2008 Dakar Rally - webBikeWorld

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January 4, 2007 - The 2008 Dakar rally has been cancelled just one day before the 30th edition of the historic competition was due to start in Lisbon, Portugal.

The late move was initiated over security concerns with at least eight of the fifteen stages passing through Mauritania in western Africa. An announcement issued by the event organizers A.S.O today stated that:

“Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th 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 A.S.O.”

“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.”

52 Yamaha riders from a list of more than 250 were set to take the start in Lisbon. A.S.O has vowed that the future of the rally is not at threat. “The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar,” the statement also read.

KTM Regrets Dakar Cancellation; Stands by Organizer's Decision
While registering disappointment in the cancellation of the Dakar 2008, KTM stands firmly behind the decision of the organizers not to go ahead following threats from terrorist groups to disrupt the rally.

This, the recent murder of innocent tourists and the current climate of political unrest in parts of Africa, are all factors that were taken into account, a statement from the organizers said Friday.

The Dakar organizers came to the decision at 12:00 noon on Friday after exchanges with the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs where they advised that under the current circumstances, they were no longer able to guarantee the safety of the participants. The rally, by far the most important rally even on the international calendar, was due to start in Lisbon on Saturday and finish in Dakar on January 20.

KTM CEO Pierer: "Safety First"
Stefan Pierer CEO of KTM said the decision was the only logical one to take after the French authorities were no longer able to guarantee participant safety. "Also when this was a very difficult decision for us, we give it our 100% support," Pierer said. "The security and safety of all KTM riders, both factory riders and privateers, and indeed all those involved in the support and organization of this top class event, must be our priority at all times," he added.

Setback for all KTM Riders
Heinz Kinigadner, KTM Motorsport consultant, former 250 cc Motocross World champion and Dakar veteran said the cancellation had naturally been a great setback so close to the start of the race. He said it came after months of planning and logistics and a significant financial investment not only for the official KTM factory teams but also for some 150 other KTM riders, many of them privateers, and all their support staff.

"It is clearly a huge disappointment for everyone," Kinigadner said. "We must also bear in mind that for our top factory riders like Marc Coma and Cyril Despres, the Dakar is the highlight of the professional season and one that they have been completely focused on for months. Not only are Coma and Despres both former winners, they are great professional rivals and were definitely the top favorites for this exceptional event in 2008."

Kinigadner underlined that KTM's activities are built around the three pillars of Rally, Road Racing and MX/Enduro and said the company would remain as dedicated in the future to all three types of competition as it has been until now.

The cancellation was also a bitter disappointment for the KTM Rally team boss Hans Trunkenpolz, who reinforced Pierer's comments by saying that security and safety had to remain the most important criteria for this desert classic.

"I am very disappointed for my team, for all of our support staff and indeed all those other people whose highlight of the year would have been to be in Dakar on January 20. But we must face the fact that under the circumstances, and with the authorities not able to guarantee the safety of our people, this was the right decision. Now we must look forward to what we hope will be a great Dakar in 2009."

November 18, 2007 - Rally PanAm’s lead rider Jonah Street taught Dakar Rally champion Cyril Despres a lesson in Baja this week.

Teamed with several other talented riders on Tim Morton’s 14x bike, Jonah finished the famed Baja 1000 desert race ahead of star French rally rider Despres’s KTM factory team.

Street aims to lead Despres, last year’s Dakar Rally winner, and the rest of the field of top international riders at the finish of January’s Dakar Rally.

Come meet Jonah and the Rally PanAm team in San Francisco on December 11, 2007. The team will be back from its final pre-Dakar desert testing session. See the new 690 Rally bike and hear more about the team’s plans.

Several new sponsors have joined the team. They welcome DP Brakes, Scott Goggles, Ready Racing, Motion Pro and MX1West, and thank Top Oil, Klim gear, Scuderia West, SuperPlush Suspension, Baja Designs, Transfer Flow, Renazco Racing, Linkfinity and Protect Enduro Concepts for their continued support.

U.S. Team Rally PanAm Plans for 2008 Dakar Rally

2008 Dakar Rally - Jonah Street

Jonah Street. Photo Courtesy Rally PanAm

November 1, 2007 - The 2008 Dakar Rally will start in Portugal for the third year in a row, then cross Morocco,
Mauritania, and Senegal.

The special sections will approach 6,000 kilometers, giving this year's rally the greatest number of timed segments since 2002.

