Dakar 2008 route published

[Tim Cullis]

For the benefit of those who might not be aware, the overnight stops for the rally are constrained to airports that can take the number of planes involved. Nevertheless the 2008 route is quite different from previous years.

Euromilhões Lisboa Dakar: 2008 Edition > The Route

The early part of the route follows the last couple of years' routes - Lisbon > Málaga > Nador > Er Rachidia > Ouarzazate. Then it changes quite a lot by going to Guelmim rather than Tan Tan. Then Smara and into Mauritania where voyeurs can't follow through the sand berm.

After a stop in Atar it goes south west to Nouakchott, then north to Nouadhibou which conveniently allows slow moving spectators to catch up. Then east to Atar following the railway before heading to Kiffa and Dakar.

I've just got permission to take some time off, so will likely be following some stages.

[Tim Cullis]

Potential viewing points
Each day starts with a non-racing liaison to the start of the special stage. Then the special stage which is the actual racing bit. At the end of the special stage there will then be another liaison to the overnight bivouac.

Unless you have advance knowledge of the exact route, it's difficult to intercept the end of the day's special, so the points listed below are where the next day's special starts relatively close to the previous night's bivouac.

5 Jan: special stage starts 104km south of Lisbon
8 Jan: special stage starts 29km south of Er Rachidia
10 Jan: special stage along the beach 66km south west of Guelmim
15 Jan: special stage starts 111km east of Nouhadibou

[Dazzerrtw]

Hi Tim
It's Dazzer { xr400 }
may I ask what your plan's are.
How do you intend to get to the south of Spain,and how long have you got off work.
I have been wanting to go watch a a bit of the Dakar for a long time but eather lack of money or time have stopped me.
I do have a few weeks holiday left and at the moment a bit of cash

[Tim Cullis]

Hi Dazzer

I only got permission from SHMBO a couple of hours ago, so have nothing formulated yet. I will be away minimum three weeks, more likely four or five.

The Portsmouth - Bilbao ferry sails 30 Dec or 2 Jan, arriving two days later. Alternatively Newhaven - Dieppe and ride down through France and Spain. There's no ferries from northern Spain on the return until early February.

I'm probably taking the 1200GSA rather than the XR400.

I don't know any of the competitors this year (the entries are very KTM biased) so will probably give Lisbon a miss and plan to intercept the rally at Er Rachidia, then again at Guelmim. Toying with the idea of going into Mauritania, maybe further.

If you have any suggestions...

Tim

[men8ifr]

Hi Tim,

I guess you know what my rough plans are - to follow the Dakar in Morocco only - arriving there before the Dakar gets there to so some off roading - try to scope out some good viewing points and get used to the country. Then Follow the Dakar for the 4 Morocco stages maybe have 1 or 2 days off after due to covering a lot of distance to keep up with the Dakar then some more off roading / exploring and maybe ideally visit a city for 1 or 2 days to get a flavour.

My preferance would be riding off road the majority of the time where possible though obviously following the Dakar I have resigned myself to covering miles on tarmac with ideally a short off road ride to catch the off road racing special in progress (if possible).

You don't say if you are looking for other riders while you are over there, if you are maybe we can sort something out.

I have a diesel estate car and a trailer could take 2 large bikes which I would probably prefer to take to the south of Spain rather than riding as it would be a lot faster, cheaper and comfortable and no need to change bike tyres etc

Do you have any firmer plans yet or do you prefer to do your own thing?

Ian

[mika]

thanks tim for posting the route here on the hubb,

I will be riding down to Dakar with a few friends (on three or four bikes), but we are going to watch the Rallye in Mauretania and at Lac Rose in Senegal.

Anybody else going down at the same time?

greetings from Bulgaria

Mika

[Toyark]

Hia Tim
Good to see you have such an understanding SWMBO (every year same-o same-o !!)
I'll be ahead of you in Mali at Dakar time but returning towards end Jan
Keep in touch - might catch up and share a camel and prunes tagine or three

[Tim Cullis]

My 1200GSA is being shipped to southern Spain with biketruck.com and I'm flying in to Málaga on 5 Jan. Planning to meet a friend and then watch Er Rachidia and Zagora stages. Then off to Mauri and Senegal to meet my wife who's flying in to watch the finish of the Rally.

Looking forward to the prune tagines but not keen on sharing a camel.

Tim

[deandean]

Hi Tim
Thanks for posting the route.
I live in Spain and will be going down around new year.Not sure yet if just after or before.Will stop in at Moto Andalusia.Never meet the couple who run the place there but they have been helpful concerning a few e mails i fired off to them recently.
I will head to Tarifa....i know a lovely hostal there...El Asturiana...then over to Tanger and then on down to Essaouira..Tiznit then to Guelmim where i hope to catch my first taste of the "DAKAR".I have no idea what to expect so will just be going with the flow.
Decided on that route as it keeps me out of the cold mountains as i intend to camp where possible....dem bones dem bones dem bones!!!
Have a good one....maybe see you there.Keep your eyes out for a miserable looking git singing the praises of his lovely go faster black Africa Twin

[Dakota]

You can always get up very close to the competitors in Malaga. No barriers or restrictions if you stand a little way back from the checkpoint. The riders often stop and talk to you once they've been through before they board the ferry.

Dakar Rally reaches Málaga on Sunday

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by James B

I've just heard a rumour that the Dakar has been cancelled.

Just done a quick search:

Dakar 2008 - Dakar rally close to cancellation - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

[goodwoodweirdo]

Its confirmed.... PD cancelled ....


I'm very sorry to say...;

[ChrisJ86]

Al Jazeera just reported it cancelled.

[Walkabout]

Hopefully, they will all get their entry fees refunded!

The bright side:-
There will be some cheap accommodation deals down that way in the next couple of weeks.

[Dakota]

Sadly it appears to be the case, but no announcement on the Dakar site as yet.

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Rallying | Safety concerns end Dakar Rally