TOKYO (AP)—Mitsubishi will no longer compete in the Dakar Rally for financial reasons, the company announced Wednesday.
The announcement came as Japan’s fourth-largest automaker said its group net loss will amount to $670 million for the fiscal year through March 2009.
“The sudden deterioration of the global economy made it necessary for the company to focus its resources more tightly,” Mitsubishi Motors said in a statement.
In its 26 entries in the Dakar Rally, Mitsubishi Pajeros won the rally a total of 12 times, including seven consecutive victories from 2001-2007.
The Japanese manufacturer finished seventh in the car section of the 2009 race.
The withdrawal is the latest move by a Japanese company to pull out of auto racing.
Japanese manufacturers Subaru and Suzuki pulled out of the World Rally Championship in December, Honda—Japan’s second biggest car manufacturer— withdrew from Formula One and Kawasaki has withdrawn from Moto GP.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Mitsubishi withdraws from Dakar Rally
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Leverage Sports Selected as Agency for Dakar The Movie.
September 8, 2008, Charlotte, NC
Leverage Sports has been selected as the motorsports agency to assist in the procurement and management of sponsors as well as various branding aspects of the first ever film documenting the famous Dakar Rally.
Dakar The Movie is set to be the first feature ever produced about the event in its 30 year history. Shot in both two and three dimensional high definition, The Movie will follow four teams from different parts of the world as they prepare and participate in the most grueling motorsports event in the world. In all, 570 teams from 50 countries will attempt to navigate motorbikes, buggies, cars, SUVs and trucks on the 16 day trek. This is also the first time the event will be held in Argentina and Chile, starting in Buenos Aires on January 3rd.
Broadcast in more than 185 countries with 300 media outlets, over 75 channels and 600 plus hours of coverage, the Dakar Rally brings in more than 300 million viewers worldwide.
The Movie is headed by Anonymous Content, Academy Award nominated Producer with more than 60 feature film credits. Anonymous has teamed up with renowned Director Scott Duncan, winner of 7 Emmy Awards and nominated for an additional 27 Emmys. Much of the The Movie distribution is finalized to be in both 3D and 2D theatre capabilities worldwide. In addition, DVD global distribution is planned, and Dakar The Movie episodes will air year round on a nationally syndicated motorsports show within the United States. Other ancillary mediums are being finalized, as well as the inclusion of online applications.
“Without question, the Dakar is one of the top four global motorsports events in the world,” explains Ryan Kurek, CEO and Founder of Leverage Sports who will be personally heading up the project for his agency. “Not only will brands be integrated into The Movie with guaranteed exposure and product placement, they will also be a sponsor of one or all four teams including ancillary event branding. The exposure and flexibility for brand participation in motorsports is unprecedented.”
With filming beginning in two months and the event starting in less than four, Leverage Sports has been selected as one of the primary motorsports agencies to assist and accelerate Anonymous in the branding aspects of The Movie. Leverage will be focusing on sponsorship procurement, branding components of the teams, event and The Movie, multimedia applications and additional brand asset development.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
For more information, Contact Meghan Stanton:Meghan@Levsports.com / 864-723-3955
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Mitsubishi's latest cross-country rallychallenger - MRX09. [Pic credit: Mitsubishi]
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and its motor sport unit, the Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart team has confirmed that it will once again field a four-car line-up on the 31st Dakar Rally.
The event, which will switch to fresh territory in 2009 and take competitors through Argentina and Chile from Saturday January 3 until Sunday January 18, 2009, will see the Japanese manufacturer use the new turbo-diesel 'Racing Lancer', with Stephane Peterhansel, Hiroshi Masuoka, Luc Alphand and Joan 'Nani' Roma all remaining onboard.
Indeed Mitsubishi's line-up is the same as that which has represented the team on this annual cross-country rally since 2005 and in addition to gunning for it's first-ever victory with a diesel powered car, the company will also be after its 13th success in total - and its eighth win in succession, having won the Dakar Rally every year since 2001.
The new 'Racing Lancer' meanwhile will be officially unveiled on Thursday October 2 at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, which opens to the public from Saturday, October 4 until Sunday, October 19.
