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Dakar '08 Cancelled

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by jknight, Jan 4, 2008.

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  1. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
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    Central Texas
    #1 jknight, Jan 4, 2008
    John just heard it on the BBC on his way to work this morning. Such a shame as that's one of the ultimate racing venues but understandable with all the problems.

    Carol

    Here's the latest from Autosport:

    Dakar Rally organisers have said the future of the event is not in danger following the official cancellation of this year's edition.

    The organisers were forced to call the event off this year amid safety fears in Mauritania, where the rally would have spent eight days.

    The French government on Thursday warned against holding stages in Mauritania after three attackers, who authorities suspect are linked to Al Qaeda, killed four French tourists.

    Organisers ASO said they had also received direct threats by terrorist organisations, which left them with no choice but to cancel the rally despite causing "huge frustration" to the participants.

    They said, however, that the future of the event was not at risk.

    "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 organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.," said the organisers in a statement.

    "A.S.O.'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. 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 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, 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."
     
  2. Dino 208gt4

    Dino 208gt4 F1 World Champ

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    #2 Dino 208gt4, Jan 4, 2008
    Very sad!!:(
     
  3. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 tifosi12, Jan 4, 2008
    I hate to say it, but: The terrorists have won.
     
  4. Remy Zero

    Remy Zero Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #4 Remy Zero, Jan 4, 2008
    sigh....


    terrorists should be bombed outta this world...
     
  5. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
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    #5 jknight, Jan 4, 2008
    Hi Andreas - Happy New Year. Very sad and makes you wonder what if anything might be next?!?!

    Carol
     
  6. LightGuy

    LightGuy Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #6 LightGuy, Jan 4, 2008
    Reminds me of when terrorists killed foreign tourists at the Pyramids in Egypt.
    Tourism, a leading Egyptian revenue source, fell off. Causing the government to react to terrorism in a forceful way. Possibly overdoing it ? There is a balance but who determines it.
     
  7. Gilles27

    Gilles27 F1 World Champ

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    #7 Gilles27, Jan 4, 2008
    Hate to read that. It's hard to comment on this without the thread winding up in P & R--very very frustrating!
     
  8. ClassicFerrari

    ClassicFerrari F1 World Champ
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    #8 ClassicFerrari, Jan 4, 2008
    This does suck! :(
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #9 BigTex, Jan 4, 2008
    Nothing a little helicopter gunship cover wouldn't take care of, IMO....one per participant ought to do it.

    I think Blackwater will be looking for work soon, they should call them for a turnkey quotation!

    That would make a great photo..........the gunship rising over the dunes behind the airborne Rally Team......:) :)

    Fighting fire with MORE fire.......;)
     
  10. pacific11

    pacific11 Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2006
    485
    #10 pacific11, Jan 4, 2008
    I wonder if U.S. news networks will report this.

    Euromilhões Dakar cancelled for 2008

    http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/rally/42254/

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

    I was wanting to see Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing with their new 4x4.

    http://www.petersenmotorsports.com/singleItem.asp?ID=356

    http://www.petersenmotorsports.com/singleItem.asp?ID=406

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1h-4WRhpGg

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wD8w0Tmh9Y

    http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dakarpress
     
  11. DennisForza

    DennisForza Formula 3

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    #11 DennisForza, Jan 4, 2008
    They won a battle, but are losing the war.
     
  12. SRT Mike

    SRT Mike Two Time F1 World Champ

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    #12 SRT Mike, Jan 4, 2008
    The Dakar is a pretty good-sized economic and PR boost to the nations that it runs through.

    If any nation cannot guarantee the safety of the participants and the others involved then that nation should be cut out of the Dakar. Yep, I know this means making drastic changes to a historical race, but the blame would fall solely on the nation being cut-out for not being able to provide security. It would be embarassing and would show to the world that they either are supportive of terrorism or impotent to combat it. It would be the best way to ensure it does get taken care of and the Dakar can return to normal as soon as possible.

    Cancelling the race just sets a bad precedent, IMO. Now the terrorists have "won" and will feel emboldened. They will see their success and want to disrupt other races.... F1 in Bahrain, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Turkey..... maybe even races like LeMans.

    IMO a bad move to just cancel the whole Dakar.
     
  13. Eau_Rouge

    Eau_Rouge Karting

    Feb 9, 2006
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    #13 Eau_Rouge, Jan 4, 2008
    With friends and family having been invloved in Dakar editions in the past (and won), I can only say that this is a very sad year. The teams involved must be heartbroken. I know how much work it is to get everything organised for this massive event, and how much this means to the drivers.
     
