THE INCOMPARABLE
Incomparable A concept that is unique in every way since 1990
# A concept you will not find Objectif ? anywhere else in the world One of a kind since its creation in 1990, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc is developing a new vision for motor sport: no speed, no GPS, just old-school navigation, completely off road. The Rallye in Gazelle mode Objective: Reach a number of required checkpoints while driving the shortest possible DISTANCE. Speed is not a criterion. Route: Teams are given only the geographic coordinates of the checkpoints they must reach and are free to choose their own route. Tools: Using only a compass, a plotter and maps, competitors use traditional navigation techniques. Driving the shortest possible distance with no requirement for speed: in 1990, we laid the foundation for the principle of eco-driving. 3
Alone in the desert 100% off-road . Prohibited from following each other, each team makes its own route. Cut off from the world and no GPS No mobile phones allowed. No GPS , just a map of the desert and a compass. Strategic choices to make Drive in a straight line and risk having problems on the difficult terrain, or go around the obstacle and receive additional penalty kilometres? An intense experience 9 days of competition . 10- to 12-hour days spent driving and navigating. Teams sleep in their tents in the Moroccan desert, at the bivouac or on their own. 4
# A rally that has always been innovative… In 1990, Dominique Serra was a young entrepreneur who had just started her own communications agency. The Haute-Marne Chamber of Commerce and Industry entrusted her with a task that she would end up pursuing all her life: to promote the courage, daring and strength of women. She proposed to venture into terrain usually reserved for men: the world of rally-raids. This choice was far from insignificant: what better “male” sport than a rally to demonstrate the abilities of women in situations where you wouldn’t expect to find them ? In 1990, the “ Trophée des Gazelles” was born, with 9 teams on the start line. For more than 15 years , Dominique Serra would not allow herself to be discouraged by financial difficulties or criticism. 30 years later, the Rallye is enjoying increasing success. Dominique Serra continues to develop and enhance the event while remaining true to her motto: “ Nothing is obvious, nothing is given. Everything is built.” Gaston Bachelard
…and has been 30 years in the writing 9 teams compete in the 1 st edition of the Trophée des Gazelles 1990 1 st international teams join the event 1992 1998 Moroccan company Aïcha becomes title partner 2001 1 st Cœur de Gazelles medical caravan 2005 Creation of Crossover Class 2005 Introduction of IRITRACK satellite geopositioning system 2006 The Rallye passes the 100 team mark The King of Morocco honours the Rallye with the right to bear the Royal 2009 Coat of Arms The Rallye is certified ISO 14001:2004, becoming the 1 st rally to obtain 2010 environmental management certification. 2012 The Rallye passes the 150 team mark 1 st electric vehicle at the Rallye, creation of E-Gazelle Class 2017 2019 10 teams compete in e-Gazelle Class including 2 buggies Trophée des Gazelles in 1993 – 12 teams on the starting line 6
# Because of its impeccable organization Real-time tracking 24/7 2 helicopters - 55 staff vehicles 322 organizers In a classic rally-raid, competitors advance along a single route that is well-defined and common to all teams. It is easy for organizers to position themselves along this route and check off the teams as they pass the checkpoints. However, at the “Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc”, teams plan their own route depending on their individual strategy , which dramatically expands the playing field. To manage the competition, the Rallye Control Centre has a technological and human armada at its disposal to follow and manage the teams’ progress and respond to calls for assistance. Thanks to the IRITRACK satellite geolocation system installed in the vehicles, the Rallye Control Centre knows the exact position or every vehicle at all times and can deploy technical and medical assistance vehicles, or the medical helicopter if needed. Mechanical assistance is provided by 46 mechanics in 5 mechanics workshops who work through the night to make sure that the competitors are able to pursue their adventure. 7
The bivouac An ephemeral village in the heart of the desert 100 100 people put up and take down the bivouac. The bivouac is moved 4 times during the event. Structures: restaurant tent with seating for 800 people, 500 m² kitchens, mechanics workshops, 3 media tents, 1 medical tent, 3 shower/toilet trailers 14,500 Meals served: provided 24/7 by a staff of 80 cooks and servers 25,000 Bottles of water consumed: these bottles are repurposed to build houses. 20,000 Messages processed and delivered to the Gazelles in the bivouac’s mail tent 50 50 people dedicated to media production (photos, videos, text articles … ) 4 Mb/s Internet speed provided by 3 satellite antennas to allow data transmission +50 Trades/professions represented by the 300 organizers: sport director, marshals, CP setup crew, checkpoint officials, rankings officers, drivers, radio relay crew, mechanics, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, logistics staff, workers, cooks, serving staff, photographers, cameramen, writers, producers, film editors, etc. 8
# Because it has always reconciled motorsport and the environment Since 2010, it is the only motorsport event in the world with ISO 14001:2015 certification Since its creation, the organization of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc has shown great respect for its host country, and is careful to leave no trace of its passage. Following an active presence at COP21 and COP22 , Maïenga was awarded the Tourism and Climate Initiatives Prize by the Moroccan Ministry for Tourism in recognition of the many initiatives the agency has taken to protect the environment. Since 2010, the introduction of an Environmental Management System makes it possible to measure the event’s environmental impact and implement an environmental policy, including: Educating participants, organizers/staff and all other people involved with the • event through the signing of a Charter of Good Environmental Conduct. Educating the local populations through an eco-caravan set up by Cœur de • Gazelles , and replacing polluting single-use plastic bags with reusable cotton shopping bags. Recycling the water bottles consumed during the event to build structures • (day-care centres, craft centres, etc.) and manufacture items. Incinerating non-recyclable waste on site. • Using "cristal" tents with clear panels and low-energy light bulbs at the • bivouac, solvent-free products in the mechanics area, protective tarpaulins on the ground, etc. Systematically offsetting all CO 2 emissions of participants and organizers. • In 2017, Dominique Serra, president and founder of Maïenga, published a white paper entitled “ Rallye Raid et Développement Durable” (“Rally -Raids and Sustainable Development”) . This document summarizes the environmental initiatives put in place in the rally-raid world and possible solutions to make them more environmentally friendly. Read about our actions in our environmental report. 9
A revolution in the world of motor sports The only 100 % electric vehicle class 10
# Because it is the first rally to introduce a 100% electric vehicle class 10 teams competed in e-Gazelle class in 2019, including 2 buggies ! Official start for the e-Gazelles given by HRH Prince Albert II of Monaco in the Principality of Monaco Officially launched by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in front of the royal palace on the occasion of the ceremonial start of the 27 th edition, e-Gazelle Class for 100% electric vehicles signals a new era in the world of rally-raids. In 2018, the test became reality: 6 vehicles crossed the starting line in Monaco in e-Gazelle Class. In 2019, e-Gazelle class continued to flourish with 8 cars and 2 buggies at the start in Monaco, under the auspices of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. 11
# Because it has the support of an entire country… In line with its social and environmental actions, Morocco has been supporting and investing in the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc for many years. His Majesty King Mohammed VI has granted us the immense honour of allowing Rallye participants to bear the Royal Coat of Arms on their vests : a unique distinction. Morocco has hosted, the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles for 30 years. The Moroccan National Tourist Office is an official partner of the event. 2M, Morocco’s leading national broadcasting service and partner of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc since 2006, provides the Rallye with 80 minutes of airtime every year. 10 The number of Moroccan teams taking part in the event each year. 8 The number of Moroccan companies that are official partners of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc.
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