It will be displayed alongside the 'Lancer Sportback' upon which it is based and which is due to go on sale across Europe this autumn.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
New event to replace Dakar Rally
Three-time Dakar Rally winner Hubert Auriol is planning a new event across the Sahara to replace the famous race after it was switched to South America.
The new race will start in southern Europe and cross Morocco and Mauritania to finish in Dakar and would take place later this year or early 2009.
"This competition will be a great sporting and human event," said the 55-year-old Frenchman.
"It will offer international exposure to this fabulous continent of Africa."
Auriol was the first person to win the Dakar Rally in both the motorcycle and car categories, and the new event will consist of motorbikes, quad vehicles, cars and lorries.
The French organisers of the Dakar Rally cancelled the event after receiving threats from "terrorist organisations".
They said the 2009 race will now take place in Argentina and Chile, a decision which has prompted an outcry in Mauritania and Senegal, which earned millions of dollars from tourism because of the high-profile event.
(Source: BBC)
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Breaking Rally News
Desert racing Champion BJ Baldwin of Las Vegas, NV has been signed to race the Robby Gordon Motorsports Hummer H3 at the upcoming Central European Rally put on by the ASO.
The race takes place April 20-26. The 7 stages start in Budapest, Hungary and continue to Romania and then turns around to finish in Balatonfured, Hungary covering 3061 Kilometers.
We asked BJ how feels his desert experience will translate into driving a rally?
"Well desert racing and rally are quite different. There will be no 4 foot bumps, no boulders to dodge, and fewer big jumps. From what I know about driving a rally it's all about going deep into the corners and carrying as much speed out of them as possible. The Hummer I'm driving only makes 340 horsepower but it stops and turns better than anything I have ever driven. I am very excited to participate in this event and I am looking forward to competeing against some of the best off-road drivers in the world. Robby Gordon is a great guy and a very talented driver. I can learn alot from him and that is exactly what I intend to do."
BJ Baldwin is a regular driver in the SCORE and BITD desert racing series and was the 2006 SCORE Trophy Truck Champion. He is also the current Trophy Truck points leader in the SCORE series.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Vanguard Integrity Professionals Terminates Sponsorship of Team Gordon, Inc. for 2008, 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rally
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Andrew Lavin
A. Lavin Communications
(212) 290-9540
alc@alavin.com
Vanguard Integrity Professionals Terminates Sponsorship of Team Gordon, Inc. for 2008, 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rally
-- Company Initiates Litigation to Prohibit Team Gordon from Associating Itself with Vanguard Trademarks --
LAS VEGAS -- March 26, 2008 -- Vanguard Integrity Professionals, Inc. announced today that on Jan. 30, 2008 it terminated its sponsorship of Team Gordon, Inc. for the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Dakar Rallies.
On Jan. 4, 2008, the Dakar Rally 2008 was cancelled by the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) due to threats of terrorist attacks by al Qaeda against the Rally and its participants.
Vanguard is in the business of security, providing security software and services to many government agencies and Fortune 500 companies around the world. The company’s software protects its customers from internal and external threats including cyber-terrorism attacks.
At the time of the cancellation of the 2008 Rally, Vanguard had independently confirmed the terrorist threats and agreed with the ASO’s decision to cancel the Rally; the risk of attacks by al Qaeda was real, and the risk was simply too great. Factory-sponsored teams registered for the Dakar 2008 and others also supported the ASO’s decision to cancel the Rally due to the terrorist threat.
Vanguard continues to believe Robby Gordon is one of the most talented off-road race drivers in the world, and has the highest respect for his driving abilities. However, with the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally due to terrorist threats, along with Team Gordon’s public statements in response to that cancellation, continued sponsorship of Team Gordon no longer provides Vanguard with the appropriate promotional opportunities.
-more-
Vanguard Discontinues Sponsorship of Team Gordon/page 2
On February 19, 2008, Vanguard took legal action against Team Gordon Inc. seeking an injunction prohibiting Team Gordon from associating itself with Vanguard’s trademarks. Vanguard is also seeking a declaration from the Court confirming Vanguard’s proper termination of the Sponsorship agreement.