  14. ClassicFerrari

    ClassicFerrari F1 World Champ
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    #14 ClassicFerrari, Jan 4, 2008
    Although I do agree with you it really is a hard call. If you or someone you knew were about to race and found out that there were confirmed terrorist threats! What would you do?

    It takes huge ones to do this race so I bet the teams were all willing to go either way! :)
     
  15. Kalidengas

    Kalidengas Formula Junior

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    #15 Kalidengas, Jan 4, 2008
    The beginning of the rally was just 30 Km from my home, i have arranged all with my friends (Beers, barbecue,chips,etc,etc).
    Its so sad...
    Terrorists mission: spread sadness and pain all over the world!Once again, they succeed :(
     
  16. Napolis

    Napolis Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 Napolis, Jan 4, 2008
    Very Sad. I have friends who were going to run in the Buggy Class.
     
  17. Eau_Rouge

    Eau_Rouge Karting

    Feb 9, 2006
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    Benelux / France
    #17 Eau_Rouge, Jan 4, 2008
    It's happened a few times before that teams have been taken hostage and shot. Every year it seems that there is something dodgy... yet the rally goes on, so this year must have had a rather serious threat.
     
  18. jk0001

    jk0001 F1 Veteran

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    #18 jk0001, Jan 4, 2008
    The entire world is going crazy. People are out of control.
     
  19. Devilsolsi

    Devilsolsi F1 Veteran
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    #19 Devilsolsi, Jan 4, 2008
    What could possibly be their reasoning behind threats to the rally? Don't the terrorists usually site some political motive for their attacks....what could possibly be their justification for this one?
     
  20. ClassicFerrari

    ClassicFerrari F1 World Champ
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    #20 ClassicFerrari, Jan 4, 2008
    It's a huge event with alot of coverage all over the world. It was an easy message to send. :(
     
  21. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #21 tifosi12, Jan 4, 2008
    +1

    +1
     
  22. pacific11

    pacific11 Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2006
    485
    #22 pacific11, Jan 4, 2008
    more news

    - The Dakar Rally, due to start Saturday, is called off because of security fears

    - The French Government warned of dangers after recent murders in Mauritania

    - The rally was scheduled to pass through Mauritania for a total of nine days

    http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/01/04/motor.dakar/

    earlier news

    http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Dec26/0,4670,MauritaniaTouristsKilled,00.html

    Yahoo picks up the story.

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080104/ts_afp/automotorallydakar_080104150306

    pictures:

    http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Dakar-Rally-canceled-after-terror-threat/ss/events/sp/010408dakarrally/s:/afp/20080104/ts_afp/automotorallydakar_080104150306;_ylt=AmbqFB7AZTr_EhuLFucTyJOGOrgF

    news at Motorsport.com

    http://motorsport.com/news/article.asp?ID=277263

    gobs of pictures

    http://motorsport.com/photos/select.asp?S=CCR&E=Dakar/Truck_preparation&Y=2008&O=84

    http://motorsport.com/photos/ccr/2008/dak/ccr-2008-dak-tm-0840.jpg

    Loprais Tatra Team testing in Tunisia: drivers Ales Loprais, Milan Holan, Ladislav Lala

    http://loprais.com/loprais-eng/
     
  23. DMOORE

    DMOORE Formula 3

    Aug 23, 2005
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    #23 DMOORE, Jan 4, 2008
    I just found this thread. What a bummer. Terrorist 1. Free world 0. It really is one of the greatest races in the world, and to see it cancelled, just stinks.



    Darrell.
     
  24. DGS

    DGS Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    #24 DGS, Jan 4, 2008
    I imagine all the nations that are losing income because of the cancellation will be overjoyed with the terrorists. Watch for reprisals.

    If this is a "win" for terrorists, then remember Omar Bradley's sentiments: "Another victory like this, and I'm dog meat".

    Come to think of it, you wouldn't think islamic terrorists would want to annoy the french.
     
  25. Ferrari250GTO

    Ferrari250GTO Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2006
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    Philadelphia PA
    #25 Ferrari250GTO, Jan 4, 2008
    Personally, I am not a rally fan but I know it is a great event. It is terrible that some terrible people ruined it. And yes I would have used a worse word than terrible that wouldn't be accpeted here
     
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