《The toughest race in the world—the Dakar Rally（三级）》
世界各地每年举行的汽车拉力赛名目繁多，你可听说过达喀尔汽车拉力赛?这项比赛被称为世界上最艰苦的比赛。
First run in 1979, the Dakar Rally became recognized as the toughest of the off-road1 events, pushing man and machine to their limits. Covering up to 10,000 kilometers over some of the wildest regions, the Dakar Rally is famous for its difficult conditions. Competitors must face the moving sands and desert winds in the Sahara and endless miles of potholed2 roads, tracks and river beds. The Dakar Rally is traditionally run from Paris to Dakar. Due to various political disturbances3 and wars in some of the countries, the route changes every year.
In 1977, Thierry Sabine a Frenchman, got lost in the Libyan Desert while participating in the Abidjan-Nice Rally. Later he returned to France and decided to share his passion with many people. He had one objective in mind: to transport everyone into this sea of sand. He imagined a route starting in Europe, crossing the most mysterious deserts and finishing in Dakar. The project took shape quickly.
On the 26th of December, 1978 Thierry Sabine saw his dream come true and it was from the Place du Trocadero in Paris that the first Dakar set off. 170 competitors were at the start and set off on an adventure for a 10,000-kilometer race. On the 31st of December, 2005 the Rally left Lisbon, Portugal and arrived in Dakar in Senegal on the 15th January, 2006. Four Chinese drivers took part in the race. 483 vehicles in the race eventually made it to the finish line of the 28th Dakar Rally.
1. off-road adj. 越野的
2. potholed adj. 崎岖不平的
3. disturbance n. 动乱
作者：佚名