About Vanguard Integrity Professionals
Vanguard Integrity Professionals provides enterprise security software and services that solve complex security and regulatory compliance challenges for government agencies and Fortune 500 companies around the world. With solutions for Identity Management, Assurance & Compliance, Access Management and Intrusion Detection, Vanguard automates processes necessary to identify and mitigate the risks customers face. Vanguard’s customers receive a rapid return on investment and are able to focus on other critical business needs thereby becoming more productive and more secure. For more information, visit www.go2vanguard.com.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Argentina to host Dakar Rally in 2009
15-01 | 17:50 hs. Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), Rally Dakar organizer, confirmed Argentina to be the venue for the competition in 2009. Buenos Aires will be the starting line and the finish of the race to become on January 1.
ASO, which will make the announcement soon according to Inforace website, held some meetings with Rally de Argentina and Por las Pampas Rally organizer David Eli and a national government official.
The rally would count on some stages in the Argentine Patagonia, in addition to some other stages throughout Latin America.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Chances are, Dakar race won't be moved to L.A.
Dwight Perry
The Seattle Times
Robby Gordon doesn't pump up his hometown.
Robby Gordon won't be doing any promotional spots for the Los Angeles chamber of commerce any time soon.
"Let's put this in perspective," the Bellflower, Calif., driver told USA Today after this year's Dakar Rally was canceled over fear of terrorist attacks. "I'm pretty sure in L.A. we kill 11 a night on the streets — stabbed, shot, beat up, murdered.
The incident in Mauritania that led to the cancellation "is a couple of kids in the back of a pickup with AK-47s that shot a couple people," he said.
"Shot a couple people" was actually four killed and one wounded, but, hey — like Bluto Blutarsky — why stop him when he's on a roll?
Hungary-to-Mali rally goes on
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) -- While the Dakar Rally is canceled, dozens of drivers are still braving dirt roads and desert sands in a quirkier version of a Europe-to-Africa race.
A caravan of cars, trucks and motorcycles -- including an ambulance, an ice cream truck and a Hummer -- left Budapest on Saturday hoping to arrive in Bamako, Mali, on Jan. 27. It's a journey of some 5,400 miles through eight countries.
More than 300 participants started in the third edition of the Budapest-Bamako rally, an event whose motto is "Anyone, by anything, by any means." But along with the usual dangers of the road, they may have to face an even bigger menace this year -- terrorists in North Africa.
The annual Dakar Rally was canceled last week after organizers said the race had received "direct" threats of terrorism from al-Qaida-linked militants in north Africa, but officials of what is sometimes called the "budget Dakar" decided to go ahead with the competition.
"Our race has not received any terrorist threats," chief organizer Andras Szabo Gal said. "Authorities in Mauritania are aware of our itinerary and while they can't guarantee our safety, security will be strengthened."
After its initial stage from Budapest through Austria to Venice, Italy, the rally will make its way across the south of France and Spain, then cross over to three countries in north Africa -- Morocco, Mauritania and Mali.
Some 40 teams are in the competition section, racing their four-wheel drives not against the clock but each other. The only scheduled events are the daily starts and finishes of the 16 stages and teams score points by completing a wide range of quirky tasks along the way.
One example: Go to Sokolo, a village in Mali, and find Nelson Diarra's home in the Amdalei neighborhood. He has four wives and four homes. Find the right home and look for the letter on the wall.
Most the participants, however, are in the "tour" section of the rally. It's an even wackier event, where vehicles include a three-wheeled Velorex last produced more than 35 years ago in the former Czechoslovakia. Other modes of transportation include a Romanian Dacia, an East German Wartburg, an ambulance to be donated to Bamako rescue services, an ice cream truck and a converted Budapest city bus.
Also making the journey to Bamako -- and hopefully back to Budapest -- is a 54-feet-long bus that for 20 years transported workers building rockets at an army base in eastern Hungary.
"This bus was part of the Cold War but we're using it for more peaceful purposes now," said Akos Sipos, one of the eight passengers on "Bus number 7," named after one of the busiest lines in Budapest and outfitted with a plasma TV, a beer keg and four bunk beds.
The bus, like most of the other vehicles in the rally, is also loaded with bags full of donations such as clothing, medicines and school supplies, which will be distributed along the rally's route in Africa.
