9th Thousand Casbahs rally, over 2,000 km in southern natural landscape

A Moroccan local mechanic sport association and Spanish "Nomada" club are holding next April 8-13 the 9th "Thousand Casbahs" rally, an international sporting event combining competition and tourism.

The race to depart from and arrive in Ouarzazate (southern Morocco) will cross several southern towns, taking participants on their 4x4 cars on an exotic trip that also challenges their orientation skills.

Some 36 cars, 72 pilots from Europe and Morocco have to date confirmed participation.

Organizers explained at a press conference that the race is not a speed competition but an exotic adventure in the most beautiful Sahara landscapes, oases and other tourism sites and a test of orientation skills.

The previous edition set out from Meknes and covered around 3,000 km to reach the city of Ouarzazate.