The oil and gas industry is the driving force behind Libya’s economic development, providing the massive investment needed for the country’s ambitious infrastructure plans. 16-19 February 2009
Infrastructure Libya addresses Libya's immediate priorities in terms of technological needs for the country's infrastructure renewal and development. 16-19 February 2009
Medifest ’08 (5-7 Dec 08) is 3rd complete International Exhibition in India with exclusive & dedicated sections on Medical, Healthcare, Dental, Pharmaceutical, Diagnostics, Rehabilitative Products, Hospital Equipment,
"Tutankhamun and the World of the Pharaohs", a new exhibition featuring more than 140 treasures from the tomb of the celebrated pharaoh Tutankhamun and additional ancient sites, debuts on March 9 at the Völkerkunde Museum Vienna.
International Exhibition Centre Agrokomplex -Výstavníctvo Nitra the competent Slovak partner for international communication.
The Central Europe Rally 2008
Written by WS
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
The Central Europe Rally April 20th - 26th was organised under the "Dakar Series"» certification, between Budapest and Lake Balaton in Hungary, crossing Romania consisted of an extremely varied and technical route. Nearly half of the total distance, 3000kms, were run in special stages. The opening of entries started in the first half of February all the major teams. BMW, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Schlesser and KTM were the first to support of the event of A.S.O. * (Amaury Sport Organisation)
The Central Europe Rally was the first event run under the “Dakar Series” certification. This certification will also be given to other races that offer the same high organisation and safety standards, strong participation and media attention as the legendary Dakar. With the Central Europe Rally, the aim of A.S.O. was to enable the competitors of the Dakar, which was cancelled on 2008, to enter a new rally with some extremely advantageous conditions and offer their sponsors exposure in a major international event. VICTORY FOR DAVID CASTEU AND CARLOS SAINZ! The final stage of the rally lived up to expectations with the duel for outright victory in the car category between Carlos Sainz and Stephane Peterhansel. There was less suspense, however, in the bike race where David Casteu controlled the final stage to win this first Central Europe Rally as expected. The fifth to start on the final day was the Frenchman David Casteu (KTM) controlled his only rival, Chilean Francisco Lopez (KTM), throughout the 150 km of the last special to finally win, as expected, the first Central Europe Rally, the inaugural event of the Dakar Series. For the native of Nice, this first success as an official KTM rider was a handsome one too: he finished 2’58” ahead of his good friend, Chilean Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez (KTM), who was taking part in his first race for the Austrian team and in the 690 category.
Third place in the final general standings, 19’39” behind the winner, went to Alain Duclos (KTM). In the last stage, the Franco-Malian amateur rider grabbed the final step on the podium from Frenchman Cyril Despres, who suffered a fuel problem. As a result, the winner of the 2007 Dakar finished 5th in the general standings, one place behind the winner of the 450 category, Spaniard Jose Manuel Pellicer (Yamaha). In the car category, the fantastic duel for victory between Carlos Sainz (VW) and Stephane Peterhansel (Mitsubishi), only 18 seconds apart at the beginning of this last special, came to a quick conclusion in the first few kilometres after the Frenchman made a slight navigational mistake at the start of the special. Having lost between 40" and 1 minute as a result, the King of the Dakar decided to make sure he finished 2nd, finally finishing 2’01” behind the winner of the rally-raid World Cup. In the other fight between Blues and Reds for the 3rd place on the podium, it was young German Dieter Depping (VW) who was victorious, 54" ahead of Luc Alphand (Mitsubishi), who came off the track in the final timed section. The next placed driver was Portugal’s Carlos Sousa (VW) and then in 6th, Frenchman Bruno Saby, the first BWW driver. Philippe Gache, 8th in the general standings at 57’25” behind Sainz, won the two-wheel drive buggy category.
For the first ever general standings for quads in the history of rally-raids, Frenchman Hubert Deltrieu (Polaris) grabbed glory, 28’52” ahead of his countryman and eternal rival Christophe Declerck (Yamaha), who nonetheless won the last special. Third place went to Slovak Martin Antal (Polaris). Finally, in the truck race, the major favourite, Dutchman Hans Stacey (MAN), did not disappoint. In addition to triumphing in the final stage, the winner of the 2007 Dakar claimed outright victory with a lead of 33’43” over his countryman Wulfert Van Ginkel (Ginaf) and 53’18” over Czech Alès Loprais (Tatra).
Results summary: Bikes 1. David Casteu - FRA - KTM 12.21.14
2. Francisco Lopez - CHL - KTM 12.24.12
3. Alain Duclos- FRA - KTM 12.40.53
5. Jose Manuel Pellicer - ESP - YAMAHA 12.42.34
4. Cyril Despres - FRA - KTM 12.44.04
6. Jordi Viladoms - ESP - KTM 12.49.11