http://www.marathonrally.com/en marathonrally.com provides the latest worldwide information about from offroad events and news. en-us http://www.marathonrally.com/m_en/gfx/01_index/hl_04.jpg http://www.marathonrally.com/news/baja_almanzora_former_navigator_josep_maria_servia_won_his_driver_debut.21106.0.html <b>By Rally Raid Media Group - Pep Cifre</b>: The debut of Josep Maria Servia and Fina Roman could not be better: The couple won the Baja Almanzora. On the other hand, word ’debut’ may sound strange in this case as both Servia and his wife have a long list of palmares already - separately. What made this April weekend special for them that this was the first time that they started together ... 10.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sardegna_rally_race_peterhansel_will_join_the_fim_world_cup_round_again.21105.0.html After having communicated the details of the tracks, now it's time to show you a small "preview" of this exceptional racing set. The "Sardegna Rally Race" 2012 will also be the turning point of the Cross Country Rally World Cup, and the 2012 edition is launched and has got really good promises. And if Rally promises, organizer "Bike Village" will keep the promise. That's the way it has always b... 10.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/silk_way_rally_free_sw_entry_for_the_winner_of_the_hungarian_r_bakoez_cup.21104.0.html This weekend, 11-13. May Kapuvár (Hungary) will be a place for a huge event with the championship of four countries and it will be also a part of CEZ Trophy. The winner of the Rábaköz Cup can start on the Russian Silk Way Rally in July for free. The XLavina IV. Rábaköz Cup will be an event for Hungarian, Polish, Czech and Slovak rally-raid championship, the number of participants is alrea... 10.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/silk_way_rally_reconnaissance_team_in_the_starting_blocks_strong_logistics.21103.0.html In one week, the crew headed by Sergey Gyria will start from Moscow to cross Russia from North to south for a 15 days trip to reach Gelendzhik on the Black Sea shores. This general reconnaissance will be the result of the work already done during the various checks of the itinerary. This year, the route was deeply modified and it's a real journey towards "unknown earth" which awaits for the com... 10.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/australasian_safari_australian_top_rally_new_partner_of_new_dakar_challenge.21096.0.html One amateur motorbike competitor in this year’s Australasian Safari will live the dream with a free entry into Dakar, the world’s toughest motorsport event, thanks to an agreement between Australasian Safari and Dakar 2013. The Australasian Safari has been selected as one of only four events for the world’s most extreme and legendary offroad motorsport races. The Dakar Rally organisers, a... 08.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/bitd_2012_team_toyo_s_ballistic_bj_baldwin_wins_the_silver_state_300.21093.0.html Team Toyo Off-Road’s "Ballistic" BJ Baldwin won overall in the Canidae Tap It Silver State 300 held this past weekend near Crystal Springs, Nevada with a time of 5:25:56. Winning Class 1500 (buggy) and finishing in third overall with a time of 5:26:22 was Team Toyo’s Robby Gordon. Both drivers relied on Toyo Open Country M/T-R tires for their overall podium finishes. The Silver State 300 h... 08.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/absa_2012_date_changes_for_south_african_absa_off_road_championship.21092.0.html Circumstances have forced the Motorsport South Africa Off Road Car Racing Commission to make two changes to the "Absa Off Road Championship" 2012 calendar. The 4x4 Mega World 400 at Carnival City, round six of the series, has been moved forward by a week to Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1. This follows a change to the South African Rally Championship calendar. "There are compet... 08.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/pharaons_rally_defy_the_pharaons_rally_in_egypt_and_win_the_dakar_2013.21091.0.html For those who love Off Road, two or four wheels, participating in a rally is always a dream. Participating in a rally as the "Pharaons Rally" in Egypt is a dream that becomes a reality every year for many people. In 2012, this dream can become a "double-one": Run the Pharaons and join to Dakar Challenge. The winner of the Dakar Challenge in Pharaons 2012 will receive free engagement to the next... 06.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/gothic_rallys_polish_organizer_ore_to_start_with_three_gothic_rallys_2012.21087.0.html Unleash the adrenaline taking part in rallies organized by the Polish producers team "ORE". Rally calendar for quads, motorcycles, off-road vehicles users and services related to off-road gets bigger each year. 2012 brings one of the most interesting events in Poland: "Baja Gothica", "Baja Challenge" and "Transgothica". Key to a successful event is the organization of the rally. There... 05.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_final_fight_between_russia_and_hungary_closest_in_ct_history.21086.