Chile looking forward to the 2013 Dakar

The Chilean authorities held a press conference near the Copiapo bivouac. In keeping with tradition, since 2009 the rest day has been an opportunity for ministers concerned by the passage of the rally to meet and greet the participants, as well as to show their gratitude for the general effort made by the race organizers and their local contacts, in this case the city of Copiapo and the Atacama region.

"Muchísimas gracias a todos", said the assistant secretary of the National Sports Institute, Gabriel Ruiz Tagle, who also stressed the impact the arrival of the 2013 rally to Santiago, the capital of the country. Ministry of Economy and Tourism Pablo Longueira highlighted the economic windfall generated by the Dakar and showed his satisfaction with the selection of Santiago as the finish of the 35th edition. He then took the wheel of Fernando Le¢n's mixed gas/petrol-fuelled car (no. 348) and went for a quick drive on nearby dunes.