Around 25 percent of the participants are from outside Hungary, including teams from Britain, Spain, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
The "K-Team" of Kevin Smith and Kevin Foster -- both from Watford, England -- is taking part thanks to winning a TV competition. They were awarded a 1985 Polski Fiat to use in the rally, which broke down and needed heavy repairs even during test drives around Budapest.
"Any terrorists which see us will just feel sorry for the car and surely let us go," said Foster, 30, a plumber and builder.
The team is supposed to sell the car in Mali and give the proceeds to charity, although it remains to be seen whether they can find a buyer for "Philip," which unlike its drivers did not need to be inoculated against yellow fever or take pills for malaria.
Source: sportsillustrated.com
Friday, January 11, 2008
Officials want to keep Dakar rally alive next year, but unsure where
PARIS - Officials are determined to keep the Dakar Rally alive despite the cancellation of this year's race across the Sahara desert because of terrorist threats.
"We will do everything" for the 2009 rally to take place, French sports minister Bernard Laporte said on RMC-Info radio Thursday.
He argued for the rally to remain "on the African continent, without which there would be no Dakar (rally)."
But Patrice Clerc, the head of organizer ASO, was more cautious.
"We will not let Africa go," he said in an interview with the sports daily L'Equipe published Thursday. "We will go very soon to Africa to talk of the future. But we will not play with security. The planet is vast enough to do 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres in 15 or 20 days in sandy zones."
He said other desert zones in Africa or on other continents could serve as an alternate route. The Chilean government plans to submit a proposal next week to the ASO expressing interest in hosting the race.
Laporte plans to meet managers of the ASO Friday afternoon "to speak about it, to find solutions," he said.
He called it "the world's most beautiful rally" and "an integral part of the French and African sports heritage."
The race was cancelled last Friday because of threats from al-Qaida-linked militants, a day before the roughly 550 competitors were to embark on the 16-day, 9,270-kilometre trek through remote and hostile dunes and scrub from Europe to Senegal in west Africa.
It was the first time that the 30-year-old rally, one of the biggest competitions in automobile racing and formerly called Paris-Dakar, was called off.
Source: The Canadian Press
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Dakar 2009: Hungarians hoping for Dakar-Start in Budapest 2009.
http://www.marathonrally.com/news/dakar_2009_hungarians_hoping_for_dakar_start_in_budapest_2009.8759.0.html
Balázs Szalay, the team leader of the Szalay Dakar team and the representative of the Eastern - European A.S.O. reported on the events of the permanently cancelled 2008 Dakar rally on an extraordinary press conference held today at 13 o` clock in Champs Sport Pub, Budapest. He started his report with a declaration: "I declare in the name of every Hungarian competitor, László Palik, Sándor Kis, László Liszi, Ákos Varga, Péter Szilvási and I, that we do not intend to participate in the Budapest - Bamako tour, because we do not think of this event as a rally, as it is only a tour. We also expect that the Dakar rally will not be confused with the Bamako tour, because the two events cannot be compared." He said that very well founded reasons led to the final decision of the A.S.O. to come to the conclusion of canceling this year’s act of the Lisbon - Dakar Rally. The assurance of the Mauritanian stages became questionable, as they were called upon by the French government on 3 January not to organize the race due to terrorist threats. After the announcement the tournament could have been only held if the organizers’ take full moral and financial responsibility for the rally, the participants and the assistance teams. Obviously, this would have been quite a big risk to take, therefore, had no other choice only to decide on not setting off the race, knowing that this resolution causes millions of Euro loss for the A.S.O. itself. Last Friday in Lisbon under-secretary of State dr. István Újhelyi had a meeting with the organizers about the possibility of the Budapest - Dakar rally taking place in 2009. Originally, the Dakar would set off from Lisbon according to a previously made contract, though the situation does not change and the safety of the tournament cannot be assured, other countries may have a chance and the start from Budapest could also become reality. The under-secretary of State added that `only a pre-contract was singed which does not have any obligation on us and Hungary will undertake the event solely after the conditions of the race is secured and threats only concern the mentioned countries`. The Budapest start of the Dakar in 2010 has to be signed by 15 March to make it final. The Lisbon start of next year’s Dakar was also mentioned alternatively with the possibility of Tunesia, Libia, and Egypt being the participating countries. These places were marked safe by the organizers and the French government cannot interfere in the decision-making process insomuch as in Mauritanian terrains. The A.S.O. would like to compensate the competitors for the disappointment, therefore, they are planning to organize a mid-year desert and a European race and invite all the participants of the Dakar rally. The second race would be realized as an Eastern-European tournament which could be very prosperous for Hungary as it would involve 550 participants. `The Szalay Dakar team, just like the other teams, is in an awkward situation, after all we prepared for the Dakar and our aim was to complete the stages and to achieve the best position possible. We had a very good chance for this, because we prepared with the best technique and background so far, we had outstanding professional support and great mechanics of GM. We would also like to compensate our sponsors, so we will participate on the most competitions possible this year, certainly on the two championships organized by A.S.O. as it is our aim too to make up the lost race-days` said Balázs Szalay. 2008/01/10 01:28 CET Editor: MR/HS/Dakar.hu
South America aims to run Dakar through jungle and Andes - Feature
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/170730.html
Sports News Home
Rio de Janeiro - The Amazonian rain forest and the Andes mountains could replace the African desert as South America is vying to stage the Dakar Rally. Argentina, Brazil and Chile are looking into the possibility of hosting the race later this year and there are also talks about a race through several South American countries and climate zones.
