NPO REVEALS THE ROUTE OF SHAMROCK
RALLY OF MOROCCO 2009

With nearly 2,500 km in 6 days, including 1915 kilometers of selective sections, this rally will be demanding, physically and technically. Composed of steps in loops around Zagora through the mountain tracks, sandy oueds and large ergs of dunes of southern Morocco, the final of the World Championship of Cross Country Rallies 2009 will host more than 150 professional and amateur competitors.

Sunday 25 October 2009: Stage 1
MYSTERIES OF AIT OUZIK: 298,24 Km
Liaisons : 21,02 Km – Selective section (2 loops): 277,22 Km.

First stage short (less than 300 km), extensive, to warm up. The rally begins with 50 kilometers of easy and technical tracks to reach a superb pass. Then the track is wedged between two mountains. The loop ends in a wide plain, with some small dunes to cross. After 30 'neutralization (service park) let’s go to the second round. If navigation is facilitated, steering and settings have to be more precise to "make a difference.

Monday 26 October 2009: Stage 2
THE TRACK OF FORT ZGUILMA: 557,34 Km
Liaisons :218,4 Km – Selective section (2 loops): 338,94 km

This second stage is long but the pace will be high. Without doubt the fastest stage of the rally. We must remain attentive to navigation, although many military forts mark out the route. Departure with off tracks for 17 km before 50 km of technical tracks back to north. Then 70 kilometers of easy tracks very fast, with many parallel : ideal to overtake but attention to dust!

Tuesday 27 October 2009: Stage 3
THE MIRAGES OF IRIKI LAKE: 566,48 Km
Liaisons : 198,60 km – Selective section (2 loops): 367,88 km

The rally took a nice sand color today ... Liaison to M'Hamid by a beautiful and sinuous road sometimes. The special begins with a set of tracks of 35 km with some areas of fesh-fesh. Then, beautiful purple passage with 35 miles through the great dunes of Erg Cheggaga. Off track on the lake Iriki and sandy track to return to the Sacred Oasis. Attention to the navigation back to M'Hamid: the easy track along the erg often changes direction and is sometimes interspersed with clumps of small dunes to cross. Motorcyclists: watch your fuel! A beautiful route, sumptuous landscapes but a long and physical (especially in the second loop ...).

Wednesday 28 October 2009: Stage 4
MINES OF BLEIDA: 448,84 Km
Liaisons : 11,36 km – Selective section (2 loops): 437,48 km

The longest stage of the rally, and probably more brittle. Watch your tyres! or 60 miles, the trail brittle, furrowed by rain, winds along the mountainside, with many passages of oueds. After the mines of Bleïda runway improvement to reach the foothills of Foum Zguid. But beware, many collapses will break the fast pace sometimes. The end of the special is varied: for 40 miles, you will alternate between a easy track sometimes sandy, technical passages, off-track fast, crossing of small dunes to reach the finish.

Thursday 29 October 2009: Stage 5
SANDS OF CHEGGAGA ERG: 509,06 Km
Liaisons : 198,60 km – Selective section (2 loops): 310,46 km

The most beautifull special of the Rally of Morocco 2009! Crossing dunes, navigation, pleasure driving on the sandy track and magical landscapes all the ingredients for a memorable show. But despite of the low mileage of the special day ... this is classified « red »… Start with 50 kilometers of sandy track where your talents for navigation and piloting will be widely sought. Then first off-track through the small dunes before returning to an easy track and its many parallels for 40 miles. Then the hard work begins: 20 kilometers of crossing small and large dunes at Cap 230. For those who go throught, the reward is immediate: a beautiful sandy oued up to follow for 30 kilometers, from well to well, to return to M'Hamid.

Friday 30 October 2009: Stage 6
ACROSS THE DJEBEL TADRA
Liaisons : 84,08 km – Selective section : 182,68 km

Only one loop today to finish in style this Shamrock 2009. The tracks are fast and rolling into northern Tamgroute. They become twisty and sandy and more and more technical going into the Northeast. To return to the south, the special borrows middle mountain slopes to a magnificent giant crater. Visual pleasure guaranteed. To reach the finish of the sixth and final stage, the tracks are varied, sometimes fast with many undulations. Back to Zagora, vehicles are placed in parc ferme, the time for drivers to prepare for the Prize giving dinner and ceremony!