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: With their supurb time on yesterday's big 75km stage, taking nearly half an hour off Boros Csaba the Russians went into the final day with a 5 minute advantage, the closest in Croatia Trophy history... And the advantage was with Alexey Golubev. All he had to do was keep Csaba in his sights and then all the Hungarian could do was pull back 2 minutes. It was ... 05.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_brutal_stage_20_of_the_50_running_cars_didn_t_make_it_back.21085.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: The rains came last night and this morning weary drivers trudged across the morass of the campsite to bow reverentially in front of the most rare and holy of relics, the score board. For those whose religion is mud it is a daily ritual to see if the Organiser God's have provided an updated list for us muddy muddy mortals. Yesterday's stage was a brutal one ... 04.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/breslau_rally_250_participants_to_start_in_poland_2012_new_finish_germany.21083.0.html The legendary "Breslau Rally", a unique combination of rallyraid, trophy, speed and mud, will make it´s 18th round in Poland and 19th round overall in 2012. The rally was once again fully booked within weeks. 250 participants - this was the official limit. 60 bikes, 14 quads, 10 SSV, 130 cars and 36 trucks were registered. Now registration is possible only through waiting list, but there is st... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/xrally_marrakech_10_time_sa_champion_riaan_van_niekerk_heads_to_xrally.21081.0.html Darryl Curtis won’t be the only South African bear colourer at the "Xrally Marrakech", the Rally Raid organized by Edo Mossi around Marrakech from 16th to 19th of May. Ten time SA Offroad Champion and six time SA Enduro Champion, Riaan Van Niekerk will ride for the first time in Morocco at the XRally Marrakech to train for the Dakar 2013. For Riaan the XRally will be fundamental to become ... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_more_muddy_madness_taking_place_in_forests_wednesday.21080.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: The Press Point for Wednesday's 51km stage was a long way down a rough track and as my car is a big big and a bit too expensive to scratch (next week I'll take it to London to drive Sasha Baron Cohen to the premier of his new film. I don't want to think what "The Dictator" would do to me if his Kombat was covered in Croatia thorn marks on the red carpet). So I... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_the_shortest_stage_claims_biggest_victim_marsden_leads.21079.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: Tuesday in Croatia it's a national holiday so they ran the Circuit Race for the spectators to have something spectacular to see... and they weren't disappointed... if the no-quarter given racing wasn't enough the event's shortest stage claimed the biggest victim! The Croatia Trophy is not about throwing cars into big pits of mud and seeing them winch out, t... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_kern_and_geis_the_overall_winner_in_front_of_kastner_and_britz.21078.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 10 - the final day. In the camel stadium in Douz everyone just needed to know what their fast cars were capable of doing and raced round the circuit, after having called it a day. Even Tobias Teichmann was able to drive some decent drifts with his temporary rear-wheel drive vehicle. However, during one manoeuvre in front of the numerous audiences, his Pa... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_geis_kern_winner_of_second_last_stage_three_rounds_of_70_kms.21077.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 9. After the difficulties of the last days, the mood in the paddock is again considerably more relaxed. The motivation on the second last day of the stage is high as well. The fight for overall victory isn’t decided yet... <b>Stage Report Day 9 Douz</b> Team Britz has contested a rapid race so far and is reaching for the winner’s cup. Teams Geis/K... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_the_4x4_battle_at_the_top_heats_up_on_monday_in_croatia.21073.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: The start was delayed for a while and it was great to sit among the drivers listening to them thank each other for help on the last stage or for lending spare parts in the camp. Bog Brotherhood. The smiles and banter only lasted until the start marshall shouted, "Two minutes," and then, for the front runners at least, it was all seriousness again. A massive... 03.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/australia_2012_fantastic_flinders_400_aaron_james_winner_with_his_buggy.21069.0.html Victorian based offroad racer Aaron James crossed the border and raided the South Australians trophy cabinet on the weekend, winning the Exact Mining Bentley’s Cabin Park Flinders 400 with navigators Robert and Brett Plant in their #101 Razorback Prolite buggy. The race was held over 12 laps of a condensed 35km track at the Baroota Off Road Racing complex 40 kilometres north of Port Pirie. Th... 02.