The registration process was modified this year, in an effort to alleviate the panic drivers and teams typically find themselves in as the deadline
draws near and to allow the organizers to make better team and rider selections.

The huge demand for rally entrants, which has in the past forced the organizers to turn down solid applications, also requires that the applications are studied very carefully. The new schedule is designed to provide a balanced platform for the Lisbon departure on 5 January 2008.

Calendar

January 2-4, 2008: Administrative checks and scrutineering
January 4, 2008 (Evening): Assistance briefing; Competitors Briefing
January 5-12, 2008: Crossing of Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Mauritania, Mali and Senegal.
January 13, 2008 : Rest day in Nouakchott
January 14-20, 2008: Finish and awards ceremony

Course
Planning the 2008 Dakar began, rather appropriately, with a challenge; mapping out the route. The stages will give competitors a path across Africa that is just as diverse but with even more of a sporty edge.

This year’s planned itinerary includes longer specials than in prior years; the stages were blocked at 4,300 km in 2007 due to some changes, but exceeded 4,800 km for the timed segments in 2006. For the 2008 Dakar Rally, competitors will embark on an almost 6,000 km road and off-road adventures. As a result, the road sections will be shorter.

Rally PanAm Team Report
The Dakar Rally is the most challenging motorsports event anywhere; a desert race across the toughest terrain in the world. Racers must be fast, fit, smart and lucky to navigate the 6,000 mile unmarked route over the course of 16 days. No American has ever won the event.

Rally PanAm, backed by Top Oil, Klim and Scuderia West, intends to take lead rider Jonah Street to the top of the podium in Dakar.

Last year, Jonah was poised to win this event. Rally PanAm built custom 540cc rally bikes to compete against the factory KTM 690cc bikes. The Dakar had recently implemented a 100mph speed limit, so the team’s smaller bikes had a competitive advantage.

Two days before the start of the event in January 2007, under pressure from the FIM and manufacturers, the Dakar Rally organizers decided not to enforce the 100mph speed limit. Rally PanAm was left with a great handling bike that was 15mph down on top speed compared to the factory bikes.

Team manager Charlie Rauseo says, “When we were informed of the rule change, we knew then that we were not going to win the 07 Dakar.” Jonah rode hard anyway; he was 3rd overall well into the fast African stages. He would reel the factory guys in whenever it got bumpy or twisty, but they would gain ground in the straight sections, but the bike's engine gave up soon after that.

Determined not to be burned again, the team has acquired a new 690 Rally bike. Charlie Rauseo says, “We’re looking forward to rubbing their noses in it.”

Five riders are headed to Lisbon and the start of the 2008 Dakar Rally from North America. From the United States, there are 3 riders: John Deykes from Southern California on his home-built and very tricky Aprilia 450 rally bike; Rally PanAm’s Jonah Street on the new KTM 690 Rally, and Charlie Rauseo on a custom KTM 552 rally bike.

From Canada, there’s Don Hatton from British Columbia and Tod Davidson from Toronto on Rally PanAm prepared KTM 525s. Also keep an eye on Australia’s top rider David Schwartz on another KTM 690; David will be supported by Rally PanAm trucks and mechanics. Chris Blais, who finished 3rd last year on a factory KTM was injured earlier this year and will not compete in Africa.

Team PanAm is expecting a very difficult rally this year. This is the 30th Edition of the Dakar, and rumor has it that the French have some surprises up their sleeves.

Last year was a particularly easy rally, so they are out to beat the competitors up this year. The riders will spend more time in Mauritania and no time in Mali. That means more sand and more dunes!

They say that several stages will have different routes for bikes and cars/trucks, which means that those bike routes will be tight and technical. Also, the bikers will be camping alone one or two nights this year, with no help from the cars, trucks or the assistance crews.

Every one of these racers, along with spouses, friends and crew, has spent an entire year preparing for the Dakar. Sure, it is expensive, but it is also very complicated logistically. And, they’ve all had to learn a completely new type of racing. Every one of these guys is a hero just for getting to the start and each of them is going to have to dig deep and find a way to the finish.

The Dakar Rally will be televised by Versus Network (formerly OLN) in the U.S.A. again this year, starting January 6 and continuing through January 21. On the web, follow the rally at Rally PanAm’s website. For more information on rally bikes, rally parts, training and mini-rallies, visit Rally Management Services.

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