Dakar rally organizers are saying "¡Hola!" to South America for the 2009 running of the wheels, according to various sources. The ’08 Dakar rally went into history as the first to be cancelled after terrorists made threats to spoil things on the planned African route.
ASO, the French organizer that also runs the Tour de France and other events, has been looking at alternative locations for the Dakar, including Australia, but has apparently been seduced by an offer from the tourism minister of Chile and has signed a deal to run the ’09 Dakar through Argentina and Chile.
According to the website Autoblog, next year’s rally may start on Jan. 1, and "take the place of the Pampas Rally in the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup." ASO has not yet made an official announcement regarding the move.
The Associated Press reported on Jan. 8 that the Chilean government is backing a proposal to stage the Dakar in South America. The Chilean portion of a South American Dakar would cross the Atacama desert, which is the world’s driest.
Will it still be called "Dakar" if it’s run on another continent? Anything is possible, but the name carries a great deal of authority. As to whether a replacement Dakar will be organized in time for an ’08 event, February is approaching, and opportunities seem to be slipping away.
Cape Breton would’a ben OK… :roll
Why wouldn’t they run it at an undisclosed location? Somewhere only the event organizers and riders would know. I dont think any country,including Chile is immune from terrorism.
Noop, count on Africa. Next week is Dakar news.