Dakar chief rallies local drivers for 2008 race
Dakar Rally general director Etienne Lavigne says he is going to explore ways of bringing more Chinese drivers to the grueling race.
Lavigne is in Beijing on an Asian tour to promote the race, his second China visit in two years.
"I am looking forward to seeing more Chinese faces in Dakar in the future," Lavigne told China Daily on Tuesday. "The past few years I saw a group of Chinese drivers come from nowhere and grow into a force in the race. I was impressed by what they did as rookies on the most punishing race on earth, and now I want more Chinese drivers to know the race. The door of the Dakar Rally is wide open for them.
"The organizers are thinking about creating access for Chinese participants. We will establish a Chinese website in the future and guide Chinese drivers on how to join the race."
Most of the drivers in the inaugural Dakar Rally in 1979 were from France, but now 70 per cent of participants are from elsewhere.
Despite the high cost of the race - minimum expenditure is 150,000 euro ($200,000) per car - a total of seven Chinese drivers have competed in the race since 2003. The best performance came in 2004 when Xu Lang of Team Paladin finished 19th.
"They are great examples for Chinese fans and also vehicle constructers," said Lavigne. "They have great potential and strong hearts, but they need more experience, it takes years to gain the experience that can make you a title contender like Stephane Perterhansel (last year's winner)."
Chinese challenge
Last year, China's "King of Wheels" Lu Ningjun and rookie Liu Bin entered the 8,708-kilometer race from Europe to Africa, finishing 101st and 47th respectively. Liu, driving a Mitsubishi, was the second fastest rookie in the race. Lu, 48, first took part in the 2004 race.
Both drivers have vowed to come back stronger in 2008.
"Coming back from Africa, I've started to understand the saying that the Dakar Rally is an addiction. I am ready to come back next year and conquer it again, and, of course, do better than 101th," said Lu. "I couldn't imagine how tough the race would be until I started it. I think I had good control of my vehicle and my knowledge of the world's most grueling race also matured.
"Some think I am the most experienced driver from China to compete in the race, but, compared with the international drivers, I am still a rookie and have lots of things to learn."
Next year's 15-stage race begins in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 6 and takes competitors through deserts, rocky scrubland and open savannah in Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal.
A total of 525 drivers and bikers confirmed entry for the 2007 edition and the number is expected to be higher in 2008.
(China Daily 06/14/2007 page22)
