[2] Kenjiro Shinozuka, who won the event in 1997, suffered serious injury in an accident between Ghat and Sabha in Libya.

[3][4] Former world rally champion and four times winner of the Dakar Rally, Ari Vatanen, returned to take part in the rally,[5] and won the ninth, thirteen and fifteen stages[6][7][8] French co-driver, Bruno Cauvy died in an accident on the tenth stage when his car went out of control and overturned in sand dunes.

[9][10] Stephane Peterhansel took an early lead in the rally,[11] but was forced out in the penultimate stage by mechanical problems.

[12] The rally was won for the second time in succession by Japanese driver, Hiroshi Masuoka.

[13][14] The motorcycle category was won for the third time by Richard Sainct.