In 1997, the organisation innovated. First in the course, with the development of a totally new route. From Dakar to Agadez, the competitors crossed from West Africa to the east, before taking the reverse path to Lake Rose. Return to Dakar… and to the spirit of the Dakar: from then on the regulations prohibited factory prototypes of the T3 category. This meant a return to the sources after a long escalation of costs. Human performance, driving and navigation recovered their rights. Between 4X4s from mass production models and two-wheeled motorised buggies, the battle raged. The intervals were at a minimum, the risks taken by the teams to make the difference were at a maximum. This did not prevent Jutta Kleinschmidt from becoming the first woman victor in a stage of the Dakar in 1997. Feminine intuition without a doubt… “All my opponents came to congratulate me”, the German swore. “At that moment, besides enormous joy, I felt enormous friendship. For that the Dakar is magnificent.”

In 1998, for its twentieth anniversary, the Dakar revived the tradition with a departure from Paris, then the mythical crossing of France via the “Nationale 20”. The test also rediscovered the spirit of bygone days with the Dunes of Mauritania. As for the competitors, they revived the hard labour that made legends of their predecessors, pioneers in the adventure of the sands. Following three marathon stages between Zerouat and Taoudenni, only 88 motorbikes, 50 cars and 26 trucks took off from Gao. There were twice as many at the start! The 22nd running of the rally offered a big surprise: for the first time the rally crossed Africa from the West to the East, from Senegal into Egypt. The number signed up (400), constantly increasing since 1993, reflected the enthusiasm that this route generated and the return to the sources undertaken over several years. But the race was just a little clouded by the terrorist threats that weighed it down and the organisers, concerned with ensuring the safety of all the competitors, decided to set up an airlift in the middle of the route. The 2001 race marked the summit of this powerful return of the fundamental values of the Dakar. The “traditional” route, from north to south, made it possible for the T.S.O. to innovate concerning the stages, with many new features. Numerous changes were on the programme, in particular the decision to reduce the air-borne assistance (mechanics) by placing the accent on assistance vehicles on the course. Victorious in one stage in 1997, Kleinschmidt made a name for herself in general this time. We’re back to square one. The legend of the Dakar is moving forward again! early 1990's Since 2000