Due to the cancellation of the usual Dakar rally, ASO has decided to have the 2009 Dakar Series now for 2008!
-The Central Europe Rally
-Budapest, Hungary -> Romania -> Lake Balaton, Hungary
-starts April 19th
-3000km total, 1400km of special stages
-7 special stages
ASO launches new Dakar Series in Hungary
Date 2008-02-04
By Nancy Knapp Schilke - Motorsport.com
Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) may have been forced by terrorists to cancel the 30th Edition of the famous Dakar cross-country rally but the French-based organization is already living up to their promise of developing a rally-raid series under the Dakar banner.
The new Dakar Series kicked off today in Budapest, Hungary with the announcement of the first event: The Central Europe Rally. This event does not replace the world's most challenging trek into the African Continent, it was unusual circumstances that forced the Euromilhões Lisboa Dakar 2008 race to be shut down before the first special stage was scheduled in Lisbon, Portugal.
Due to the many teams and drivers/riders who enjoy the competition, the ASO is already preparing for their first official event in April. The route will take them from Hungary to Romania and back to Hungary.
Scrutineering will take place on April 19th in Budapest before the contest begins which is termed as a technical and varied route. No doubt it will have a few challenging tricks along the 3000kms special stages.
Starting in Budapest, the trek will cross into Romania before ending in Lake Balaton, Hungary.
The acceptance of entries for the new event does not take place until February 11, but already Mitsubishi -- a dominant team in "the Dakar" over the years -- has already expressed their support along with their main rivals Volkswagen. The top bike manufacturer KTM has also tossed their interest into the the ring.
Add teams like BMW, Schlesser and the privateers and one will see a competition that will help to fill the void when the ASO pulled the plug for safety reasons on the "Dakar".
With the certification of the Dakar Series by the ASO, we can expect to see more rally-raid events on an international level. The ASO is known as an organization that offers the racers unique challenges plus a high level of safety standards for a high number of entries.
The new Dakar Series was originally scheduled to start in 2009 but due to the cancellation of the legendary Dakar event in January, the ASO decided to move forward with the event they had already been involved in preparing.
The route, subject to change, will cover nearly 3000kms with over 1400kms along the seven special stages.
Stay tune to Motorsport.com with special reports on the new Dakar Series and the Central Europe Rally, including press releases form the Amaury Sport Organization.
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Dakar Series 2008!
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