The 30th edition of the Dakar was called off on the eve of Saturday's start in Lisbon because of a terror threat in Mauretania, where most of the stages of the famed race were scheduled to take place before the traditional finish in the Senegalese capital of Dakar.
There is alleged interest from Russia, China and Australia - and the South American options as well to stage the race next December.
"South America is not only the best but the only option," insisted Carlo de Gavardo of Chile on the website of the El Comercio daily.
De Gavardo is a former motorcycle rally World Cup winner and his father Giorgio is the Latin American representative in the Dakar Rally organizing team.
According to de Gavardo, a Dakar in South America could run through Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.
Such a race could cross the Andes Range, run through the Argentinian pampa, the Atacama Desert in Chile, pass Lake Titicaca in Peru and the Machu Picho Inka ruins in Bolivia and as well as the Amazonas rain forest in Brazil.
But there are also one-country bids.
"There are three or four options but Argentina is the favourite," David Ely, organizer of the Argentina rally which is part of the world championship, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
Ely said he will hold talks with the French race organizers on Wednesday and expects a final decision by Tuesday of next week.
However, Brazil and Chile are also interested, with Santiago de Chile Tourist Board chief Oscar Santelices saying that his country offers security, stability, the necessary infrastructure and geographical variety.
In addition, private investors and the state are both working on the issue and Santelices said that support has been requested from sports authorities and the interior ministry. The backing by Head of State Michelle Bachelet is also expected.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Safety has priority: Volkswagen respects “Dakar” cancellation
Wolfsburg (4 January 2008). It is with great regret that Volkswagen acknowledges the cancellation of the 30th Dakar Rally. "The safety of every single participant has absolute priority and for this reason Volkswagen completely and utterly endorses the decision made by the organisers ASO to cancel the start of the Dakar Rally originally scheduled for 5 January,” explains Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member with responsibility for Technical Development at Volkswagen. "We are obviously very unhappy about the cancellation, since we prepared for this rally for an entire year and were extremely well equipped for this sporting challenge.”Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen underlines: "We fully respect the decision for safety purposes, which also have absolute priority for us. The cancellation is a great disappointment for every member of the Volkswagen Motorsport team, particularly as everybody was looking forward to starting this peaceful and fair sporting competition.” At midday on Friday, 4 January 2008 the "Dakar” organisers ASO officially announced that the rally will be not be held due to the significant safety concerns voiced by the French Government regarding the stages in Mauritania. The start of the 30th Dakar Rally was scheduled for 5 January 2008 in Lisbon. The "Dakar” should have finished, as is tradition, after 15 stages and approximately 9,300 kilometres in the Senegalese capital city on 20 January.
Dakar Rally 2010: Budapest to be starting point
BUDAPEST � Budapest will be the starting point for the famed Dakar Motor Rally in 2010, a Hungarian government official told the radio station, Inforadio, yesterday.
�We have already signed a pre-contract agreement with Dakar rally organisers. It will be great for the country,� said Istvan Ujhelyi, state secretary at the Municipal and Regional Development Ministry.
