Desafío Ruta 40

The Desafío Ruta 40 (English: Route 40 Challenge) is an annual rally raid held in Argentina held intermittently since 2010, and organized by the Argentine Automobile Club (ACA), with the sponsorship of the FIA and the Dakar Rally. The competition constituted the main date of the Argentine Cross Country Rally Championship (CARCC) and was part of the Dakar Series. The race resumed its activity in 2023, being part of the second season of the World Rally-Raid Championship and forming the fourth round within it.

As its name indicated, the test was made up of a variable number of stages along National Route 40, the longest in that country, with more than 5,000 kilometers in length. The competition was held in different categories for cars, motorcycles, ATVs and trucks.

History
In 2010, on the occasion of the Argentina Bicentennial, the Desafío Ruta 40 was organized for the first time, with a complete route of National Route 40, from Cabo Virgenes (Santa Cruz) to La Quiaca (Jujuy), for a total of 5,194 kilometers in nine stages. The success of the competition led to its reiteration in 2011, also with a complete route of the route. The 2012 edition shortened the total route to five stages, starting in San Juan and ending in San Salvador de Jujuy. In 2013, the competition became one of the Dakar Series, consolidating its appeal with more than 125 participants. The route once again joined San Salvador de Jujuy and San Juan, but in a north–south direction. The 2014 edition returned to the south–north format, but starting in Bariloche and ending in San Juan. However, the first two stages were suspended at the last minute due to heavy rain. Catamarca and La Rioja hosted the 2015 edition of the test, while Mendoza, San Juan and La Rioja did so in 2016. In 2017, two independent races were held: the Desafío Route 40 Sur, connecting Neuquén with the Las Grutas de Río Negro resort, and the Desafío Ruta 40 Norte, with a route between San Juan and Tucumán. The race continued in northwest Argentina in 2018, this time from Tucumán to San Juan.

Return
The competition was not held for the following four years, until it was revived as a round of the World Rally-Raid Championship in 2023. The Desafío Ruta 40 was retained for the 2024 season.