Atacama Race is born from a return to motorcycles and a respect for the environment.
The new Cross-Country Rally championship, produced by Atacama Rides and based in the Atacama Region, brings motorcycles back into the mix alongside cars and UTVs. At the launch ceremony, organizers emphasized their unwavering commitment to environmental respect and their intention to open the event to community participation.
With the aim of returning Cross-Country Rallying to its roots—combining the sport with social and environmental aspects— the Atacama Race championship has been launched; the first of its five rounds will take place in Caldera in March. The championship will continue in Copiapó (June 6–11), Vallenar (August 8–10), and Antofagasta (October 3–5), with the final round scheduled for November 28 in a city yet to be determined.
Regional, municipal, and sports officials attended the launch event held at the Tikay Suite Hotel in Copiapó. During the event, the Atacama Association expressed its pride in once again providing a platform for motorcycles—noting that they had lacked the recognition they deserve since 2019—while emphasizing community involvement and environmental respect. "I am excited about this, as Chile has been without a motorcycle rally championship for about five years. We are developing the event in collaboration with both the Chilean Motorcycling Federation and FADECh (Chilean Motor Sports Federation), ensuring we meet the highest standards for safety and environmental certification. We are also highly motivated by our ongoing engagement with authorities to create a race that connects with the community—integrating local entrepreneurs and schools—so that this sporting celebration is truly for everyone," stated Felipe Prohens, the Championship's General Producer.
Prohens, a former national cross-country rally champion who delivered outstanding performances in the Dakar, stated that they aim to stand out for their environmental stewardship. “One of the key pillars is educating people about the value of the desert and demonstrating that things can be done right. We want the communities where the races take place to feel proud, because we won’t be an event that just shows up, races, and leaves. Beyond the fact that we are from the region, we want the benefits of these races to remain here,” Prohens added.
International
The Copiapó event, scheduled for June 6–11, will be produced in conjunction with the Argentine championship and will count towards the Latin American Cross-Country Rally Championship. To this end, the Atacama Association is already working with Juan Pablo Sisterna, who is responsible for—among other events—the South American Rally Race, an event that has been dubbed the “New Dakar of South America.”
“This partnership with our Argentine neighbors promises to be a very significant event. Hosting an international race in Copiapó once again is very important because, as Felipe (Prohens) said, the idea is to open up to the community so that everyone can participate,” commented Victor Hugo Caballero, president of the Atacama Association.
For his part, Juan Pablo Sisterna expressed his satisfaction at having traveled to Chile to seal the agreement. “I am very happy to be here in Chile and grateful for the invitation to the presentation of the Atacama Race. It will be great to see motorcycles—and trucks—in the Chilean desert; that is something that hasn't happened in a long time. As the organization behind the Argentine Championship, we are supporting this new initiative and joining a sporting movement that extends beyond Chile to include Argentina, Brazil, and all of Latin America, especially since we will be hosting a round of the Latin American championship here. After 11 years, it is a major challenge for us to step outside our own country, integrate with another organization, and work to ensure the sport continues to grow and that Rally Raid remains a fixture in this part of the world for many years to come,” Sisterna stated.
Legality
As the organizers highlighted during the launch, one of their key priorities is conducting all activities within the legal framework—both sporting and national. “To integrate with the community, we need all the necessary permits. They are all important: the sporting permits issued by motorcycle and automobile federations, as well as the national permits from state authorities—whether for the use of public spaces or for the protection of heritage and the environment. That is why the presence of authorities at this launch is so significant,” commented Caballero, president of the Atacama Association.
“We are very pleased to participate here, at the invitation of Atacama Race, for the launch of this championship and this Latin American event. This international competition with our Argentine neighbors—which, provided all the necessary steps are met, will take place in this beautiful land—showcases Atacama’s natural amphitheaters and magnificent dunes, offering an ideal setting for the event to be held successfully,” stated Germán Acuña Álvarez, Regional Director of the National Sports Institute of Atacama.
Meanwhile, Caldera councilman Jason Gaete expressed his satisfaction at hosting an international event. “A wonderful celebration awaits us for the 2025 season. I also want to mention how proud we are to see motorcycles return to this national Cross-Country Rally championship. We are very excited—both for the new generations of riders and, of course, for the established ones—to have a championship that meets the requirements set by the authorities, bringing motorsports and this celebration closer to the community.”
Competition Schedule
1st Caldera March 21 to 23
2nd Copiapó June 6–11 (Latin American)
3rd Vallenar August 15–17
4th Antofagasta October 3–5
5th To be confirmed November 28 and 29