Bolivia Expecting 2018 Dakar Rally To Have Economic Impact Of $149M

The 2018 Dakar Rally is expected to have an economic impact of around $149M on Bolivia, national Minister of Culture & Tourism Wilma Alanoca Mamani said, according to MUNDO DEPORTIVO. The latest projection is up from the previous projection of $140M, Alanoca Mamani added. She said that the stages of the race that take place in Bolivia "benefit the transportation, hotel and restaurant industries." Alanoca Mamani added that "the visibility the race gives to the country increases the number of tourists, generating increased spending" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 11/29). AUTOSPORT reported André Villas-Boas, the former manager of Chelsea and Tottenham, will participate in the 2018 Dakar Rally. He will compete behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux in the car category, "with former motorcycle class frontrunner Ruben Faria joining him as co-driver" (AUTOSPORT, 11/29).