Dakar Series to start a year early with Central European Rally

Riders who were ‘ready to race’ on the ill-fated 2008 Dakar Rally will be able to take part in a new race this April.

Dakar organisers, Amary Sport Organisation (ASO) have announced they will be opening the new Dakar: The Central European Rally to all riders who were affected by the cancellation of the Dakar following terrorism threats.

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The race will take place between Sunday, April 20 to Thursday, April 24, 2008 and will go from Budapest to Lake Balaton in Hungary also taking in parts of Romania.

This is the first event of its kind to run under the Dakar Series certification and other races are set to follow on a similar theme.

The Dakar Series had been set to start in 2009 but has been brought forward after the 2008 Dakar Rally was cancelled in January.

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Any rider who was registered for the Dakar is eligible to enter the Central European Rally, which will cover 3000km, free of charge.

KTM’s Offroad Motor Sports Consultant Heinz Kinigadner said: “The main manufacturers who compete in the Dakar have had meetings in Germany and in Paris together with the organisers.

“All riders who were registered for the Dakar 2008 will be allowed to enter the Central European Rally free of charge so this is some compensation for missing the big race.”

Several KTM factory riders and other privateers are already signed up for the new series, which has taken the edge off the disappointment of the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally.

Heinz Kinigadner also said various options were under consideration for a replacement venue for Dakar 2009 and although there was no official announcement yet, the one most likely would be South America.

He added: “In that case, the rally would start in Argentina and finish in Chile.

“It is important to retain the January date on the racing calendar and this would be one of our few options for another venue for the Dakar.”