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China's 'Dakar Rally' on course for international fame

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-06-04 11:14

Qu Dajun of the Changsha Auto Rally Team waves to reporters during the third leg of the Tour de Taklimakan Desert Auto and Motorcycle Rally in Hami, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, May 31, 2010. [Photo/Xinhua]

HAMI, Xinjiang - Dubbed "China's Dakar Rally", the Tour de Taklimakan Desert Auto and Motorcycle Rally is expected to become the country's first international rally in two years, although sponsorship remains a major concern for the organizers.

Starting in 2005, the rally in the world's second largest desert has attracted more than 100 drivers and 40 riders from all over the country this year, including six-time Dakar participant Lu Ningjun.

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"We now regard the Tour de Taklimakan as a mini-Dakar. It is very challenging and I believe it will prepare me for next year's Dakar," Lu, of the Rely x5 team, said of the 3,800 km event.

The organizers have now set their sights on turning the biggest domestic rally into an international one from 2012.

"The Tour de Taklimakan has grown a lot over the past five years and our next step is to apply for it to be an international event in two years. Hopefully, we can have about 200 auto racers and 100 riders from here and abroad," said Fang Zheng, the general manager of the Tour de Taklimakan Co Ltd.

However, although reluctant to reveal exact figures, Fang said current sponsorship hadn't reached the minimum amount for an international event, which is about 15 million yuan (US$2.2 million).

Despite the fact China has passed the United States as the biggest auto market in the world, the car remains a means of transportation rather than a sport in China, according to Fang.

"There is still no mature rally culture in China. The fans are still too few compared to the large number of car owners and, naturally, many big companies are reluctant to invest in the event," Fang said.

Fang's thoughts were echoed by Lu, who became China's first rally driver 25 years ago.

"Most Chinese people had never heard of rallying in 1985 and now a lot of people can recognize me on the street," Lu said. "But there is still no comparison between auto racing and popular sports like table tennis and basketball in China so it's hard to get lucrative sponsorships," Lu said.

However, Lu said money was not the only problem to resolve before making the event an international one and said refereeing was among the management and logistical weaknesses of the event.

Lu claimed the referees at the Tour the Taklimakan were "cold and arrogant" while those at the Dakar were friendly and encouraging.

"At Dakar, referees are always waiting for the racers at the finishing line despite the flying dirt and sand but here some just sit in their cars no greetings, no smile," Lu said.

"It doesn't seem like a big deal at first glance but that has an effect on the quality of the event. The conditions here are very good for a rally and I hope they improve the management of the event in the coming years."