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 | Intercontinental Rally: 3rd Rally edition in 2013 will be bigger and different.
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The 3rd edition of the low budget [ INTERCONTINENTALRALLY.COM ] is fast approaching and we are less then 100 days away from the start in Spain. Since the preparations are in high gear we sat down for an interview with the race director Jiri Vasatko from Czech Republic to get the latest news and interesting facts on the upcoming rally.
MR: Jiri, let’s go straight to the matter, what is the 2013 edition going to be like?
Vasatko: "The 2013 rally will be somewhat different from the previous editions. There will be a clear differentiation between the race and adventure categories in the route and classification. The race category will naturally emphasize offroad terrain with about 70/30 split between timed sections and liaisons."
"The route for the adventure category will be simplified while maintaining about 50/50 split between offroad and paved roads. The portions left out of the adventure route are considered too difficult and time consuming and would only prevent the participants from discovering Africa."
MR: Those are changes in the route selection, how about changes to the classification?
Vasatko: "The adventure category will not be classified and the participants can fully experience the journey without the added stress of passing through the control points. Their primary goal is to reach the finish on the shores of Lac Rose."
"For the race category we are not introducing any major changes. The highest priority will remain reaching of the control points and finishing within the allotted time limit."
MR: Since the adventure and race categories follow different routes how are you going to ensure adequate support for both categories?
Vasatko: "They won’t be all that different. The adventure route will follow roads used by the service vehicles and the organization team. In addition one support vehicle will be deployed specifically to provide technical and medical assistance for the adventure vehicles. In the race category same as in the previous years each car and motorcycle will be equipped with a satellite communicator and can request assistance in case of medical or technical emergency."
MR: What can you reveal about the Intercontinental Rally 2013 route?
Vasatko: "Compared to previous years we have revamped the route and mapped out many new stages. Especially in the later Moroccan stages we will travel a more southern route and visit towns of Icht, Assa and Smara. Consequently we will reach the Atlantic Ocean for the first time south of Laâyoune."
"Other changes are prepared for Mauritania where we will travel directly through the Sahara. This is going to be a treat for all those who love sand dunes, whether they have previous experience or fall in love with sand along the way. As usual for Mauritania these stages will be most demanding and will play a deciding role in determining the overall ranking."
"In Senegal we have prepared two brand new stages. One will test navigational skills and the second will cross a region known as the Senegalese Sahara."
MR: What else would you like to highlight about the upcoming rally?
Vasatko: "There is really quite a lot as every year is unique. First of all I would like to introduce two new members of the organization team: Pauli Jørgensen from Danemark and Manuel García Pérez Jr. from Spain."
"For the first time this year participants do not have to reserve the ferry or book accommodations along the route. These are now included in the rally package which will allow the participants to fully focus on their rally experience."
MR: How about navigation, have you considered using the road book?
Vasatko: "My first choice would be to hand out everyone a compass and a map. I do not want to put on a classical road book rally. I am envisioning a more enduro like event where everyone can select their own route based on their skills. Someone who finds sand difficult can get around it following a longer route."
"And if someone is loosing time on pistes he has the choice of finding shortcuts through the rocky terrain. It is then interesting to observe the different approaches to each stage. Simply we want to enable the racers to select their own route and terrain in the spirit of the old school African rallies."
MR: How satisfied are you with the 2013 participation so far?
Vasatko: "To be quite honest I do not follow it all that closely. But I can already say that we will have more people taking part than last year. For me it is not quite as important how many people participate as to how many leave the rally satisfied. We do not have any minimal registration levels."
"When we announce the rally it is assured that it will take place even if it should mean that only the ORG team would participate. Of course this is a hyperbole since it has been clear for a long time that we are not going to be alone. On the other hand I insist on maintaining the character of the rally and therefore there is a set maximum number of 100 teams."
"I hope that for each one of us the most important goal is to reach the finish line at Lac Rose. As it is with all long distance rallies, the combination of skill, preparation and good fortune will determine who will be the first. For me personally the winner is everyone who finishes, regardless of placement or category."
MR: Can you summarize for us what is in store for you over the next few weeks?
Vasatko: "We will publish the most important information for all participants starting in November. We will start securing entry visa for Mauritania and Senegal as well as continue to publish route information and important updates. I have just returned from Spain where I finalize arrangements for the start in La Garrofa and met in person with the newest addition to our team Manuel García Pérez."
"The next trip to Africa is planned for early November to finalize route selection. I would also like to point out that the registration will close at the end of November. So anyone who wants to join us in January for the next installment of should not delay and mail in the registration."
For more informations please visit the official website at [ INTERCONTINENTALRALLY.COM ] or the Facebook Group at [ FACEBOOK GROUP ].
2012/11/01 | 13:57 CET | ARTICLE: MR/HS/VASATKO
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