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_water_winching_festival_but_relaxed_atmosphere_on_sunday.21063.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: Seeing monster 4x4s race in places it's hard to even walk is impressive enough but last night the campsite was busy with another type of race. Sparks flew, welders flashed and hammers were wielded as teams worked through the night to fix their cars. Yorkshire guys Karl Frost and David Needham were helping their Norwegian friends to repair their winch (I've ... 02.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_shortened_sand_stage_on_sunday_stagewin_for_bergler_muehlbach.21062.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 8. After placing Tunisia’s complete menu of off-road pleasures on the table in Saturday’s stage, we’re going to serve a meal consisting of all kind of courses on Sunday. On the way from camp Zmela back to Douz with altogether about 100 km of special stage, first task is to overcome the high dunes barrier, which cuts through all of south Tunisia fro... 02.05.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_sand_free_day_on_ss06_but_a_very_difficult_213_kms_navigation.21056.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 6 and 7. After before’s slightly shorter stage, let’s get straight down to the nitty-gritty today: 213 km of special stage around Zmela. Today is actually the first partly sand-free day as well; therefore the navigation will have a lot to offer. As mentioned during the briefing, there are very few GPS coordinates but more road book pictures ("It can ... 30.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_one_day_of_compulsive_break_for_the_rally_on_friday_in_douz.21055.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Time for repairing the vehicles, regeneration for those drivers stranded in the sand. After one day break in Douz, the rally is supposed to continue Saturday. For this reason the teams need to return to the outdoor camp in Zmela. Two hours drive. However the car casualties have been successfully mended. The arrival in camp Zmela is about just as stormy as... 30.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_many_participants_still_in_the_dunes_following_stage_cancelled.21053.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 5. It is 5 minutes to 12:00 (high noon). Soon the signal, which has been postponed, will sound for the fifth stage of the licence-free Tunisia-rally "Grand Erg". However no one of the since yesterday missing participants has returned from the sea of dunes to the outdoor camp. Only the five teams, which had made it to the finish, are now rolling towards t... 30.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_mud_sweat_and_tears_as_the_real_competition_go_under_way.21052.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: Friday was all smiles and laughter, but Saturday it was all mud, sweat and tears as the real competition got under way with a 53km monster. The gentle shimmer of the new leaves on the trees was gradually drowned out by the short stabs of powerful engines and the unmistakable chatter of a Gigglepin winch and then like a rally-raid car at full tilt Jim Marsde... 30.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/croatia_trophy_one_week_adventure_trophy_started_with_prologue_on_friday.21051.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Robb Pritchard</b>: These Balkan hills have seen their fair share of battles and the abandoned houses tell the silent story of the war that raged here barely a generation ago. Friday though the trees echo with the sounds of a different type of fight; Europe's, if not the world's, biggest hardcore 4x4 event... the one and only Croatia Trophy. 18 nationalities have come to th... 30.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/silk_way_rally_signature_of_a_partnership_between_eurosport_tv_and_swr.21050.0.html As a new proof of the importance of the Silk Way Rally in the world of motorsports, the organisers have signed an important partnership with "Eurosport TV" regarding the broadcasting of the 2012 edition. The Silk Way Rally 2012, that will be run between July 7th and 13th from Moscow to Gelendzhik, seaside resort close to Sochi, is definitely the place to be for the mid-season and will be broadc... 30.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_sand_sand_and_more_then_half_of_competitors_slept_in_dunes.21044.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Jörg Russler</b>: Day 4. Tembaine, outdoor camp at Grand Erg. It’s 21:00 hours. The desert is ruled by darkness. A clear starry night lies over the dunes of Grand Erg and the extravagantly prepared outdoor camp. The scenery couldn’t be any more peaceful. However appearances are deceiving. Since the sand released again only five teams today. The remaining 23 sand knights h... