Euromilhões Lisboa Dakar 2008 : Dakar

12-02-2008 - The 2009 Dakar rally : on the track of South America

Patrice Clerc, President of Amaury Sport Organisation and Etienne Lavigne, Director of the Dakar, have announced that the 2009 Dakar would take place in Argentina and Chile from the 3rd to the 18th of January. They promise an amazing course, a 9000 km loop including 6000 of specials between Buenos Aires, Valparaiso and Buenos Aires.

The Dakar rally, the legendary event of the off-road rally discipline, will for the first time go to South America in 2009. During the last thirty years, the race has forged itself a legendary reputation on the African territory that helped it grow and become one of the major events of the international calendar. The Dakar will know how to keep and maintain values and a unique spirit. A first choice sporting competition that mixes great champions and amateurs, the event has become extremely international throughout the years, uniting up to 52 different nationalities. Added to that, the Dakar gathers a state of spirit driven by a quest for adventure, open-mindedness and discovery. A nomadic event by excellence with 21 African countries visited during its history, it has the vocation to explore the deserts of the World and A.S.O. studies the possibility for other territories to welcome the Dakar.

While keeping an undamaged challenge, the 2009 edition has accepted the invitation of Argentina and Chile, countries with which A.S.O. was in contact for several years.

The organisers were seduced by the discovery of territories where navigation, sand, and crossings will be on the menu. Argentina and Chile gather all the ingredients for a fantastic Dakar both in terms of the level of the varied topography and the splendour of the landscapes or through its infrastructures. The enthusiasm launched by the prospect of welcoming the event promises a great Dakar.

The registrations for this new challenge will start on the 15th of May 2008. The competitors registered for the 2008 edition will have priority and will benefit during a month from a similar tariff as this year’s one.

09-01-2008 - Message from Etienne Lavigne

Groggy but still standing, I confirm today that the adventure is not over. We believed in the 2008 Dakar. We wanted a demanding, tough and intense thirtieth edition. You had chosen to register for it, to spend time, energy and money. Our common challenge was wrecked at the precise moment when it was shaping up. The shock was brutal for all of us and the consequences heavy for most.

After measuring the disappointment of everyone, a certainty remains: the decision to cancel the 2008 Euromilhoes Dakar was the only reasonable alternative based on the information that we had. The terrorist threats that weighed on the security of the rally failed to leave the slightest choice for responsible organisers. There was no hesitation and there is now no regret.

Shaken by what happened, we were mainly touched by the dignity that the competitors showed in Lisbon. This mature attitude looks like the image that we have of you. We interpret it as a sign of confidence that we will in no way betray.

It is now our turn to deliver a message of hope because we have taken the habit of looking to the future. That is where our energy will be useful. For the teams of the rally, enthusiasm and readiness to fight have already beaten the greyness. We now want to plan a meeting with you in the weeks to come. The next rally that we will offer you in 2009 will be your challenge. It is already ours.

Etienne Lavigne
Director of the Dakar Rallye

04-01-2008 - A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally

Lisbon, Friday the 4th of January 2008.

After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.

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 organisations, 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. 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.