Chile pulls out of 2016 Dakar due to floods

Chile is pulling out of the 2016 Dakar Rally, due to flash floods that have hit the northern, desert region of the country.

Although several months away from the rally, the Chilean government has had no choice but to pull out of the 2016 Dakar Rally, deciding to focus on rebuilding and rehabilitation of displaced residents.

"We have carefully followed the situation and hope that despite these disasters, the region of the Atacama Desert and the cities that were affected regain their vigor," said Dakar Director Etienne Lavigne.

"But the many reconnaissance trips that are necessary, in collaboration with the many Chilean administrative services, cannot be carried out according to the calendar we have planned," he added.

Chile has been an integral part of the desert rally event since the Dakar moved to South America from Africa in 2009 due to security problems. Now, the Chilean government says it will not spend about $7 million to host legs of the three-week rally, with the money being better used for rebuilding areas devastated by the floods.

In January 2015, the Dakar Rally stages covered legs in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. It’s not clear how the rally will be re-routed for the 2016 edition. An official announcement is expected on April 16.