12:58 | Lima, Mar. 16 (ANDINA).
Peru's participation in the 2013 Dakar Rally has been almost confirmed with an official logo displaying the flag and name of the country.
The logo appears on an invitation to a press conference where the rally's organizers, the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), will announce full details of next year's route.
The flags of Argentina and Chile are also shown in the logo, with the latter expected to host the traditional closing podium ceremony in a soon to be announced city.
The rally's official 8,300-kilometer route will be announced in Paris on March 21.
The 2012 Dakar Rally began in Mar del Plata, Argentina, on January 1, and racers reached the finish line in Lima, Peru, on Sunday, January 15.
The event had a positive impact on both the local economy and tourism industry as it helped boost commercial activities related to hotels, restaurants and other services in southern Peru.
Originally known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, the event was moved to South America in 2009 after violence broke out in north Africa.
(END) LLM/RRR/MOC/EEP
Published: 3/16/2012