Dakar Rally is Cancelled
Friday January 4, 2008
The Dakar Rally has been cancelled this year due to safety concerns in Mauritania. Just before Christmas, four French tourists were killed while picnicking on the side of the road, about 150 miles from the capital Nouakchott. Direct threats against Dakar Rally participants had also been made by terrorist groups linked to Al-Qaeda. These two incidents, as well as advice from the French government, led the organizers of the race to cancel at the last minute. Half the rally was scheduled to be raced through Mauritania. Mauritanian officials are said to be disappointed by the decision and say that security fears are unfounded.This is the first time the Dakar Rally has been cancelled outright since it began in 1979. The organizers of the Rally state "The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar."
I'm sure this is a huge disappointment to all the fans and participants in the race which was scheduled to begin in Lisbon tomorrow.
Score another for the terrorists… While concern for safety should not and cannot be ignored, cancellation of this event is a real, actual victory for their side. The alteration of daily life along with concession to their demands is exactly what terrorism seeks to accomplish. What a shame.
More reason to get behing McCain or Huckabee as the next President of the U.S. I wish McCain would get the presidency and have Huckabee as VP. That would be an awesome combination. McCain has the experience and fortitude to combat terrorism the right way and Huckabee has the diplomatic gift that is so needed by our leaders. It’s time to fight back…Christians are warriors..read the Bible!
Absolutely unbelieveable! Does anyone really think the rally would have been cancelled if the 4 people killed in Mauritania were from somewhere other than France? Many of these competitors spent millions of dollars to prepare for this race. Is the French government going to reimburse them? What a joke. Race the damn cars around Portugal or something, but don’t just cancel the enire rally!
Last few days Rumors heard that dakar Rally will still be ran later this year……….In South america but no conformation
I think the South Americans are very keen to host the Dakar Rally, but I’ve also heard the organizers would really like to keep the Rally in Africa. With that in mind, there’s plenty of desert in Namibia, Botswana and South Africa where the Rally could take place. Still in Africa yet perhaps more politically stable?
There’s nothing yet on the official web site.