We are disappointed by Vanguard's decision to present our
issues to the media. But given the
inaccuracies and misleading statements recently published by Vanguard, we want
to make sure that the public is aware of important information pertaining to
the 2008 Dakar event.
The organizer of the Dakar races, ASO, will present the
2008 Dakar Series race in Central Europe beginning April 19, 2008. As with the originally planned Dakar event,
the race in Europe will be a cross country endurance off-road event that will
traverse threatening and difficult terrain in multiple stages. The race will be covered by international
media, and the coverage will be carried by media outlets throughout the
world. ASO describes the 2008 Dakar
event, dubbed the Central Europe Rally, as follows: "The demands on
competitors of the Central Europe Rally will be equivalent to those of the
Dakar. The quality of competition also
guarantees strong media interest."
Team Dakar USA major sponsors Hummer, Monster Energy, and
Toyo Tires will all participate in the 2008 Dakar Series race in Europe, as
will virtually all of the major competitive teams. Robby Gordon of Team Dakar USA, the only
American driver ever to win a stage race in the Dakar, is pleased with the
level of support and interest that the new 2008 Dakar event has received thus
far. "We are very excited about the
race and our chances in Europe. ASO has
promoted the race. Our sponsors are
generally pleased and our cars are fast. We expect to put on a great race and
do well."
Monster Energy’s Joe Parsons states they will stand behind
Robby Gordon's off road effort. “We are
very excited about the Central Europe rally that will take place in Budapest starting
April 19th to the 27th 2008."
Monster energy will continue to support Team Dakar USA
and Robby Gordon through at least the 2010 Dakar. “RG represents our brand well
and does an awesome job for us on and off the track.”
Dwight Woodbridge, General Motors Racing Off Road Program
Manager added the following:
"We at GM are certainly looking forward to the
Central European Rally, the first of the Dakar series events. The Hummers are ready, the best I have ever
seen them as the team did a great job preparing them for the return to
Europe. Team Gordon has improved the
race Hummers, including a very valuable test session stateside to tune them for
the expected terrain in Eastern Europe.
I feel we will be very competitive and we have supplied both Hummer H3
race trucks with fresh engines for the race.
Hummer is poised to take advantage of the European route, as it offers
new and unique opportunities to promote the brand. We appreciate the effort the organizers put
in to creating an event on short notice to fulfill and satisfy our program
needs and appreciate all the partners that focused on moving forward under
difficult circumstances. We look forward
to participating in the first of a new historical chapter in the Dakar
event."
Team Dakar USA and its sponsors are looking forward to
the 2008 Dakar Series race in Central Europe with high expectations and great
enthusiasm. We will provide more
information as the race draws near.
Watch for your local coverage.
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