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/magam_trophy_time_to_start_countdown_polish_trophy_to_start_on_may_1st.21041.0.html The Polish offroad-marathon "Magam Trophy" is about to start in a week - on the 1st of May. "We are expecting the first participants in the evening on the day before. At this time we start the registration and car control that will be continued the next day till midday" the organisation reported. "The 1st of May is a bank holiday - The Day of Workers - with lots of demonstrations around the cou... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sardegna_rally_race_stages_and_racetrack_of_the_3rd_fim_world_cup_round.21040.0.html There were six competitions in the FIM World Cup calendar, but after the cancellation of the "Estoril-Marrakech" and "NPO Tunisia Rally" two of them are already "gone". That's one more reason why the "Sardegna Rally Race" becomes (but maybe it has already been) the centre of the 2012 World Championship Season. Now the organisation released the stages for the 2012 edition. <b>1ST LEG: SAN TEODOR... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/absa_2012_powerful_atlas_copco_challenge_in_kwazulu_natal_on_may_18_19.21039.0.html The Atlas Copco team will fancy their chances of winning their own event, the "Atlas Copco Timbertrack 400", when the South African "ABSA Off Road Championship" moves to KwaZulu-Natal for round three of the national series on May 18 and 19. The Atlas Copco squad will have a powerful presence in both the Production and Special Vehicle categories. Team leader Gary Bertholdt and Ralph Pitchford, i... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/xrally_marrakech_south_african_darryl_curtis_heads_to_the_xrally_marrakech.21038.0.html Interview with Darryl Curtis, 22nd at the Dakar 2012. The South African rider is training to repeat the South America Dakar marathon and his sports programme includes also the "XRally Marrakech" and the "Merzouga Rally". <b>XRally</b>: After having won twice the Roof of Africa, competed in several International Six Day Enduro’s, desert races in America and world extreme races, this year you f... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/gorm_24_hours_german_24_hours_offroad_race_with_a_new_12h_rookie_class.21037.0.html For the first time in the German "GORM 24 hours" offroad race history, a so-called rookie class will be opened for the 2012 edition (August 17-19). The vehicles in the rookie class will only drive for 12 hours (the first and the last six hours). The entry-fee for the rookie-class is 325 Euros including driver and codriver. Until today, nearly 20 teams from 5 countries registered for the race, a... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_yellow_sea_of_sand_on_tuesday_participants_had_fun_in_dunes.21036.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 3. Shortly after leaving Douz behind, the teams notice there is going to be more shaking than stirring today. The quick gravel road leading south is an endurance test for machine and chassis. The passengers won’t get rid of the rattling and trembling that quickly either. As the SUV’s need to slow down now and again for the deep eroded cross groves, t... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_long_day_monday_lot_of_participants_stuck_in_the_chott_el_jerid.21035.0.html <b>Rallyreport by Joerg Russler</b>: Day 2. The start is postponed for two hours. Two hours of precious sleep for some and two hours of extra repair time for others. At 09:00 the convoy starts straight through Gafsa to Chott El Jerid on one of the hugest salt lakes in North Africa. At 12:00 sharp Harald Wurmbrand and Tim Krause dart through the sand in their Land Rover Discovery on first place.... 26.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_video_interview_nasser_al_attiyah_overdrive_summary.21029.0.html ... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_photos_impressions_qatar_by_mohamed_al_sultan_27.21027.0.html 2012/04/25 | 23:06 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/AL SULTAN/ALSULTANM.COM... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/loorr_2012_kyle_leduc_and_toyo_undefeated_in_lucas_oil_offroad_series.21024.0.html Kyle LeDuc and Toyo Tires swept their second consecutive weekend in the "Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series" (LOORR) on the new track layout at Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore, California (USA). Firmly leading the Pro 4 Unlimited class championship points, LeDuc and his Toyo Open Country M/T-R equipped Ford F-150 have scored four wins in a row (Rounds 1 - 4) to go undefeated in th... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/fim_world_cup_success_for_the_husqvarna_speedbrain_after_the_first_rounds.21022.0.html The "Husqvarna Rally Team by Speedbrain" returns to its headquarter in Stephanskirchen (Germany) with a double podium and four day wins. Team principal Wolfgang Fischer offers a positive summary of the four-week stint to the Arab Peninsula. The success story for the Speedbrain duo of Joan Barreda and Paulo Goncalves began in the first week of April during the "Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge". The S... