Topic: Africa Race 2012

[member]

Ha,

Sasja en ik zijn dit jaar bij de Africa Race erbij, als persteam vanuit Dutch Rally Press. Het is onze eerste grote woestijnrally, die we voor Rallymaniacs en Marathonrally gaan verslaan. Foto's, verhalen..

De Africa Race sneeuwt meestal onder in het Dakar geweld, maar met elke dag nieuws willen we er wat meer aandacht aan geven. Er zijn veel avonturen en er gaan bekende teams en rijders mee. Daar zitten ook prachtige verhalen in.

Aangezien het voor ons het eerste verslag is van een wedstrijd die we niet zelf hebben gereden is het ook wel spannend. We gaan op punten komen waar we liever met de racer zouden zijn. Maar we gaan ook momenten meemaken waar je vooral als journalist verslag van wil doen :-)

Nog ruim een maand, dan vertrekken we 

[member]

Gaaf, mooie wedstrijd, hoeveel deelnemers dit jaar?

[member]

Gaaf, mooie wedstrijd, hoeveel deelnemers dit jaar?

Stuk of zes zeven geloof ik

[member]

Lekker cynisch Jac, zo kennen we je 

De Africa Race is in omvang niet te vergelijken met de Dakar, dat is duidelijk. Met de sluiting van de inschrijving afgelopen week zullen de deelnemerslijsten wel bekend worden. Als het goed is wordt er in Belgie ook nog een teamvoorstelling gedaan, begin december.

Vanuit Nederland weet ik zo een paar teams die meerijden, o.a. Hofland die de auto van Tijsterman hebben gekocht. Vincent Thijs doet mee en Eric Brandt met de Porsche 911 Safari. Of er ook bekende brommers gaan weet ik niet - maar jullie wellicht wel.

[member]

Info N#12 - November 2011
Challengers under pressure...

This fourth edition of the Africa Eco Race promises to be exciting on two or four wheels. A few weeks before the start, trying to imagine the final podium in Dakar, on the 8th of January, seems to be a difficult exercise. Everyone will have a chance to put his name on the 2012 top ranking as the balance between competitors is real.

On two wheels, the challengers are numerous. Between 450cc and "big cylinders", difficult to know which rider will be the more efficient. Each of these categories has its own advantages and the clue will be to exploit the full potential of these machines to win.
Riding in the + 450 cc category, Oscar Polli and Norbert Dubois will probably offer a fierce fight. The highly experienced Italian rider is delighted to return to Africa for a major event. Its goal: to see the beach of Dakar and if possible, in a great position! Norbert Dubois, second of the Africa Eco Race 2011, will celebrate its 20th participation in a rally raid. A birthday that he would love to celebrate on top of the podium...

In the 450cc category, the fight promises to be very open and we will have to wait the end of the first stage to establish any hierarchy. Experienced riders or beginners, all of them are ready to fight.

Among the cars, although the triple winner of the event, Jean-Louis Schlesser, will again be part of the race, the driver-manufacturer will have to face a real armada of two-wheel drive cars, especially with the high level Team Henrard. The Belgian team has already announced his intentions with the two Tarek buggies, driven by Yves Fromont and Patrick Martin while Stephane Henrard (2nd in 2011) will drive his "latest baby » fresh out of his workshops. Stephane will drive a « light » buggy with relatively low operating costs. A car he wishes to market in the future.

In the 4x4 category, Jacky Loomans promises to be the favorite on his new Toyota. In this category, competition is not an empty word. On their Toyotas, Mitsubishis, Nissans and Bowlers, crews are very experienced. Just like previous years, we note a strong contingent of vehicles "made in England" of different types as Desert Warrior, Nemesis or Wildcat. For the first time, the SSVs will be part of the race.

Perhaps the most impressive category on track, the trucks, will propose once again high emotions. Tomas Tomecek, 2011 winner, on his Tatra will be more combative than ever to compete.
Second of the previous edition, the Portuguese Elisabete Jacinto (MAN) is looking for her revenge. Elisabete is already looking forward to face her main opponents.
Noël Essers (MAN) and Patrick Hillewaere (MAN) will certainly not miss the opportunity to be the best challengers just like Michel Salvatore who will drive his brand new Scania.

Some more surprises are still to come on the Africa Eco Race 2012...

Inschrijving ( als je er op tijd bij zou zijn) voor de motor is ook al €9400,--, ex veiligheidsequioment (Iritrack gps etc)

Ben heel erg benieuwd naar jullie verhalen en foto's, en geef maar een gil als je nog iets nodig hebt 

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Komt zojuist nog binnen:

Info # 13 - November 2011
The Africa Eco Race 2012…
between Saint-Cyprien and Dakar !

