Devastated Dakar racers return home

The dreams of Chinese Dakar Rally drivers and riders came to an abrupt end as the world's most grueling auto rally was canceled due to concerns over terrorism and the devastated squad returned to China far sooner than expected.

The car and motorcycle race was due to start in Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday, but the murder of four French tourists in Mauritania on December 24 led the French government to advise against any travel to the North African nation.

Nine of the rally's stages were to pass through Mauritania en route to Dakar, where the rally was scheduled to finish on January 20.

"ASO's prime responsibility is to ensure the security of everyone involved," the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) said in a statement.

"The terrorist menace has wiped out a year's hard work carried out with conviction and passion by the participants and all those involved," it said.

"It's frustrating. A year of hard work has been wasted," said Monarch Mitsubishi Ralliart China Team driver Liu Bin. It would have been Liu's second appearance with a Mitsubishi Pajero Diesel T1.

Liu was one of four Chinese drivers and three motorcyclists making up China's strongest-ever Dakar squad, who just returned to Beijing from Lisbon earlier this week.

Liu said he's unsure what will happen with the sponsorships his team had already secured, but he hopes they will carry over for next year.

"I would definitely take part in the 2009 race if I continue to work with the Monarch Mitsubishi Ralliart China Team," he said.

The premature cancellation was difficult for all drivers to accept, but the rookies seemed to be taking it the hardest. Would-be debutant Hua Qingxian from Honghe Team was devastated.

"I was so sad to hear the news," he said. "To me, it is incredible and even now I hope it was just a joke on me. I have been dreaming of driving in my first Dakar Rally. I hoped to get a good result and give a good return to my sponsor. Now everything's gone.

"I hope I have another chance in 2009. I will try to come back and have my dream come true."

Hua's teammate Xu Lang, who finished 19th at the 2006 Dakar Rally in the best-ever result for a Chinese driver, said it will take time to heal from the mental wound.

"It's like I got an internal injury. I don't know how deep it is. But I know it will hurt me even worse in the following days."

Xu was expecting to improve upon his 2006 finish this year after joining a new team.

"We are better prepared than we were in past races. We have much better cars and team staff. But I only drove the car for 10 km before the bad news," said Xu, who raced with Team Paladin for two years prior to joining Honghe.

"My mind is empty. I am in no mood to do anything else right now. I will go home and spend some time by myself," he said. "I will not think about my plan for next year until I forget this terrible memory."

Zhou Yong from Nissan Oting Team spent the most time of any Chinese racer undergoing physical and technical training. He felt sorry for all the efforts his team put in.

"We've made lots of efforts in the past four months. Everyone had great expectations of me. Now I have no chance and let them down. I am so sorry."

Pouring salt on the Chinese wounds is the fact that the race's cancellation will deprive the three motorcycle riders from the chance to make history.

They would have been the first-ever Chinese riders at Dakar after overcoming a number of problems during the application process, qualifying only at the last minute.

"I am at a loss. We have been fighting a lot for this chance. I am afraid it might be my last one," said Cao Luyi from Jiangsu Jincheng Team. "I don't know if sponsors will continue to support me to compete next year."

Two other riders from Guangzhou Qingfu Team are similarly disappointed, but they remain upbeat about next year.

"I am looking forward to coming back next year and giving the best return to my sponsors," said Wei Guanghui. "As long as 2009 Dakar Rally is not canceled, I am sure I will be there."

Wei's teammate Chen Jianguo agreed.

"This was our first chance, but it will not be the last one."

China Daily

(China Daily 01/11/2008 page23)