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Dakar 2008

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Great info thanks

Happy 2008 see you soon at one of the rally"s:thumb

Michael
126360
Loonie-Tic
Seeyou at the return to Trenton Rally.:buds :bikes :bar :beer
 
As at 21st November, 245 motorbikes, 20 quads, 205 cars, and 100 trucks have registered for the 30th Dakar Rally. So after the 510 vehicles registered for the 2007 rally, 2008 is going to set a new benchmark, with 570 teams all ready to defy the stopwatch.

In addition, the Dakar’s international character is once again being confirmed still further, with amongst others an Indian, a Namibian, a Guatemalan, a Kenyan, some Kazakhs, and some Chinese. This year, the Dakar family is being extended to 50 nationalities.

What’s more, once again this year a large number of people are attempting the adventure for the first time – there’ll be 40% of “rookies” on bikes and 18% in cars. And it’s important to underline the trend towards younger competitors – almost half the competitors are aged under 40.

For the last four years, the Dakar has already been full by June. So for the 2008 event, the rally teams have introduced a selection procedure, to mitigate the severity of the “first come, first served” principle. This year, applications were open between 15th May and 22nd June, to allow prospective competitors to put the finishing touches to their plans. The period allowed has given desert-lovers the chance to show their enthusiasm, obliging the organization to refuse quite a number of applications, in order to maintain good race conditions, both from a sporting point of view, and also in terms of safety, and comfort in the bivouac.


I found only four BMW competitors:

45 PAYEN Hugo (FRA) BMW 650

63 MATESANZ MERINO Pedro (ESP) BMW C650 XCH

75 PAU Soler (ESP) BMW E65X

117 FABER Guido (DEU) BMW TOURATECH G 650

http://www.gfaber.de/
http://www.marathonrally.com/news/dakar_2008_privateer_to_tackle_dakar_on_bmw_xchallenge.8550.0.html




Voni
sMiling
 
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I found only four BMW competitors:

45 PAYEN Hugo (FRA) BMW 650

63 MATESANZ MERINO Pedro (ESP) BMW C650 XCH

75 PAU Soler (ESP) BMW E65X

117 FABER Guido (DEU) BMW TOURATECH G 650
Geez, Voni. I thought you were retired. What are you doing posting at 6:40 AM? :)
 
Only 4 BMW's

I am dissappointed to see only 4 BMW's in the race. Back in the days 20 years or so ago BMW's rulled and it helped creat the very successful GS/PD line. Now they have to call it the GS Adv. line. I guess KTM took the wind out of their sails. Seems like the 800 would be a natural for it. . . maybe next year. Now the focus of BMW is in the GNCC. Very competitive race but they are pushing the 450/650 single enduros or dual sports. Good or bad their marketing is shifting. . .I guess they thing us old farts are hooked on Adventure touring already and they need a new market.

gpodzo
 
Geez, Voni. I thought you were retired. What are you doing posting at 6:40 AM? :)

Being retired means I get to enjoy the glorious sunrises of the Big Bend.

I'm not exhausted all the time ; ) Life is good!

Besides, after all of those years of early morning rising for high school duties,
it's a hard habit to break.

Voni
sMiling
 
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Voni
sMiling
 
focus.de
Dakar Rally
Angst vor Terroristen Fear of terrorists
Das franz?Âsische Au?ƒenministerium hat die Organisatoren der Rallye Dakar vor Terroristen in Mauretanien gewarnt, nachdem dort vier Touristen an Heiligabend erschossen worden waren. The French Foreign Ministry, the organizers of the Dakar Rally in Mauritania before terrorists warned after four tourists on Christmas Eve had been shot

Now the German online newspaper Focus is reporting:
Dakar 2008
Rally completely cancelled
The 30th Edition of the Dakar rally is for security reasons, has been cancelled
 
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focus.de
Dakar Rally
Angst vor Terroristen Fear of terrorists
Das franz?Âsische Au?ƒenministerium hat die Organisatoren der Rallye Dakar vor Terroristen in Mauretanien gewarnt, nachdem dort vier Touristen an Heiligabend erschossen worden waren. The French Foreign Ministry, the organizers of the Dakar Rally in Mauritania before terrorists warned after four tourists on Christmas Eve had been shot

Now the German online newspaper Focus is reporting:
Dakar 2008
Rally completely cancelled
The 30th Edition of the Dakar rally is for security reasons, has been cancelled

Yes, it has been cancelled. There is a 3 page thread about it on the ADV forum.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=298728 :(
 
From the Official Dakar site:

http://www.dakar.com/indexus.html

Lisbon, Friday the 4th of January 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally

After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and SenegalÔÇÖs capital.

Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.

A.S.O.ÔÇÖs first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.

A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the worldÔÇÖs biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.

The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.
Voni

 
This just in:

"Winner Declared for the 2008 Dakar!!!!"






The Islamic fascists won. By getting the race cancelled, they've won. They've achieved their goal. Hunt them down. Hunt them down and kill them.. now.



RW
 
Ah, I see I posted to the wrong end of this thread. I've been scooped already.
-Marty
 
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