The Prague Post
September 7th, 2008
Endowment Fund     Business Listings ONLINE      Reservations      Classifieds    Subscriptions

Home » Archives » Sports

Left in the dust

Dakar Rally cancelled by terrorist threats

By František Bouc
Staff Writer, The Prague Post
January 16th, 2008 issue

COURTESY PHOTO
The 2007 Dakar Rally saw Team Tatra finish third, the team's first year led by Aleš Loprais, who took over from his legendary uncle.
enlarge
COURTESY PHOTO
enlarge
Ten years ago, then 18-year-old Aleš Loprais listened eagerly to his uncle, Karel Loprais, as he talked about the perils of racing in the famous Paris-Dakar Rally.
As Karel recounted his most recent win — one of his eventual six titles in the epic race’s truck category — what Loprais remembers most vividly from his uncle’s story that day was the rally’s most unexpected turn: an encounter with armed robbers.
“It was hard to believe when he was talking about armed robbers who attacked them and even stole one of the Tatra trucks,” Loprais said. “The robbers didn’t hesitate to shoot but, luckily, everyone emerged unhurt.”
Despite this story, or perhaps partially because of it, Loprais has always dreamed of recording his own victory in the rally. Last year he succeeded his uncle as the lead driver of the family racing team, finishing third overall in the truck category.
“Dakar is a true Mecca of rally racing,” he said. “I hope I’ll be able to follow in my uncle’s footsteps — apart from clashing with bandits.”
Loprais felt even more confident this year, as did his mentor: “Uncle Karel predicted that I could win this year,” Loprais said.
But thanks to an unlikely and sinister villain, the younger Loprais will have to postpone his dreams of winning the Dakar Rally for one more year. Or, possibly, forever.
On Jan. 4, the rally was canceled just a day prior to its scheduled start because “terrorist organizations” had made direct threats against the race, according to France’s Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), which is in charge of the 3,720-mile rally.
The threats come in the wake of security concerns in Mauritania, where four French tourists were killed in late December. The ASO said in a statement that it had been advised by the French government to cancel the race, which was to begin in Lisbon.
It is the first time the 29-year-old rally has been canceled, though individual stages have been suspended in the past for safety reasons.
The announcement shocked the competitors.
“About a third of the guys had tears in their eyes,” Loprais said. “They realized that their year-long preparations were wasted. It was a victory for terrorists.”
Some veterans of the rally said the decision to cancel the race may have been rushed.
“The killings in Mauritania may have been an incidental attack,” said biker Ivo Kaštan, who has participated in the Dakar Rally six times.
“In Africa, it is women who work while kids run around and men loiter outside with weapons,” he added. “Maybe the terrorists took this opportunity just to advertise themselves.”
Loprais, however, did not question the decision of the French organizers. “They had strong information from the intelligence services and it would’ve been impossible to guarantee drivers’ safety,” he said.
He remembers well his uncle’s story of how he feared for his life 10 years ago. But Loprais also has other fears, including the response of his team’s sponsors, who did not receive their expected exposure throughout the race.
“Many drivers are afraid of financial collapse,” he said. “One has to invest lots of money throughout the year into adapting a truck or other vehicle for the Dakar Rally. Sponsorship support is essential.”
As a result, Loprais and the other Czech drivers who were poised to race to Dakar are now considering participating in other stage rallies this year. “A rally from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Beijing could be challenging,” he added.
While there are fears in the motoring community about whether the Dakar Rally will ever again take place in Africa, Loprais remains upbeat.
“It’s got such a rich tradition that everyone will push it forward,” he said.

František Bouc can be reached at fbouc@praguepost.com


Other articles in Sports (16/01/2008):

Browse the Current Issue

If you enjoyed this article, why don't you subscribe to the print version!
We accept secure online transactions provided by PayPal and Moneybookers

Be the first to add a comment!


Full Name: *
City: *
E-mail: **
This comment can be published in the print version of The Prague Post
Enter the text on the right:
 visual captcha
Comment: *
* Required field. In order to be approved for display, comments must have a first and last name and a city.
** E-mails are required and will only be used for internal purposes.

Most visited in Business Listings

Hotel booking
The Prague Post Online contains a selection of articles that have been printed in
The Prague Post, a weekly newspaper published in the Czech Republic.
To subscribe to the print paper, click here.
Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.