The rally would start from Heroes� Square in downtown Budapest, he said.
This year�s rally, the 30th edition of the race, will start in Lisbon on Saturday and end in the Senegalese capital of Dakar on January 20.
The Rally which lasts for sixteen days will be competed over the fifteen stage of the Rally route.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Ron Bailey at Dakar
We have set up a special Social Networking web site for all of you and yourfriends. Please join in. We will be making daily updates to the site – textmessages, pictures and videos. It is our sincere hope you too can enjoy theadventure of DAKAR this way.Watch us on www.wheresronn.com
Through A Sea Of Sand: Volkswagen Well Equipped For 'Dakar'
Through a sea of sand, longer and harder – the route to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Dakar Rally demands a good portion of respect from the participants just days before the start. Volkswagen faces this 16-day long challenge with four factory entered Race Touareg 2 prototypes driven by Carlos Sainz/Michel Périn (Spain/France), Giniel de Villiers/Dirk von Zitzewitz (South Africa/Germany), Mark Miller/Ralph Pitchford (USA/South Africa) and Germans Dieter Depping/Timo Gottschalk (Wedemark/Berlin). Fifteen stages covering a total of 9,273 kilometres lie before the 570 competitors in the car, motorbike and truck categories who tackle the 30th running of the desert classic starting on 5 January in Lisbon and who aim to reach the finish on in the Senegalese capital Dakar on 20 January.
After Volkswagen won the 2007 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup with Carlos Sainz and Michel Périn at the beginning of November and led the entire field for eight days during the Dakar Rally a year ago the Wolfsburg based automobile manufacturer once again numbers among the small group of favourites to take victory in the world’s hardest and longest rally. "Our goal is and remains to claim the first ‘Dakar’ win for diesel power with the Volkswagen Race Touareg," says Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. Tough anniversary route: A challenge for both man and machine Event organisers ASO devised an extremely challenging route to coincide with the 30th running of the Dakar Rally. The desert classic starts, like the previous two years, in the Portuguese capital Lisbon and finishes traditionally after more than two weeks in Dakar. "Many long and difficult stages await us in between," explains Volkswagen factory driver Giniel de Villiers and 2006 "Dakar" runner-up. Team mater Dieter Depping adds: "The route driven against the clock is almost a third longer than in the previous years and, furthermore, the length of sandy sections is significantly higher." The route runs through the "sea of sand" in the relatively uninhabited country of Mauritania for eight days. "The decisive moment influencing the outcome of the rally can happen on these stages at any time," knows Volkswagen factory driver Mark Miller. "Apart from the fact that it’s easy to get bogged down in soft sand and lose lots of time it’s also easy to get lost. The long days and loneliness in the Mauritanian desert are, in addition, very hard psychologically." Several tracks have not been a part of the rally route for more than a decade. Three time "Dakar" winner Michel Périn who is co-driver to Carlos Sainz is firmly convinced that "the stages before and after the rest day in Nouakchott (13 January) will be tough. The route between Nouadhibou and Atar was last used in 1994 and caused drama after drama at that time because the majority of the competitors got stuck in the dune mountains." Carlos Sainz hits the nail on the head: "This ‘Dakar’ will be a real challenge for man and machine." Volkswagen backs experienced driver/co-driver quartet "We rely yet again on our extremely well-rehearsed and stable team, which has collected even more experience and which functions perfectly together," explains Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. Three of the four factory duos start in the same combination as they did for the 2007 Dakar Rally. The drivers Mark Miller, Carlos Sainz and Giniel de Villiers are members Volkswagen’s factory team since 2005. Carlos Sainz, World Rally Champion in 1990 and 1992, found a new challenge after finishing his career in classic rallying. During the 2007 Dakar Rally the Spaniard and "co" Michel Périn celebrated five stage victories and held the overall lead for four days. In the Rally Transibérico "El Matador", as he is known by his fans, claimed his first overall victory and crowned the 2007 season by winning the FIA Cross County Rally World Cup title. US American Mark Miller with his South African co-driver Ralph Pitchford finished fourth and, in doing so, claimed the best position for a Volkswagen driver in the 2007 "Dakar". The former enduro rider and ex-Fund Manager is highly motivated for the 2008 event. "For me, this ‘Dakar’ is the most important sporting event in my life. To