 It is similar in format to the Dakar Rally in that it takes place in desert conditions and cars, trucks, and motorcycles are all permitted to compete.The first Pharaohs Rally was held in 1982 from an idea of Jean-Claude Morellet.In 1998 the organization was taken over by JVD, a company managed by Jacky Ickx, Vincenzo Lancia and Daniele Cotto, and the name was changed to Pharaons International Cross Country Rally.