**Dakar Cancelled** The Official Dakar 2008 Updates Thread

I figured I'd start it off since the broadcast schedules just popped up on Versus. I checked TSN for our friends up north, but nothing is posted yet.

*EDIT The TSN Canadian schedules look to show daily updates from 7 to 7:30pm starting on the 6th.

Daily Information:

Dakar
Here
Marathonrally
Raid-Live

Where to listen:

http://www.rallyraidio.net/

Where to watch:

Versus - Same as last year it seems. Half hour updates from 3:30 to 4pm EST starting on January 6th with daily repeats from 6:30 to 7pm EST. So far, one, hour long wrap up is on the schedule for January 27th from 4 to 5pm EST.

Also of course, Eurosport.com

Who to watch:

ADVrider inmates:
Race Number - Entrant - Inmate handle

152 - John Deykes - cagiva900
205 - Christophe Barriere Varju - CBVRacing
117 - Guido Faber - DakarRider
136 - Don Hatton - Destination Dakar
27 - Jonah Street - jonah s
234 - Richard Kaye - kayesport.com
125 - Charlie Rauseo - lastpace
137 - Tod Davidson - spudbashin'ATC

Non-ADVrider's of note:

40 - David Schwartz (AUS) - Supported by Rally Management Services
19 - Martin Macek
Donald Duck's friends 54 - Kemal Merkit and 55 - Kutlu Torunlar from Turkey
93 - Annie Seel (SWE)
41 - Mick Extance (GBR)

Thanks. I updated to includes Nate's link.

Sure does.

Site looks great!

Marc Coma
While his Spanish compatriots are immersed in pre-Christmas stress, Marc Coma is counting down the days until January 5, the beginning of the 30th Dakar Rally. How a favorite in the motorcycle category is preparing for the legendary desert rally, Coma disclosed in an interview.

One month to go before the highlight of the season. How does a day in the life of Marc Coma look right now?

Very busy. Most of the time I spend in Los Monegros, a region similar to the rally’s, about 150 kilometers from my hometown. I do driving and navigation training there. I’m also doing weight and stamina work-outs.

On the bike the trials and tribulations at the Dakar are huge. What influence does physical fitness have on performance?

A very big one. Especially this time. Because the rally is celebrating its 30-year jubilee, the organizers have made it tougher than usual. The stages in Mauretania in particular will be hell. Most people think of a desert as being flat with a few sand dunes – but what lies ahead of us is mountainous terrain and a treacherous combination of sand and course gravel.

What motivating image do you think of when you take on month-long training full of pain and hardship for the Dakar?

I don’t need any motivational help. The training itself makes me happy!

How much would you say your recently won Raids World Championship title says about your chances of winning?

The title is a good omen, but no more than that. Because the championships and the Dakar are really two completely different contests. At the Dakar so many unforeseen things can happen – to be lucky at the right moment is a really important factor for winning.

“If you understand it, the desert can be your friend,” is what you’ve said. Did the friendship suffer any set-backs after your serious accident last year?

No, definitely not. We made a mistake back then and we learned from it. One of the peculiarities of the Dakar is that tiny problems can very quickly become huge ones. But I don’t want to talk about the accident any more. I prefer to look ahead.

How would you describe your relationship to Cyril Despres, who can thank your accident for his victory last year?

Our relationship is great. He’s the favorite, the man to beat this year. I really respect him.

Cyril also talks about you with respect. He says that desert riders are a particular species, because the dangers often necessitate sticking together and competitiveness just falls by the wayside ...

That’s so true. For us it’s about fair play above all else, and in a dangerous situation each one of us can rely on the others. You hardly find this attitude in any other sport.

An attitude that fits well with this reflective season. What do you want for Christmas that might be able to help you at the rally?

Nothing. Because, so close to the race, I won’t have time to celebrate Christmas properly. I mean, of course there’ll be dinner with my family. But more than likely I’ll already be thinking of the Dakar ...

Fixed it, thanks.

Schwarz returns to Dakar with KTM

After a two year absence from entry into the world’s toughest rally – DAKAR –South Australian rider, David Schwarz, will be returning with KTM in January 2008 to embark on the 10,000 km road and off-road grueling event.

An experienced rally rider, Schwarz has successfully competed in many Australian off-road and rally style events, including the Australian Safari, the Finke Desert Race and the Condo 750, but his biggest achievement was at the 2005 Dakar when he took a third place positioning in the 450 class, whilst finishing 37th overall with Motorex KTM Rally Team.

Commenting on his return to the unforgiving terrain that is Dakar, Schwarz said, “A combination of lack of sponsorship and the loss of my good friend and team mate Andy Caldecott, delayed my return to Dakar for two years, but now I’m in a place where I feel I can concentrate on the event and give it my best.

“After a lot of discussion with my family and friends I decided it was time for me to go back, as I don’t want to leave a return any longer. I want to go when I’m in the right mind frame and fit enough to handle the conditions.

“I will enter this year’s Dakar on the KTM 690 Rally, as a privateer with the help of KTM Australia.

“Financially Dakar breaks the bank and unfortunately I don’t have any major sponsors on board to cover the costs, but a few small businesses have come forward to offer me support like Mark Eland Fabrication in Queensland and Adelaide Kurbing, so they deserve a mention.

“There are also a few industry sponsors helping me for this event which are Gas Imports who do Thor clothing, Berick boots plus CNR Imports who do Scott Goggles.

“I’m hoping that I may also be able to generate some more industry support and I certainly won’t be knocking back any offers for help.

“I’m now in the planning stages to leave Australia in late December, but there is an incredible amount I have to do before then in preparation. I’m still trying to organise my FIM licence which requires a cardiogram and ECG, then I have to sort out insurance, visas and the list goes on.

“In terms of the racing, my game plan for the 2008 Dakar is to make sure I get to the finish at Lac Rose and to do the best I can, that way the results will look after themselves.

“The toughest terrain will be in Mauritania, where the stages are between 600 and 800 kms long and it is sand dunes the whole way. I know I have the speed and navigational skills, it’s just a matter of putting it all together and having a trouble free run.”

The 2008 Dakar will run from 5 to 20 January covering Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal.