KTM welcomes new series

From KTM Racing

KTM factory riders and other privateers onboard KTM machines who were "Ready to Race" in the ill-fated Dakar 2008 have now had the edge taken off their disappointment with the announcement of the first of the new "Dakar": the Central Europe Rally.

Riders now have the opportunity to regain some valuable competition time on their machines in this new event run by the Dakar organizers, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). Set for April 20-24 the rally will offer free entry to any rider registered for the Dakar 2008 and will challenge them over some of central Europe's most varied and demanding terrain. Competitors will tackle over 3000km with nearly half the total distance to be run in special stages.

ASO had originally planned to launch the "Dakar Series" in 2009. Now the Central European Rally 2008 becomes its inaugural event and KTM sees it as another positive milestone in the development of rally sport.

"The main manufacturers who compete in the Dakar have had meetings in Germany and in Paris together with the organisers. All riders who were registered for the Dakar 2008 will be allowed to enter the Central European Rally free of charge so this is some compensation for missing the big race," said KTM's Offroad Motor Sports Consultant Heinz Kinigadner.

The former world champion also underlined that it had been the right decision to cancel the Dakar in January because of terrorist threats. Kinigadner said various options were under consideration for a replacement venue for Dakar 2009 and although there was no official announcement yet, the one most likely would be South America.

"In that case, the rally would start in Argentina and finish in Chile," he said. "It is important to retain the January date on the racing calendar and this would be one of our few options for another venue for the Dakar."

The Central European Rally starts in the Hungarian capital Budapest, forges into the centre of neighbouring Romania and then returns to finish at Hungary's Lake Balaton.