be absolutely ready for this challenge I completed an intensive fitness programme over the last few months and prepared myself meticulously for the event." His team mate Giniel de Villiers celebrated the best ever result for a diesel vehicle in the event’s history after finishing second in a Volkswagen Race Touareg at the "Dakar" in 2006. In 2007 he won the Moroccan Rally together with his German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz. "We work perfectly together," say the pair. "Now we look forward to the challenge of the Dakar Rally." Although the Germans Dieter Depping and co-driver Timo Gottschalk contest their first Dakar Rally at the wheel of a Race Touareg, they are however very familiar with both the Volkswagen team and the desert classic, more recently as crew in a Volkswagen Race-Truck. "I’ve reeled off many thousands of test kilometres and so know exactly just how enormously competitive the car is," says Dieter Depping. Carlos Sousa in fifth Race Touareg 2 entered by customer outfit ‘Team Lagos’ Alongside the four factory cars sporting the striking Red Bull colours a Race Touareg 2 entered by Portuguese "Team Lagos" starts the Dakar Rally for the second time. Competing together, as last year, are Portuguese ace Carlos Sousa, 2003 FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup Champion, and his German co-driver Andreas Schulz, "Dakar" winner in 2001 and 2003. Sousa held the overall lead on the opening two days of the 2007 "Dakar". Large entry list and strong competition In the morning of 5 January five-hundred and seventy competitors roll over the start ramp, 60 more than last year. In addition to the 245 motorbikes and 100 trucks there are 205 vehicles registered in the car category. Apart from the large factory teams, numerous privateers also start and for whom just arriving in Dakar is like a victory. "Our strongest competitor in the battle for victory is the Mitsubishi team which is unbeaten at the Dakar Rally since 2001 and which also relies on four experienced drivers again this year," explains Kris Nissen. "However, at the final round of the World Cup in Dubai we also saw that the BMW X3 drivers are in with a shout, especially Nasser Al-Attiyah who is very good in sand. You also shouldn’t underestimate Robby Gordon in the Hummer and Jean-Louis Schlesser with his Buggy." Extensive detail work on Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 Volkswagen further improved the Race Touareg, powered by an innovative 280 hp, 2.5-litre five-cylinder TDI diesel engine, during an intensive test and development programme. "The last ‘Dakar’ showed that our performance is very good. Afterwards, the target was to specifically optimise details, purely and simply to undertake precision work," explains Eduard Weidl, Technical Director of Volkswagen Motorsport. "An important point was also to simplify and ease work in the cockpit. The sealing of the car was improved to such an extent that hardly any dust penetrates the cockpit. Also, a new air-conditioning system ensures that cockpit temperatures remain acceptable on extremely hot days – they still reach 50 degrees Celsius." Modifying the Race Touareg to suit the new regulations was one of the main points during its preparation. Rally prototypes such as the Race Touareg and the competition from Mitsubishi, BMW and the Buggies can now only be equipped with a five-speed gearbox, six gears were previously allowed. The diameter of the intake air restrictor on the Volkswagen TDI engine was also reduced from 39 to 38 millimetres. This measure should reduce the maximum speed of the top cars. "The changes to the regulations affected all the top teams in the same way," explains Kris Nissen. "We had already defined the Dakar specification for the Race Touareg in August which allowed us to contest the Moroccan Rally and UAE Desert Challenge with the vehicle. The drivers even found the gearbox to be more comfortable as they don’t have to shift gear so often." Kris Nissen: "Well equipped for this demanding and high-calibre sporting event" Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen: "All five Race Touareg are well prepared, the team is highly motivated, and the drivers and co-drivers have not only honed themselves for the competition in tests and rallies, but also during technical training sessions, at fitness camps and navigation weeks. We are also well equipped and are looking forward to a challenging ‘Dakar’ with high-calibre competition. It’s about time that it finally started.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Robby Gordon Selects Dakar Veteran Ronn Bailey to Drive
LAS VEGAS, NV (October 31, 2007) -- Team Dakar USA, the elite off-road racing group established to operate Gordon’s Dakar efforts, announced today the addition of Dakar veteran and off-road driver Ronn Bailey to its racing platform. The announcement was made at the Toyo Tires booth at the SEMA trade show, the premier automotive aftermarket industry event.