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_team_schlesser_continues_lead_in_2012_fia_world_cup.21021.0.html After a sixth victory at the "Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge", Team Schlesser-Sonangol was running at the "Sealine Qatar Rally", counting towards the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallys. Unlike the dunes of Abu Dhabi, Qatar Sealine Rally was held on a dry and very stony territory. "Every day we had to drive carefully and avoid punctures" Jean-Louis Schlesser said after the event. Starting the... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/grand_erg_rally_the_amateur_rally_started_the_rough_journey_to_genova.21018.0.html At the beginning of the German organized, licence-free Tunisia Desert Rally "Grand Erg" everything had gone smoothly: Since 07:00 setting up the ZK-01 at the port of Genova, since 08:00 customs clearance of the organisers team and since 09:00 customs clearance of the participants. Then the first disaster occurred: The MAN 6x6 of the organisers team Burk, had a damaged turbocharger 130 km from G... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_viladoms_awarded_time_penalty_and_loses_podium_finish.21017.0.html Surprise after the first provisorial results: Spanish rider Jordi Viladoms has been awarded a two-hour penalty by FIM officials for missing a route checkpoint at the Sealine Cross-Country Rally on Saturday. The KTM rider drops from third overall to 13th and Sean Gaugain climbs into the top 10, with Poland’s Jakub Przygonski claiming the final podium place. These results are subject to a po... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/africa_eco_race_registrations_for_the_5th_edition_in_2013_have_opened_now.21016.0.html All the "Sonangol Africa Eco Race" team is working to prepare the 5th edition of this African Rally on Thierry Sabine's tracks, from December 27th, 2012 till January 9th, 2013. Véronique Caire joined the organization team in order to help and inform you, her kindness and her efficiency will seduce those who do not know her. Other novelty, a new website, friendlier and easier to use, is on-line... 25.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_video_italy_s_manuel_lucchese_jumping_from_a_dune.21013.0.html ... 21.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_al_mutaiwei_3rd_happy_with_what_we_have_achieved.21011.0.html A Good and bad rally for Team X-raid: With their Mini All4 Racing, Khalifa Al Mutaiwei and his German navigator Andreas Schulz secured third position in Qatar’s Sealine Cross Country Rally - behind Nasser Al Attiyah and Lucio Alvarez. The Russians Ilya Kuznetsov and Roman Elagin completed the good team result by taking their BMW X3 CC to seventh position, in the four-leg event. Saudi Arabiaâ€... 21.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_overdrive_toyotas_confirm_first_second_and_fifth_place.21010.0.html Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and Spanish co-driver Lucas Cruz Senra confirmed a crushing victory for the Belgian Overdrive Racing Team in the 2012 Sealine Cross-Country Rally, round three of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, on Saturday. Defending a massive lead of 46min 09sec heading into the final 208km special stage, the Toyota Hilux duo didn’t need to take any risks and still record... 21.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_video_scenes_from_stage_03_friday_by_rrplanet_tv.21006.0.html ... 21.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_marc_coma_wins_bikes_in_front_of_rodrigues_viladoms.21005.0.html KTM’s 3-times Dakar winner Marc Coma on Saturday underlined he is King of the Desert by taking overall victory in the first ever Sealine Rally in Qatar. He has now won both rallies of the FIM Cross Country World Championship held so far with two to go in Sardinia and Egypt. In what was an extremely fast final desert leg, Coma finished 2:06 minutes behind his Spanish compatriot Joan Barreda wh... 21.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_al_attiyah_coma_und_sonik_claim_outright_qatar_victories.21004.0.html Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, Spain’s Marc Coma and Poland’s Rafal Sonik claimed outright victories in their respective car, motorcycle and quad categories after the final 208.63km special stage of the Sealine Cross-Country Rally on Saturday. Stage wins on the final day fell to Al-Attiyah, Spain’s Joan Barreda Bort and Sonik in the three respective categories. Al-Attiyah began th... 21.04.2012 http://www.marathonrally.com/news/sealine_rally_qatar_results_cars_bikes_quads_ss04_and_overall_results.21002.0.html <b>Sealine Cross-Country Rally - Cars results SS4</b> 01) Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Lucas Cruz Senra (ESP) I Toyota Hilux I 01:53:21 02) Vladimir Vasilyev (RUS)/Vitaliy Yevtyekhov (RUS) I G-Force Proto I 01:53:38 03) Jean-Louis Schlesser (FRA)/Konstantin Zhiltsov (RUS) I Schlesser I 01:56:32 04) Lucio Alvarez (ARG)/Bernardo Graue (ARG) I Toyota Hilux I 01:56:35 05) Boris Gadasin (RUS)/D... 21.04.2012