It's not that I'm resistant to change (although I know I am), and I've been a faithful Dakar Rally follower thru the years. It's just the fact they call it Dakar; it's website is http://www.dakar.com/, but it has nothing to do with the Dakar region in Africa? WTF?
Ok, so here's the deal: In 2008 the event was cancelled due to terrorist threats in Mauritania. 4 French citizens and 3 Mauritanian soldiers were murdered mere days before the scheduled start. Rally officials scrapped the event, believing they could not provide adequate security. Good call. Turns out a few weeks later there was a terror attack in the city of Nouakchott.
2009 was Dakar's return to the stage, except this time the stage is in South America. Maybe there is an underlying back-handed slap to keep the Dakar name. An international motorsport F.U. to the African nations for not keeping their houses in order. Or at least in order enough for rallyers (is that a word?) to tear-ass thru the countryside in a mad attempt to destroy vehicles, test human endurance, and hopefully be the first one to finish.
Stay tuned to BlendLines for regular Dakar 2011 updates!!!
2009 was Dakar's return to the stage, except this time the stage is in South America. Maybe there is an underlying back-handed slap to keep the Dakar name. An international motorsport F.U. to the African nations for not keeping their houses in order. Or at least in order enough for rallyers (is that a word?) to tear-ass thru the countryside in a mad attempt to destroy vehicles, test human endurance, and hopefully be the first one to finish.
What's in a name I guess, because any race that lasts 15 days, crosses the Andes (twice), includes names such as Sainz, Peterhansel and Gordon, and vehicles from BMW, VW, Hummer and many more is worth watching. Seems like the Dakar name is more about a race than a region. Where finishing, let alone winning, is an accomplishment.
Stay tuned to BlendLines for regular Dakar 2011 updates!!!
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