Press Release Team Dessoude
The 30th edition of the Dakar was supposed to be a celebration of the most legendary of rally raid races. But the party was cut short in Lisbon this morning, when the ASO, organiser of the event, announced that the 2008 edition had been cancelled. The event faced serious terrorist threats over part of its route through Africa. In order ... [ more ]

To cancel this Year's Dakar Rally
The A.S.O. – the organising body of the Dakar Rally – announced on the morning of January 4 that this year's event will not go ahead.

After a lengthy dialogue with the French government, and in particular the country's foreign office, the Dakar Rally organisers decided to cancel the rally on governmental advice. The 2008 ... [ more ]

Stands by organizers 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 ... [ more ]

The 2008 Dakar cancelled by the organisers
The organisers of the 2008 Dakar, Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), today confirmed at a press conference in Lisbon that the decision had been taken to cancel this year's rally which was due to start from the Portuguese capital tomorrow morning, Saturday, January 5.

An official statement issued by A.S.O. stated ... [ more ]

Safety has priority
It is with great regret that Volkswagen acknowledges the cancellation of the 30th Dakar Rally. "The safety of every single participant has absolute priority and for this reason Volkswagen completely and utterly endorses the decision made by the organisers ASO to cancel the start of the Dakar Rally originally scheduled for 5 January,” explains ... [ more ]

Very disappointed by cancellation of Dakar
This year's Dakar Rally has been cancelled because security concerns. Today in Lisbon, one day prior to the start, A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation), officially cancelled the 30th edition of the Lisbon-Dakar Rallye.

Although Dakar Rally director Etienne Lavigne has met with Mauritanian and French officials and ... [ more ]

Official Press Release
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 ... [ more ]

Dakar : News from Scrutineering
The aim: a record. After having had to quit last year, the Czar Vladimir Chagin, commander in chief of the Kamaz army is back in Lisbon more motivated than ever. The Russian firmly intends to steal his crown back from Hans Stacey, and reach the legendary record of Karel Loprais, i.e. 6 victories in the truck category of the trickiest ... [ more ]

At Scrutineering
The four crews and cars* that will spearhead the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart Team's bid to secure a record eighth consecutive Dakar win for Mitsubishi have successfully completed the pre-start scrutineering formalities which took place this morning in Lisbon. The four Pajero/Montero Evolution MPR13s have now been placed in parc ferme – on the ... [ more ]

Dakar : News from Scrutineering
It's on the occasion of a press conference looking like a demonstration of strength that Team Dakar USA put on a true arrival show on the 2008 edition of the Dakar. Present since last night at the rally scrutineering, both pilots Robby Gordon and Ronn Bailey, the only ones driving a Hummer in this edition, unveiled their respective ... [ more ]