Lisbon – Dakar Rally is ON!

Sad news that the expected winner of the bikes section , Marc Coma was hospitalized after a crash. Official Dakar page states that they employ 10 helicopters and 20 fixed wing aircraft.

Stationary for a few minutes, Eurocopter F-GKMB acting as Medical 3.

Great view of the planes tonight, well they weren’t too far away! Hope you U.K. viewers get your rally/snooker viewing preferences in the correct order. Check the criticism that Eurosport are getting on the their rally forum!:D

Added, you may not actually see any rally tonight as the stage was cancelled due to security concerns in the area.

What happened to the Paris stage?

Where was the smiley after your comment?:D The French Connection finished in 2001 hence the name of the race, Lisbon – Dakar !:)

What happened to the Paris stage?

Anyone knows where to find pictures or videos of the airstrips which are used for the support flights for the Dakar rally? I searched the net but nothing comes up, apart from some old pics at the other site.Must be a great sight: Antonovs, Herks, ATR’s and the like landing and take off at those dusty desert airstrips.Tillerman.

You’ll be lucky! I think the airstrips must be at the end of each stage as the aircraft are always in the background shot which means that stage ends are planned to be next to the aircraft. Would make sense. With the limited amount of coverage that Eurosport give this on TV every day, we are lucky to see a helicopter shadow. Check the Eurosport forum for complaints about limited coverage about any part of the race!

Anyone knows where to find pictures or videos of the airstrips which are used for the support flights for the Dakar rally? I searched the net but nothing comes up, apart from some old pics at the other site.

Must be a great sight: Antonovs, Herks, ATR’s and the like landing and take off at those dusty desert airstrips.

Tillerman.

Just spotted AN-12 UR-CCP presumably chartered by ELF.

Just noticed that there are no U.K. entries, is this right, what has happened?

And apologies to the English riders/drivers I overlooked, Round, Rochelle, Hayward, Extance, Broome, Malone, Askey, Dickinson, Myers and Walker.:o

The Dakar is well known to be an extremely difficult race and the competitors are fully aware of the dangers which are present throughout the course of the competition. It is unfortunate that riders are he ones most likely to be harmed and sometimes, as seen with the unfortunate death of this competitor, the accident can be a deadly one. However, for many if not all of them, they are fully aware of the risks which are involved in taking part in this incredible adventure. If they were worried about dying, I am sure they wouldn’t sign up to participate in what is known to be the toughest automotive event on the planet.

I have been a big fan of the Dakar ever since it’s inception. I remember the run the Porsche 959 hd two years running. The success encountered by the Peugeot 205 and 405 along with the Citroens. And of course, who can forget the absolute domination displayed by the Mitsubishis in recent times. Its a great event and sometimes, I which I had enough courage to sig up myself to understand the myth this race has become.

The race has now claimed 49 lives in its 29-year existence, 24 of them competitors.

Finally spotted an Eurocopter today, F-GXPE.

Just found the lone U.K. entry, Robbie Allan from Scotland on a bike, number 129, GO Scotland!

The oldest entry would seem to be a 2CV, highly modified.