Paris to Dakar CANCELED

[IlliniRacer]

This sucks -

Terror threat leads to cancellation of Dakar Rally (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=99&id=3180745)

[Elmo T]

:( I had the DVR locked and loaded for the broadcasts.

Given the scope of this event, it is hard to believe this hasn't come up in previous years.

[opinionated ow]

this blows. the terrorists have one, paranoia prevented an event form going ahead.

[TrueBrit]

Complete BS....:thumdown:

[nrc]

I don't think this is just paranoia. There's been enough banditry, kidnappings, and murder in North Africa in recent years to show that the rally is a target ripe for picking.

[TrueBrit]

To kidnap them they'd have to catch up to the drivers first though, right? :D

[Methanolandbrats]

Use these for support choppers and they could still race

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Campus/2953/images/LongbowApache.jpg

[G.]

just sad.:shakehead

[High Sided]

:cry:

[Ankf00]

http://rickardandersson.files.wordpress.com/2006/10/ah-1z.jpg

[Gnam]

Have they tried setting up beach volleyball courts to calm the natives.

Hugs not thugs.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5823/spr4ib6.jpg

[Methanolandbrats]

Have they tried setting up beach volleyball courts to calm the natives.

Hugs not thugs.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5823/spr4ib6.jpg

No, but CHAMPCAR should have beach volleyball in the paddock. :thumbup:

[STD]

^ Mr. G and Johnson, you would think could muster that up. :rofl:

[Fio1]

You know for the first time ever I agree with Robby Gordon. He said, "there's no reason why we couldn't have raced a few stages in Morocco or Portugal where there wasn't the same risk."

If Mauritania was the problem, why not just cancel those 8 stages instead? Imagine all the teams, sponsors, etc who worked all year for this race just be told no go. All that time, all that money all for nothing. :shakehead

[G.]

If Mauritania was the problem, why not just cancel those 8 stages instead? :shakeheadCuz it's the French??

[pchall]

Just wait until Al Queda tries this again in May. :tony:

[cameraman]

If Mauritania was the problem, why not just cancel those 8 stages instead? A couple reasons:

1. The race only has 15 stages, you would be canceling over half of it.

2. How would you get all those cars, bikes and crews from Tan Tan, Morocco to Kayes, Mali without going through Mauritania?

[Gnam]

this blows. the terrorists have one, paranoia prevented an event form going ahead.
I remember an interview with one of the post-war grand prix drivers. He was asked how he could justify the risk of participating in a sport where several drivers were killed each year. His response was along the lines of, "Here on the track accidents happen, but at least no one is shooting at us."

The focus of the article this interview appeared in was how the perception of acceptable risk changes. The WWII vets didn't take steps to protect themselves, racing in t-shirts and leather helmets, because racing didn't seem dangerous compared to the perils of combat. They were also much more familiar with death, living during a time when millions perished.

However, just two generations removed from that period, the perception of what is safe has changed completely. Driver injuries are no longer expected. A fatality is unacceptable. Safety First instead of Safe Enough governs all decisions. This is a good thing. Today's drivers are not soldiers. It is one thing for a driver to risk his own life, it is something else entirely for someone to risk it for him.

Like all great pastimes, auto racing is a peacetime activity requiring cooperation and good will. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world they are threatening to shoot at racecar drivers again.

On that basis, cancelling the Dakar Rally is the right call.

[Methanolandbrats]

So I guess this rules out a Champcar Street Race in Mauritania :(

[dando]

http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/news/story?seriesId=99&id=3186605

Chile? How 'bout racing up the Andes ala Pike's Peak? :gomer:

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

Robbie Gordon not happy. Lost $4.5MM

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2008-01-07-Dakar-Rally-Gordon_N.htm

[dando]

Rubby Gordon not happy. Lost $4.5MM


Fixed your post for ya. :)

-Kevin

[Fio1]

A couple reasons:

1. The race only has 15 stages, you would be canceling over half of it.

2. How would you get all those cars, bikes and crews from Tan Tan, Morocco to Kayes, Mali without going through Mauritania?

1) Considering the time and money spend on prepping the cars, the teams will lose it all if the cars don't race. Trying telling a sponsor or paying driver that hey man, sorry the race is canceled, but no money back guarantee. 1/2 is better then nothing. Besides now, you automatically gave the victory to the terrorist. That's what they want to do; disrupt western ways. And, good luck having manufactures or major team spend all that time and effort next year.

2) Didn't they do something like that once before at the last minute; fly the whole race out of somewhere? At least now you have a week or so to get the logistics in place.

[High Sided]

oops

[High Sided]

Robbie Gordon not happy. Lost $4.5MM


and a video game ta'boot...

"He said the cancellation also cost a potential sponsorship deal with Microsoft that would have allowed fans to race the 2009 event with an Internet connection via the Xbox."

doesn't state here but at robbys site states turn 10 was looking into making game if robby won dakar, robby is one wheelin' dealin' driver/owner

Robby Gordon + Forza 2 + Road America = Yeah!
http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/blogs/turn_10s_forza_motorsport_blog/archive/2007/12/10/1162178.aspx

[jonovision_man]

Robbie Gordon not happy. Lost $4.5MM

Every cloud has a silver lining. ;)

jono