Following the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally in January, due to terrorist threats, competitors were left disappointed and out of pocket for their efforts on entry.
Australian rally racer, David Schwarz was one of those competitors who had travelled over to Dakar to compete with KTM through team Rally PAN AM.
Promoters of Dakar, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) were not going to let terrorist threats stop the Dakar and started working on a new Dakar Series, which will commence with the Central Europe Rally, taking place from April 20 to 26 in Hungary and Romania.
The Rally will consist of an extremely varied and technical route. Nearly half of the total distance, 3000kms, will be run in special stages.
Commenting on his entry David Schwarz said, ‰ÛÏEveryone who entered Dakar this year, and missed out gets free entry into the Central Europe Rally which was a big drawcard to enter.
‰ÛÏThe competition is going to be just as feirce with KTM and other motorcying manufacturers confirming their top European rally racers will be entering.
‰ÛÏI‰Ûªll be riding the KTM 690 in the open class with support from American team Rally PAN AM, the same team I was riding for in Dakar.
‰ÛÏMarc Coma a former Dakar winner is one of the likely favourites to take out the event, so he will be tough competition, but he does this for a living so he trains a lot more than I get to which is an advantage. No doubt I‰Ûªll also enjoy some battling with Frans Verhoffen, who I had some good fun with at the last Dakar I entered.
‰ÛÏThe Daker Series is also rumoured to have a second event in Spain towards the end of the year, which I also hope to enter. I‰Ûªm really pleased that a positive spin has come out of the 08 Dakar cancellation with the new Dakar Series.‰Û
