–Senegal)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1982 Paris–Dakar Rally (France–Algeria–Mali–Senegal)

Date: January 1–20, 1982

Start Location: Paris, France

Finish Location: Dakar, Senegal

Total Distance: 5,921.5 km

Surface: Gravel, sand, and desert terrain

The 1982 Paris–Dakar Rally continued its reputation as the ultimate test of human and mechanical endurance. Spanning nearly 6,000 kilometers through Europe and across the Sahara Desert, this fourth edition of the rally attracted adventurers, amateurs, and manufacturers chasing glory in one of motorsport’s most grueling events.

Route

Algerian Sahara: Endless dunes, camel grass, and sandstorms tested navigation and drivetrain durability.

Malian Plateaus: Rocky trails and heat pushed suspensions to their limits.

Senegal River Region: Final leg featured quicker pistes and bush tracks leading to Dakar’s coastline.

The rally started in Paris and ventured south through France before crossing into Africa via Algeria. From there, competitors traversed vast and punishing landscapes:

Navigation errors, mechanical failures, and exhaustion eliminated many entrants—highlighting the survivalist nature of the Dakar Rally.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner

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2nd Place

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3rd Place

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Navigation & Challenges

Desert Navigation: GPS was non-existent—riders relied on compass, maps, and gut instinct.
Mechanical Failures: Long stages in heat and sand wrecked differentials, radiators, and clutches.
Isolation and Risk: Teams faced days without contact; rescue and recovery could take hours or days.

The 1982 Paris–Dakar Rally exemplified the raw spirit of rally raid racing—where improvisation, toughness, and endurance mattered more than horsepower alone.

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