24H: Dakar event set for 2009

Le 24H Dakar 2009: A new challenge in Africa

GENNEP (September 19th, 2008) Creventic BV, organiser of the TOYO TIRES 24H of Dubai and the 24H SERIES, comes up with a new challenge in motorsport from February 20th till 22nd, 2009: "Le 24H Dakar" is the first 24-hour race for touring cars, GT cars and 24h-specials at the "Circuit de Dakar - Baobabs", the new race track near Dakar in Senegal, West-Africa.

Early in 2006, Creventic organised the inaugural edition of the Dubai 24- hour race, which in the mean time has become a fixed event in motorsport, having its fourth running in January, 2009. Every year, the TOYO TIRES 24H of Dubai attracts some 90 participating teams. Now, the agency from the Netherlands is again exploring unknown territory in motorsport. "We have close links with the management of the new race track in Dakar and our plans were met with a lot of enthusiasm", says Creventic's Gerrie Willems.

The "Circuit de Dakar - Baobabs" is the first permanent race track in West- Africa. The track is 4.7 kilometres long and has 21 corners. The circuit is located 60 kilometres from the capital Dakar and 20 kilometres from the seaside resort Saly. The circuit was officially opened in June 2008 with a six-hour race in the presence of Jacky Ickx, six times' winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours. "The atmosphere is unique", says Gerrie Willems, who has already been there. "The people in Senegal are extremely hospitable and the scenery is extraordinary." With temperatures around 25 degrees in February, the upcoming 24 hour race provides an excellent opportunity to escape from the cold winter in Europe. "Participation in the race can ideally be combined with a short holiday, either on the beach or a safari trip in a near-by wildlife park", says Willems.

Over 20 entries

More than 20 teams have already registered for participation in the inaugural "Le 24H Dakar". Among the participating cars are numerous Porsches and BMWs, a Holden from Australia and some Volkswagen Golf Diesels. Organiser Creventic offers complete travel packages and also takes care of the transport of the race cars. "Teams can have their race cars shipped from Europe to Dakar. For those teams competing in the Dubai 24 hour race in January, we are also offering a transport facility from Dubai to Dakar", says Willems.

Further information about "Le 24H Dakar" can be found on the website www.le24hdakar.com and www.24hseries.com.

-credit: www.24hseries.com