The 8th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE will be a “ grand cru “ in terms of sport with a beautiful pack, announcing a nice battle between the 4×4’s from Eastern countries and the Buggies which are mostly French. A packed two-wheel drive class, especially this year, as the MD RALLY Sport Team has registered seven OPTIMUS Buggies under the colors of Ecurie de Coeur.
Through their participation in the race, gentlemen drivers indeed help the association “Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque” which will operate ten Senegalese children after the AFRICA ECO RACE. On the bikes side Pal Anders Ullevalseter will be back to fight for his title. We will have three women in the race for the first time on the AFRICA ECO RACE. In the truck category, Team KAMAZ MASTER will be favorite.
« The 2016 AFRICA ECO RACE will once again not be an easy rally. It will even be fairly tough since the land has changed. Where there were dunes, now there are stones and vice versa” Rene Metge said..
“However, we managed to find new tracks in Morocco which will make this first week a little less harsh than usual. We will also have fewer liaisons especially on the final Moroccan stage where we will reach Dakhla mainly by the track.
“Mauritania will be as always the judge of the race with 80-90% of sand and incredible landscapes. The advantage this year will be the presence of two loop stages. This Mauritanian week will be less complicated for the assistances without undermining the quality of the course at all! Actually I can tell you that more than ever, arriving at Lac Rose in Dakar will be a real reward for the finishers. »
The ferry carrying the caravan of the rally from Europe to Nador in Morocco, will leave from the French port of Sète located 370 km away from Monaco, on Sunday, December 27th around 11pm. In this way, after two nights and a day to cross the Mediterranean, competitors will be in shape to attack the 12 African stages.