posted Jan 6, 2008

Patrice Clerc, who heads the company that organises the rally, said: “When you are told of direct threats against the event and when the sinister name of al-Qaeda is mentioned, you don’t ask for details. It was enough for me to hear my government say the danger is at a maximum.”

If i was going to concel an event like this i would at least check the details. Surely there are terrosits threats regularly against sporting events. Will we cancel the Olympics now if Al-Qaeda pick up the phone. The only way to defeat the terrosists is to carry on regardless and show them that we will not bow to their demands rather than panic and change our way of life.

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posted Jan 6, 2008

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Miafrika--- typical misinformed comment. The rally brought attention to the area. Brought much needed money through tourism it is a beautiful part of the world. If the rally promotes ideas of a better life then thats a positive. The losers are race fans like myself but the biggest losers are the people of North West Africa.

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posted Jan 6, 2008

I'm gutted for all the competitors who've prepared for this epic event all year (and in many cases all their lives)- many may never get another chance in their lifetime.
Best wishes to local rider from Derby, Mick Extance - hope to see you next year.
Anyone who criticises this event (OwlsNeil and MiAfrika) has no idea of the history of the event or a sense of adventure and human spirit.

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posted Jan 7, 2008

With respect to Phibre59's comment on the Australian Safari, I alos competed this year. It starts in Kununurra not Broome ! We arrived in Broome after 2 days. And compared to other rallies I have done, UAE Desert Challenge 5 times, it is a breeze and very very boring..In no way can this be compared to the Dakar....The Dakar is an Icon and is by far the most difficult rally on this planet. To have had to cancel this event will have an effect on future events there is no doubt. I feel for all participants and those following the event...........Contingencies will have to be made to avoid this problem in future years.......

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posted Jan 7, 2008

"Anyone who criticises this event (OwlsNeil and MiAfrika) has no idea of the history of the event or a sense of adventure and human spirit."

So you think its acceptable for a 5 year old Senegalese girl to be killed by a service truck (not even a competitor) or for 3 people to die on a train during panic caused by a bush fire started by participants? All in the name of adventure? This rally has no place in modern sport. Running in Western Australia is far more sensible. It can be properly organised with adequate spectator control and a lower threat of terrorism.

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posted Jan 7, 2008

real shame for the rally and i feel especially sorry for the private entries with no multi-million backers.

Shame there is no other places that could be used.

Just one ulternative, use minesweepers the day before the race and mount machine-guns on the front of all vehicles, that includes the helicopters filming for the TV.

Would like to point out this was in France where they don't stand up for nothing, even in the world war. Hopefully Britain has more backbone against its olympic games.

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posted Jan 7, 2008

Mr_Jiminez,

Despite your shocking grasp of the English language, and the general stupidity of your remarks in this serious debate, there is no place for miss guided, anti French remarks.

Please go home, think about what you've said and, unless you're six years old (the apparent level of you intelligence)....GROW A BRAIN!!!

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posted Jan 9, 2008

I think I'll have the last word on this:
Any accidents that happen in connection with the race are tragic and the organisers do a hell of a lot to ensure competitor and spectator safety as well as valuable development work with the indigenous population.
We cannot allow terrorists and the health and safety obsessed to destroy great events such as The Dakar, otherwise we will all wake up one and realise we are all wearing grey suits, eating grey sludge, in grey boxes.
I'd much rather the human race represented by adventurers pitting themselves against the unforgiving deserts of Africa than the queues of dead soul commuters inching their way to work every day in their metal coffins.

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posted Jan 9, 2008

Funny it seems only the French advised for the Dakar race not to go ahead. And the organiser who got scared immediately after hearing the name Al-Qaeda appeased the terrorists. Congratulations! Now Al-Qaeda have gained a battle and are more encouraged to repeat such episodes in this and other sporting events. Maybe Patrice Clerc will reimburse the Portuguese, Spanish, Mauritanians, Algerians and Senegalese as well as all pilots and teams involved. ah no chance for that!

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posted Jan 9, 2008

"So you think its acceptable for a 5 year old Senegalese girl to be killed by a service truck (not even a competitor) or for 3 people to die on a train during panic caused by a bush fire started by participants?

No it is not acceptable but the same thing happens in every major city in the world on a daily basis (People getting killed on our roads).It is going to happen so we try to limit the risk - not hide in our Homes or bury our heads in the sand.

As unfortunate as it is things like this will happen regardless if the rally is there or not.
The rally Imposes strict speed limits within the villages now. It is no more dangerous to spectators than the WRC is! I suppose you wan't that banned also

The term "Rally raid" came from the illegal practice of racing across borders many years ago. Would you rather we reverted back to this kind of activity or supervise it ???
The Dakar hugely benefits the countries that it passes through, especially through SOS Sahel and "Actions Dakar"
Go and do some reading please!

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