Covering the Dakar means becoming part of the adventure. The rally moves every day, taking journalists and contenders on a journey thousands of kilometres long. In order to address the logistical and technical issues inherent in each job, the Dakar press service opens today the accreditation application period for journalists who wish to cover the Dakar. The application forms and the information sheet with data on all the options available can be found in the Media area of the dakar.com website.
The broad lines of the accreditation process are the same as in 2012. Journalists may choose between the “Car Pack” (different prices for journalists and press agents) and the “Airplane Pack”. The application submittal deadline for European media wishing to load a vehicle on the cargo ship for Lima (convening at Le Havre port on November 22–23) is October 31, whereas the deadline for vehicles joining the rally in Lima is November 30. Accreditation applications for journalists travelling by airplane will be studied from November 30 onwards. Applications for one-day accreditations may be sent from early November.
In order to anticipate any details which could take the less experienced by surprise (withdrawing road books, preparing for customs formalities, respecting changes in flight times, etc.), all the journalists covering the entire rally will be asked to attend a briefing on January 4 afternoon in Lima. To make sure everyone is present, press vehicles will now undergo technical and administrative scrutineering according to a strict timetable.
Calendar
Ø September 21: online publication of the accreditation application forms
Ø October 31: deadline for submitting “Car Pack” accreditation applications for European vehicles
Ø November 22–23: loading of European vehicles at Le Havre port
Ø November 30: deadline for submitting “Car Pack” accreditation applications for American vehicles
Ø January 2–4: technical and administrative scrutineering and withdrawal of accreditations in Lima
Ø January 5: start of the 2013 Dakar
