BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people overwhelmed the capital of Argentina on Friday to see the vehicles competing in the first Dakar Rally in South America.
Rally organizers expected 500,000 to cram the parade route past the Obelisk in Plaza de Republica and along Avenida 9 de Julio, said to be the world's widest avenue.
The vehicles headed to a park in Palermo, where the rally will officially begin Saturday with a 456-mile stage south to Santa Rosa in the Pampas.
The 30th Dakar Rally — and the first outside Africa — features 177 cars, 217 motorcycles, 81 trucks and 25 quad bikes with drivers from 49 countries.
View Comments
After 14 stages and 5,950 miles, it will finish on Jan. 18 in Buenos Aires.