The problems for the organisers were compounded by the fact that many of the drivers had failed to reach Tichit after failing to finish Thursday's seventh stage.

When the stage was cancelled, to be replaced by a liaison run, only 168 vehicles had made it to the finish line after Thursday's gruelling stage of 660km from Zouerat to Tichit.

Under the rules of the race, they have to make the starting point of the ninth stage.

France's defending champion Stephane Peterhansel leads the car race and countryman David Fretigne is in charge of the motorcycle section.

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