Due to the huge disappointment of this years Dakar Rally cancellation, Amaury Sport Organisation, which runs the Dakar has found an alternative event to be held in Central Europe.
The Dakar is an infamously tough event on both man and machine. If the harsh, arid terrain and environment wasn’t enough for the competitors, the political instability of the many countries included on route must test the organisers to the limit.
And unfortunately this was the case for this years planned Dakar as a Terrorist threat closed the whole show down. Not to be deterred, Amaury Sport Organisation appears to have quickly resolved the situation which will please many fans, competitors and sponsors alike.
The rally, scheduled to run from the 20th to the 26th of April, will be staged in Romania and Hungary and promises to provide a completely contrasting backdrop to the dunes of the Sahara. The prospect of greater media coverage and spectator access has encouraged many of the major teams such as; BMW, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Schlesser and KTM to give their support. Roll on April.
Dakar changed to Central Europe Rally
Starts in April
Press Release (Click to expand)
Amaury Sport Organisation announces the creation of the Central Europe Rally. This new rally organised under the « Dakar Series » certification will take place from April 20th to the 26th in Hungary and Romania. Scrutineering and administrative checks will take place on 19th of April in Budapest.
The Central Europe Rally, between Budapest and Lake Balaton in Hungary, crossing Romania, will consist of an extremely varied and technical route. Nearly half of the total distance, 3000kms, will be run in special stages. The opening of entries is planned on 11th of February. A.S.O has already received the support of all the major teams. BMW, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Schlesser and KTM have already shown a great interest for this new event, image of the development that A.S.O. wishes to bring to the sport.
The Central Europe Rally will be the first event to be run under the “Dakar Series” certification. This certification will be given to other races that offer the same high organisation and safety standards, strong participation and media attention as the legendary Dakar. With the Central Europe Rally (*), the aim of A.S.O. is to enable the competitors of the Dakar, which was cancelled on 2008, to enter a new rally with some extremely advantageous conditions and offer their sponsors exposure in a major international event.
The “Dakar Series”, which was planned to start in 2009, is a project that A.S.O. has been working on for a long time. It will begin one year ahead of schedule. This first Central Europe Rally is a milestone of a series of new events intended to expand besides the Dakar Rally. The 2009 Dakar edition will be announced in the weeks to come.
(*) Due to terrorist threats, the 2008 Dakar edition was cancelled. Unfortunately last Friday a new terrorist attack happened again in Nouakchott (Mauritania)
Comments
radmeister
February 8, 2008 11:12 PM
Lekz
February 9, 2008 1:40 AM
joelynn
February 9, 2008 12:41 PM
dcars62
February 9, 2008 3:26 PM
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