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2009 Dakar will be run in South America

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Steven Roy:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/65087

To prevent a repeat of this year's events where the Dakar had to be cancelled due to terrorism threats the 2009 event will be run in South America.

cosworth151:
There had been talk that this might happen since January. Sad to see it have to move, but it's most likely for the best.

Nothing on the Dakar website as of now. (19:00 GMT, 11 Feb)

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

CrazyHorse:
moving the race to south america to escape the religion of peace just means the drivers will get kipnapped by the FARC instead  :DD

think the only place they can race safely is in oz

was watchin an old top gear the other night about fangio when he was kidnapped by the cuban revolutionaries

Alianora La Canta:
The news is now on the official Dakar website. It will seem very strange for the Dakar to not go to Dakar in 2009...

cosworth151:
A piece on the Dakar site by Étienne Lavigne, Director of the Dakar, says that they hope to return to Africa when (if) the political situation resolves itself:


--- Quote ---We have crossed the ocean. The Dakar visits South America but doesn't however leave Africa. The rally was forced to move away from its base but its roots haven't moved. The links that were set during thirty years and the energy that has nourished the event continue to express themselves in the voyage that we are undertaking. The trip back which length will also be dictated by the geo-political context is, whatever happens, being prepared now. It is why the relations that we have with the African countries affirm themselves as a solid base for the event. Through regular visits, a permanent study of new options, the support towards the ''Six heures de Dakar'' (Six hours of Dakar) event but also the upholding of the Actions Dakar program, Africa remains at the heart of our concerns. The return of the Dakar will not be that of an unworthy son.
--- End quote ---

It's a sad situation all around, but, in my opinion, the ASO is doing the best it can with the cards it has been dealt. I'm just glad that the event will survive.

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