Please fill me in. This article says this is the 27th year for the Dakar rally, but I seem to recall a Paris to Dakar rally going on since the early 20's. ??
From the "official" rally website:
The Dakar from the beginning
1977, Thierry Sabine gets lost in the Libyan desert whilst participating in the Abidjan- Nice Rally. Found in extremis he returns to France subjugated by the desert. He vows to share this passion with a maximum of people and has one objective in mind: to transport everyone into this immensity of sand.
He imagines a route starting in Europe, crossing the most mythical deserts and finishing in Dakar. The project takes shape quickly. The Paris-Dakar opens upon an unknown world in which Thierry Sabine appears like a real pioneer. Son credo is: “A challenge for those who go. A dream for those who stay behind.” Africa remains one of the continents people dream most about and which is multifaceted.
The first year
On the 26th of December 1978 Thierry Sabine sees his dream come true and it is from the Place du Trocadéro that the first Paris-Dakar sets off. 170 competitors are at the start and set off on an adventure for a 10 000 kilometre race over the routes of Algeria, Niger, Mali, Haute-Volta and Senegal. The most widely covered race of the end of the 80' years is launched. It's particularity lies in it's contrasts: a civilisation of traditional villages with dried mud walls, opens out for an instant on a modern world.
The first motorbike winner is a young man named Cyril Neveu (Yamaha). As yet still unknown, he will from this moment on continue to accumulate sporting performances. Moreover he recognises with hindsight: “I was 21 years old, I already had experience of Africa through the Abidjan-Nice. I was like all the others, a novice behind the handlebars of his 500 XT. Without the leather saddlebags…”. For this first experience, the sporting exploit, the self discovery and the surpassing of one's own limits are already on the first ground. This first Dakar definitely changed the life of every competitor.
It is to be noted that from the very first edition Hubert Auriol, is present. Through this race, he hopes to experience powerful moments; it is a real interior adventure; his interest for the rally is furthermore doubled as not only is Hubert Auriol a motorbike enthusiast, but having lived there for 12 years, Africa also holds for him a special attraction.
NB: This history is unfortunately not exhaustive. For further information, please contact the Press Department.