Dakar Cancelled?

[rsv gone!]

Citing threats from an Algerian-based branch of well-known Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, recent killings and "international tensions," Dakar Rally organizers terminated the 2008 event on Friday, January 4, a day before it was to begin.

Link

[Beemer-5]

Feckin religious crap has an awful lot to answer for in the world.

[Twinpipe]

If there wasn't any religion would there be any wars??

[RemaL]

read this a few weeks ago. bloody shame. was looking forward to watching it

[Grant.D]

RemaL said:

read this a few weeks ago. bloody shame. was looking forward to watching it

+1

[JackHolroyde]

we insured it - a right pain in the arse for the PR guys!

[Reidy10_0]

If they dont want the Dakar passing through spending all the cash that i am sure they could do with then F^%$£ them.
I would have thought they could have re staged that section some where else.

[laminator]

I was in Portugal to watch the rally. I found out on the Friday afternoon it was cancelled, I was not a happy chap.

[bikerPaul]

Reidy10_0 said:

I would have thought they could have re staged that section some where else.

Something like 7 or 8 of the stages (virtually half) were through the country that the French were concerned about. Suspect that if it had just been one stage that it would've been cancelled.

Paul