This is from Saint-Cyprien, a town in southern France, close to the Pyrenees and along the Mediterranean Sea that the fourth edition of the Africa Eco Race will be launched on 27th of December. Saint-Cyprien, a resort, not so far from Perpignan, wished to participate in this event by welcoming all competitors in the best conditions for the administrative and technical scrutineering. A nice start for connecting two continents, Europe and Africa and a finish for this great race on the shores of the Atlantic, on the 8th of January, in Dakar.
The 2012 route by René Metge ...

Always attentive to the wishes of competitors, René Metge, wanted this year again, to maintain the right balance on the route of the 2012 Africa Eco Race. Between difficulties, fun to drive, always in beautiful scenery, the sporting director of the event seems satisfied with the itinerary.

"I will not lie, the route is generally quite demanding. With nearly 3.500 km of special stages and minimized liaisons, this edition will be very "sporty".
But my first warning is to avoid any precipitation on the start of the race. The start will be challenging due to the tracks conditions, heavily damaged on some places, as a result of heavy rains. Morocco will propose all terrains and all difficulties it is possible to encounter on a rally raid. Mauritania will remain true to itself, with its majesty and its vast desert. A pure joy for all the dunes and sand lovers. My favourite stage, on a sporting point of view, will be the 9th stage between Akjoujt and Tenadi. A great moment for your eyes. During the last leg on Mauritania, everything could happen and overall classification could really change.
Globally speaking, on this route, it will not be necessary to go very fast to be efficient but it will essential to preserve the car while remaining vigilant to avoid navigation mistakes. Again this year, it will be a determining factor.
I'm quite satisfied with the result but I must admit that finding such a route was not easy. We drooled! Moreover, the recos required a week longer than for the 2011 itinerary... "

Competitors are warned, the 2012 Africa Eco Race remains true to the values of the rally by mixing difficulties and pleasure in perfect harmony.
2012 AFRICA ECO RACE ROUTE

27th of December 2011 : Saint-Cyprien - Administrative and Technical checks

28th of December 2011 : Saint- Cyprien – Almeria (Spain) : 1027 km
Boat from Spain to Morocco

29th of December 2011 : Nador – Tarda (Morocco)
Liaison : 239,40 km – SS : 276, 90 km – Liaison : 106 km

30th of December 2011 : Tarda – Mhamid (Morocco)
Liaison : 8,26 km - SS : 375,14 km

31st of December 2011 : Mhamid – Assa (Morocco)
SS : 414, 14 km – Liaison : 75,90 km

1st of January 2012 : Assa – As Sakn (Morocco)
Liaison : 10,76 km – SS : 290,23 km – Liaison : 14,75 km

2nd of January 2012 : As Sakn – Dakhla (Morocco)
SS : 376,67 km – Liaison : 348,18 km

3rd of of January 2012 : Dakhla (Morocco) – Boulanouar (Mauritania)
Rest day / Border crossing: 381 km

4th of January 2012 : Boulanouar – Akjoujt (Mauritania)
SS : 425,89 km – Liaison : 9,66 km

5th of January 2012 : Akjoujt – Akjoujt (Mauritania)
SS : 412,34 km

6th of January 2012 : Akjoujt – Tenadi (Mauritania)
SS : 445,48 km

7th of January 2012 : Tenadi (Mauritania) – Kebemer (Senegal)
SS : 280 km – Liaison : 394,76 km

8th of January 2012 : Kebemer – Dakar (Senegal)
Liaison : 130,96 km – SS : 23,83 km – Liaison : 41 km

[member]

Hey Niels succes man, mooi om ervaring op te doen!

hou ons op de hoogte, wel leuk dat er een 2de rally gelijktijdig is met de Dakar, zal ik dan toch maar 2wkn vrij nemen in januari?

[member]

Dat ze toch gelijk terug in Parijs vertrekken,gelijk de echte Dakar.

[member]

Lekker cynisch Jac, zo kennen we je 

Niet zo bedoeld Niels , wat mij betreft mag de Africa Race groter worden als Le Dakar , ik vind het jammer dat het deelnemersveld al enkele jaren heel gering is bij de Africa Race , ondanks dat blijven ze gewoon doorgaan , dus ik wens ze in ieder geval het allerbeste !!

[member]

17 DECEMBER motorcross terrein Lommel (B) vanaf 11 uur bijeenkomst deelnemers Belgie en Nederland.

[member]

http://www.art-of-speed.be/index.html
 
Dit is de site van Jacky Loomans (B) staan dagelijks wat foto's op.

[member]

Dutch Rally Press is aanwezig met een auto, en probeert elke dag een verslag en foto's door te sturen: http://rallymaniacs.nl/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=88888984&Itemid=88889109

[member]

Probeert?? Het is wel ff werk maar ze komen online die verhalen. Gisteravond via de BGAN, en als het met de organisatie lukt straks nog even via het reguliere kanaal. Vandaag in een kloof gestaan, prachtige foto's gemaakt. En vervolgens over de piste naar Tan Tan - vier bergpassen over paadjes van ongeveer 2 geitjes breed :-)

[member]

Jaloers!