Dakar: News and Discussion Thread
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Confused
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From: SoCal
Dakar: News and Discussion Thread
Glad for Tivo. Going to be in Ecuador for the next 2-1/2 weeks and would hate to miss this. It is the sign of the new year to me. Would love to see Carlos Sainze get the overall win. He is off to a good start by winning the first two stages. Robbie Gordon will be fun to watch in the desert sages in his Hummer. (Bet he rolls the SOB)
http://www.olntv.com/nw/article/view...=true&catID=76
http://www.olntv.com/nw/article/view...=true&catID=76
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Dakar 2008 - Canceled
The 2008 Dakar Rally has been canceled due to terrorist threats made by Al Qaeda to event organizers ASO.
Four French tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Mauritania last week, and the French government warned the ASO that the risk of new attacks could not be discarded.
The ASO also insisted that the future of the event is not under threat despite the cancellation of the 2008 edition. Below is the organizers’ full statement.
"Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th 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 organizations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by ASO.
"ASO's 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. ASO 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.
"ASO condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world's 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, ASO 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 ASO will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports."
Four French tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Mauritania last week, and the French government warned the ASO that the risk of new attacks could not be discarded.
The ASO also insisted that the future of the event is not under threat despite the cancellation of the 2008 edition. Below is the organizers’ full statement.
"Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th 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 organizations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by ASO.
"ASO's 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. ASO 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.
"ASO condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world's 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, ASO 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 ASO will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports."
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6G TLX-S
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From: YVR
Originally Posted by F-C
I'm surprised they canceled the whole thing. In previous years, they had to cancel certain stages that had potential attacks. Why couldn't they just cancel the stages in Mauritania?
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The regulations for the 2009 Dakar have been released by the ASO. The following is a prototype vehicle based on the new "terrorist proof" specifications. In addition, each vehicle will now have three crew members. A driver, a navigator, and a gunner.
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Originally Posted by F-C
The regulations for the 2009 Dakar have been released by the ASO. The following is a prototype vehicle based on the new "terrorist proof" specifications. In addition, each vehicle will now have three crew members. A driver, a navigator, and a gunner.
6G TLX-S
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From: YVR
Originally Posted by West6MT
Time bonus for taking out a few terrorists during a stage?
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From: Toronto
Originally Posted by Edward'TLS
I don't think they're stupid enough to stand beside the rally routes for the good guys to shoot at. All they do is to setup roadside bombs in the middle of the night and off they hide, just like in Iraq and Afgan.
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Dakar 2009...in America
As expected, the Amaury Sport Organization, sanctioning body for the Dakar Rally, has moved the off-road event from North Africa to South America for 2009, in light of the terrorist threats that forced the cancellation of this year’s event.
Argentina and Chile will host the 2009 Dakar Rally (the traditional name will apparently remain) from January 3-18, with Buenos Aires as the start and finish city, organizers announced. The event will incorporate some 3700 miles of special stages over a 5500-mile course.
Dominique Serieys, head of Mitsubishi Motorsport, indicated the company would likely remain involved in the relocated event.
“I leave at the end of the week for Japan to present the new project and Mitsubishi will announce its decision at end of February-beginning March,” Serieys told the AFP news agency. “In principle we’re very interested.
“We know the quality of the organization of ASO and the media attention given to the event. It was necessary to take a break in Africa given the geopolitical context there. The fact the resumption is on a new continent is good news.”
The move comes after the 2008 Dakar Rally was canceled for the first time since the beginning of its current iteration in 1979, due to security concerns after four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania on December 24.
Argentina and Chile will host the 2009 Dakar Rally (the traditional name will apparently remain) from January 3-18, with Buenos Aires as the start and finish city, organizers announced. The event will incorporate some 3700 miles of special stages over a 5500-mile course.
Dominique Serieys, head of Mitsubishi Motorsport, indicated the company would likely remain involved in the relocated event.
“I leave at the end of the week for Japan to present the new project and Mitsubishi will announce its decision at end of February-beginning March,” Serieys told the AFP news agency. “In principle we’re very interested.
“We know the quality of the organization of ASO and the media attention given to the event. It was necessary to take a break in Africa given the geopolitical context there. The fact the resumption is on a new continent is good news.”
The move comes after the 2008 Dakar Rally was canceled for the first time since the beginning of its current iteration in 1979, due to security concerns after four French tourists were murdered in Mauritania on December 24.
Thread Starter
Confused
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SoCal
Thread Starter
Confused
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 235
From: SoCal
Thread Starter
Confused
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,005
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From: SoCal
Dakar!
Thought I would post it here also.
Starting 1-4-09 on VS.
http://www.dakar.com/
http://www.versus.com/nw/article/mdv...=true&d1=DAKAR
Starting 1-4-09 on VS.
http://www.dakar.com/
http://www.versus.com/nw/article/mdv...=true&d1=DAKAR
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From: Toronto
tire ownage!!!
Thread Starter
Confused
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From: SoCal
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From: Toronto
I would kill to get WRC.
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Confused
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The Montero/Pajero isn't in the Dakar anymore. This year, the model is the Racing Lancer. Doesn't make any sense, since it barely shares any resemblence to the Lancer. Of course, the Dakar Race Touareg barely looks like a road Touareg, too.
Thread Starter
Confused
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Safety Car
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VW won 2009 Paris Dakar Rally Putting an end to Mistsubishi Dream Run.
It is considered the world harshest test for Auto Manufacturer to Pass.
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3953790,00.html
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,3953790,00.html