Bailey, who is CEO of Vanguard Integrity Professionals, an enterprise security software company, will participate in the next three Dakar Rally events as an integral part of Team Dakar USA and more importantly as Gordon’s esteemed teammate.
Part of the reason that Bailey and Gordon joined together was their mutual belief to demonstrate Team Dakar USA’s All-American effort in the world’s most challenging international off-road race. Winning the race aside, Team Dakar USA’s main objectives will be to highlight American innovation, determination and international goodwill, which are each important to these CEOs.
The upcoming 2008 Dakar Rally will mark both driver’s fourth attempt at winning the world renowned, 16-day event that covers over 6,000 km (3,600 miles) of punishing African terrain.
“Ronn drives fast, hard, and can handle the treacherous terrain and extreme conditions,” Gordon stated. “Even after he flipped his car in last year’s Dakar Rally, he and his crew rebuilt it and drove to the next checkpoint. This is an attribute that speaks highly of him and his commitment to be the best,” said Gordon, who finished eighth overall in the 2007 Dakar Rally earlier this year.
“It’s an exciting day for me and for Vanguard Integrity Professionals, which will also be a proud sponsor of Team Dakar USA for the next three years,” explains Bailey. “It’s an honor to be driving for this team along side Robby Gordon who no one can question is one of the world’s top off-road racers. We will be racing against the largest off-road teams, more than 50 of the words best racers and a lot of great privateers and amateurs. While anything can happen in this race, I expect with our combined experience, resources and passion for the race; Robby will win first place overall and I will be on the podium in the top 20 or better.”
About the Dakar
The 30th Dakar Road Rally starts in Lisbon on January 5th and ends in Dakar, Senegal on January 20th, The 2008 Dakar promises to be longer and more punishing than in previous years to commemorate the 30th Dakar event, and has been extended by an additional 1,700 km. More than one million people are expected to line the routes as the racers head from Lisbon through Spain to Morocco, through Mauritania and into Senegal. In 2007, 245 motorcycles 180 cars and 85 trucks started the race, while only one-third finished. www.dakar.com
About Ronn Bailey
Bailey is the founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Technology Officer of Vanguard Integrity Professionals in Nevada. For more than three decades, Bailey has been a recognized leader in information security technology. Bailey has worked closely with governmental agencies and Fortune 1000 companies worldwide to solve security issues at the highest levels of business and government. In addition, Bailey is an inventor and holds several security related patents.
Bailey, 58, a gutsy adventure, having never raced before, decided his first off-road race should be the 2005 Dakar to help promote his business activities. He got lost in the Sahara desert for 3 days and nights. He has since done Dakar in 2006 and 2007, driving all the way to Dakar, Senegal, but the podium has eluded him each year. He successfully finished the 2005 Rallye Maroc race in Africa and has been a 1st through 3rd place finisher in every North American and Mexican race he has entered, save one, when his car was destroyed in a collision by another driver. Dakar 2008 will be Ronn’s 11th race.
About Robby Gordon and Team Dakar USA Gordon, owner of Team Dakar USA, will make his fourth appearance in the Dakar Rally in 2008.
Gordon began Team Dakar USA in 2005 in an effort to showcase American ingenuity and technology in one of the world’s most popular sporting events. Although participating in the 2005 Dakar Rally for Volkswagen, the 2006 Dakar Rally was Gordon’s first attempt as an independent owner. During that race, Gordon was forced to make an early exit from competition during the seventh stage due to a punctured radiator, which sidelined the team for the remainder of the event. In the 2007 Dakar Rally, Gordon and his team became the first Americans to win a stage in the Dakar Rally. While Gordon claimed his third stage win in his third Dakar attempt, he also captured the Open Category honors with his eighth place finish overall.
PR Contacts:Rob Harris, Robby Gordon Motorsports, e-mail: rharris@teamgordon.com, Phone: (704) 949-1255
Andy Lavin, Vanguard Integrity Professionals/Ronn Bailey, email: media.relations@go2vanguard.com Phone: (702) 794-0014
Julie Sediq, Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation, e-mail: SediqJ@toyotires.com, Phone: (714) 229-6111.
Posts
