[mclarenracer]

Euromilhões Lisboa - Dakar: homepage

hope they can switch venue and get the race going.

[Nitin]

Thats not good news!
Is there an estimate on when the matter will be resolved?

[danlalan]

The 2008 running of the famed Dakar Rally has been cancelled due to safety fears in the Mauritania region.

The event, which was due to start in Lisbon tomorrow [Saturday] and run to the 20 January, has been under threat following the murder of four French tourists by a group linked to Al-Qaeda with discussions taking place with the French government before a decision was taken to cancel the event completely.

Admitting that it had little option but to reach the decision, the French-based event organisers the Amaury Sport Organisation, was quick to point out that the cancellation will not be the end of the one of the most challenging events on the motorsport calendar, despite the understandable disappointment at the fact that the 2008 race will not go ahead.

"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 fifth to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal's capital," a statement read.

"Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 28th 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 ASO

"ASO'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. ASO 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.

Source : Crash.net

[oversteer]

Sad. This is not a good sign.

[sushrutha]

That's some bad news for all rally enthusiasts like me.
My personal feeling is, This rally is mother of all rallys in motorsport.
Previously it was Paris - Dakar rally, Y is it being changed to lisboa - dakar rally ?

[Mpower]

They should have cancelled a few legs. Why can the whole thing?

[kbk_75]

Because the people whose legs would have been cancelled would have been mighty pissed that there were no longer able to drive!

[bigman]

UPDATE 1-Rallying-2009 Dakar rally to be staged in South America | Reuters


PARIS, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The 2009 Dakar Rally will be staged in South America after this year's event was cancelled due to security concerns in Africa, organisers said on Monday.


The event for cars, trucks and motorcycles will take place in Argentina and Chile from Jan. 3 to 18, a spokesman for the French organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) said.


Details on next year's race will be announced later. The organisers did not say whether the event's name would be changed.


The Dakar Rally, originally known as the Paris-Dakar, had always been staged entirely or mostly in Africa in its 30-year history.


It was cancelled for the first time last month due to security concerns in Mauritania where four French tourists were killed by suspected al Qaeda rebels in December.


Organisers had been advised by the French government to cancel the race because of a "terrorist risk" in Mauritania.

[P1tBull]

Thats terrible. I remember always watching the Paris - Dakar rally on TV as a kid.
Then they took the Paris leg out. Now they take the whole shebang out of Africa.

Whats next, make it a cycle race?