its been relocated between Argentina & Chile Those guys are going to have a blast down there http://www.autoxauto.com/noticias.cfm?id_noticia=1179 Mapa de recorrido del rally Dakar 2009 en Argentina y Chile Ambos países albergaran la mítica competencia. + ampliar imagen El presidente de Amaury Sport Organisation, Patrice Clerc, y el director del Dakar, Etienne Lavigne, anunciaron que el Dakar 2009 se desarrollará en Argentina y Chile, del 3 al 18 de enero del 2009. Tendrá un recorrido excepcional : una vuelta de 9.000 kilómetros, de los cuales 6.000 de especiales, entre Buenos Aires, Valparaíso y Buenos Aires. El rally Dakar, prueba mítica de la disciplina rally raid, irá por primera vez en América del Sur en el 2009. En los últimos 30 años, la carrera se construyó una reputación de leyenda al interior del territorio africano, donde creció y se convirtió en uno de los mayores eventos de la agenda internacional. El Dakar sabrá conservar y desarrollar sus valores y espíritu tan propios. Competición deportiva de primera categoría, que mezcla grandes campeones y amateurs, a través de los años la prueba se ha internacionalizado hasta llegar a reunir 52 nacionalidades diferentes. Además, el Dakar posee un espíritu motivado por la búsqueda de la aventura, la apertura y el descubrimiento. Prueba nómada por excelencia, con 21 países africanos visitados durante su historia, tiene vocación de explorar todos los desiertos del mundo y ASO estudia la posibilidad de que otros territorios puedan acoger el Dakar. Conservando su desafío intacto, la edición del 2009 aceptó la invitación de Argentina y Chile, países con los cuales ASO estaba en contacto desde hace algunos años. Los organizadores fueron convencidos por el descubrimiento de territorios, en los cuales no faltarán los desafíos de navegación, la arena y el paso de obstáculos. Argentina y Chile reúnen todos los ingredientes de un fórmidable Dakar, tanto a nivel de un variado estilo tipográfico, como de magníficos paisajes y de excelentes infraestructuras. El entusiasmo suscitado por la perspectiva de acoger la prueba promete desde ya un gran Dakar. Las inscripciones para este nuevo desafío comenzarán el 15 de mayo del 2008. Los participantes previstos en la edición 2008 serán prioritarios y durante un mes tendrán una tarifa idéntica a la de este año. Fuente: Prensa Rally Dakar
Here we go in english http://www.dakar.com/index_DAKus.html An extreme adventure between two oceans The Dakar 2009 is off to discover a new continent, South America that offers unlimited possibilities to amateurs of wide open spaces. The round trip to Buenos Aires, via Valparaiso is a challenge in which the most enduring competitors will find their way and have the opportunity to distinguish themselves. With close to 6,000 kilometres of specials and difficulties scattered on the whole course, the battle for the title will remain wide open until the finish. Please find below the distances run in altitude during the Dakar 2009 special stages: from 1500 till 2000 meters : 610 kilometers from 2000 till 2500 meters : 240 kilometers from 2500 till 3000 meters : 70 kilometers from 3000 till 3250 meters : 15 kilometers On liaison, the Rally will pass at an average height of 4000 meters during 120 kilometers. ARGENTINA - CHILE
First off I'm glad to see an epic rally event back on the calendar. But calling it the Paris-Dakkar is ridiculous. It has been a misnomer ever since they took the start in Paris away, which was a shame. But now that it is in a different continent, this name is really bizarre. Here's hoping to some good TV coverage, now that it is in "our timezone". Speed TV anybody?
I couldn't agree more. Not only is it going to be held half a world away from Dakar it's not going to feature much in the way of desert so it will have absolutely nothing in common with the original event.
Its still a trip over desert in some places + they'll have to cross the Andies which will be just as difficult as crossing a hot desert only a lot colder and a lot higher up. There is plenty of rugged terrain in Argentina & Chile, it will be far from a cake walk
Glad we cleared that up. And where exactly in Argentina is Dakar? PS: I'll participate in next year's Monte Carlo Rally: We'll have it in the snow covered parking lot behind my house.
if they keep it in South America I would suggest they rename it the ANDES RAID or Tierra Del Fuego Raid makes more sense
Well Tifosi12, have fun. "DAKAR SERIES" The "Dakar Series" has the authority to bring together, eventually, under the same label, several off-road rallies meeting the founding standards of organization and sporting values. The A.S.O., organizer of the Dakar Rally, intends extending this concept to several competitions, which it aims at running over the long term. Central Europe Rally Hungary - Romania 2008 http://www.centraleuroperally.com PAX Rally Lisboa Portimao 2008 http://www.paxrally.com
Do you really believe that these organizers are capable of putting together a series of races? These are the same morons who cancelled the Dakar this year in the very last minute because of an alleged terrorist thread. For the sake of the event I'm hoping they'll pull off the "Dakar" in South America, but I have my doubts. Also in regards to how many participants will be left, now that they have to ship their vehicles across the Atlantic. That will reduce the field to the pros and go even further against the very spirit of the Paris-Dakar, which was the last epic event for everybody. Sabine, I miss you.
La Carrera Panamerica is happening this month from the 24 to the 30th. http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
Isn't that the same race where some folks were trying to run a scam in recent history by making us believe Honda would actually participate with its F1 team?
Do not know what you heard and from whom... In 2006 Honda was there doing some promotional stuff, with Rubinho Barrichello and Gil deFerran, the did one stage of the race, in Oaxaca. http://www.motorsport.com/photos/select.asp?Y=2006&S=F1&E=Honda_F1_Carrera_Panameri [Honda Racing F1 Team's Rubens Barrichello and Team Sporting Director Gil de Ferran travelled to Oaxaca, Mexico to drive part of the legendary Carrera Panamericana road race] and Ferrari in conmemoration of their 50 anniversary of Ferrari´s presence in the Panamericana made a presentation of the F 430
There was a guy on here at Ferrarichat who would swear on his mother's grave that Honda would bring F1 cars to the Panamericana. I called him out and said that is very hard to believe, but he insisted. I should have banned him right then and there.
For the big players shipping is just a fraction of the cost It would be cool to build a car in Argentina for this If anyone is interested I can get you in touch w racers down there
That's precisely my point. For the big players it doesn't matter where the race is. But moving it from Europe (at least the starting point) trans Atlantic to South America will eliminate a lot of the amateurs who added so much to the ambiance of this event. And all this over an alleged terrorist thread which could have been easily avoided by rerouting. What a shame. The terrorists indeed have won. As have all the environmentalists and socialists in Europe who hated this race from the beginning. Sad.
Now it will give a chance to amateurs in South America to enter such an event and maybe other Pros from the America´s...
