Location shift will not harm Dakar spirit, organizers claim
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AFP
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 03, 2009 00:00
BUENOS AIRES - The 2009 Dakar Rally gets underway on Saturday with the grueling two-week event switched from terror-threatened Africa to South America and the region's deadly love affair with high-speed.
Twelve months ago, the Dakar, for so long dogged by security concerns, was cancelled at the last minute after four French tourists were killed by Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Mauritania.
In response, the race has been switched to Argentina and Chile, a safe 7,000 kilometers from Senegal, but with the race's character still intact, claim organizers.
"I have no doubt that this is still THE Dakar," said veteran race organizer Etienne Lavigne. "The people who are taking part in the race know that this is THE Dakar. This race has been organized for 30 years. It attracts professionals and amateurs. Nothing in this has changed."
Lavigne insisted that he was happy the race, which will end here on January 17, has not been renamed to accommodate its new home.
"Historically, it was called the Paris-Dakar, then changed to Dakar. It has crossed 30 countries. Just as you don't change the name of a boat, the Dakar does not change its name."
The 2009 edition is made up of 14 stages with 5,591km of specials in the total distance of 9,578km and will see 530 teams taking part in a race that, instead of desert and dunes, will tackle the Pampas and tracks in the shadow of the Andes.
Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi is chasing an eighth successive title with Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel aiming for a 10th personal crown to add to his six on a motorcycle and three in a car.
Peterhansel won in 2004, 2005 and 2007 with compatriot and former skiing ace Luc Alphand taking the 2006 title.
There will be added interest in Mitsubishi's campaign in South America after the global financial crisis dealt a series of body-blows to motor sport in Japan with Honda quitting Formula One and Subaru and Suzuki pulling out of the world rally championship.
Mitsubishi's main challenge will once again come from Volkswagen whose four-car bid will be spearheaded by former double world rally champion Carlos Sainz who is no stranger to South America having won the Rally of Argentina three times in 1992, 2002 and 2004.
South Africa's Giniel de Villiers, Germany's Dieter Depping and Mark Miller of the United States make up the Volkswagen team.
In the motorcycle section, KTM dominates with France's Cyril Despres, the 2005 and 2007 champion, likely to tussle with Marc Coma of Spain, the 2006 winner, for the title.
Meanwhile, Lavigne would not commit the rally to an eventual return to Africa.
"The Dakar in the past has gone through Algeria, Niger, Libya, Chad..... and year by year, the territory for the race has been reduced," he said. "We talk a lot about the the threat from Al-Qaeda. That's a country we went to 30 times. I cannot take people to these countries."
Turkey will be represented by Jim Beam Turkish team, which has the experienced duo of Kutlu Torunlar and Kemal Merkit as motorcyclists. After a successful performance in 2007 that took them to the podium in the 450 cc - with Torunlar finishing second and Merkit third in their category - the Jim Beam Turkish team is ready to pick up where they left off.
Argentina, meanwhile, will present its own particular challenges. On average, 22 people a day die on the country's roads; from January to August 2008, 5,427 people were killed in car crashes.
In response, the race has been switched to Argentina and Chile, a safe 7,000 kilometers from Senegal, but with the race's character still intact, claim organizers.
"I have no doubt that this is still THE Dakar," said veteran race organizer Etienne Lavigne. "The people who are taking part in the race know that this is THE Dakar. This race has been organized for 30 years. It attracts professionals and amateurs. Nothing in this has changed."
Lavigne insisted that he was happy the race, which will end here on January 17, has not been renamed to accommodate its new home.
"Historically, it was called the Paris-Dakar, then changed to Dakar. It has crossed 30 countries. Just as you don't change the name of a boat, the Dakar does not change its name."
The 2009 edition is made up of 14 stages with 5,591km of specials in the total distance of 9,578km and will see 530 teams taking part in a race that, instead of desert and dunes, will tackle the Pampas and tracks in the shadow of the Andes.
Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi is chasing an eighth successive title with Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel aiming for a 10th personal crown to add to his six on a motorcycle and three in a car.
Peterhansel won in 2004, 2005 and 2007 with compatriot and former skiing ace Luc Alphand taking the 2006 title.
There will be added interest in Mitsubishi's campaign in South America after the global financial crisis dealt a series of body-blows to motor sport in Japan with Honda quitting Formula One and Subaru and Suzuki pulling out of the world rally championship.
Mitsubishi's main challenge will once again come from Volkswagen whose four-car bid will be spearheaded by former double world rally champion Carlos Sainz who is no stranger to South America having won the Rally of Argentina three times in 1992, 2002 and 2004.
South Africa's Giniel de Villiers, Germany's Dieter Depping and Mark Miller of the United States make up the Volkswagen team.
In the motorcycle section, KTM dominates with France's Cyril Despres, the 2005 and 2007 champion, likely to tussle with Marc Coma of Spain, the 2006 winner, for the title.
Meanwhile, Lavigne would not commit the rally to an eventual return to Africa.
"The Dakar in the past has gone through Algeria, Niger, Libya, Chad..... and year by year, the territory for the race has been reduced," he said. "We talk a lot about the the threat from Al-Qaeda. That's a country we went to 30 times. I cannot take people to these countries."
Turkey will be represented by Jim Beam Turkish team, which has the experienced duo of Kutlu Torunlar and Kemal Merkit as motorcyclists. After a successful performance in 2007 that took them to the podium in the 450 cc - with Torunlar finishing second and Merkit third in their category - the Jim Beam Turkish team is ready to pick up where they left off.
Argentina, meanwhile, will present its own particular challenges. On average, 22 people a day die on the country's roads; from January to August 2008, 5,427 people were killed in car crashes.