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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Anyone watching The Dakar
Anyone watching? I’ve followed this event since I was a kid. It’s only a shadow of its former self, goes nowhere near Dakar (or even to Africa), TV coverage is rubbish, but I still get excited by it. All I’ve got is the daily 15 min updates shows published on the Red Bull TV App which have too much waffle, but the footage is stunning, cars and bikes look spectacular in the dunes. I even spotted a Bowler Wildcat on the day 2 coverage. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #750428 10th Jan 2019 8:56pm
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Romadog



Member Since: 07 Jul 2011
Location: Powys
Posts: 1746

Yep on Red Bull TV too Thumbs Up
Agree with your thoughts and also spotted the White Bowler on Day 2 .
Post #750442 10th Jan 2019 9:17pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
I hopeful it might come back Africa in the next few years. The security situation is much better there now and the Africa Eco Race is using that route successfully. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #750466 10th Jan 2019 10:41pm
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rallysteve



Member Since: 10 Feb 2014
Location: South Yorks
Posts: 2194

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Keswick Green
Every year i get annoyed by the programme not running to schedule on Eurosport so my Sky box cuts the end off, or the series link not working. 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread
84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread


Mobile Diesel Heater Build Thread
Post #750485 11th Jan 2019 7:37am
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davew



Member Since: 02 Jan 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
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England 1990 Defender 90 V8 Petrol PU Auto Rioja Red
I used to watch it but in the last few years it's lost it's appeal and I've not watched any of it this year.

Moving away from Africa devalued it to start off, it turned it into more of a "normal" rally rather than an endurance race.

The time zone shift decimated TV coverage for the UK/Eurosport leaving it disjointed as the coverage is always a day behind rather than being on the same day - they tend to show an empty camp area "live" then show the highlights from the previous day mixed in with riders arriving at the camp live, which makes it very difficult to follow.

Team orders mean that the team decide the winner before the race starts (in the cars at least) and that devalues the sport. It's like the bad old days of rallying when the leading car parks up at the side of the road for a couple of hours so they can finish in the order the team determine. The organisers chose to allow it to happen (I'd have DNFd the whole team for bringing the sport into disrepute) and made a rod for their own backs, making it an acceptable "tactic" for the big teams.

So, no, not watched it this year but have been following the Africa Eco Race as it seems much closer to the original concept, not just the route but also the more self sufficient nature of the event. Starts in France around 27th/28th December, ends in Dakar around 8th/9th January. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/
Post #750508 11th Jan 2019 10:30am
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
Where can I watch Africa Eco race? I remember seeing highlights on an obscure satellite channel last year, but not seen it this year. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #750534 11th Jan 2019 1:21pm
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davew



Member Since: 02 Jan 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 888

England 1990 Defender 90 V8 Petrol PU Auto Rioja Red
It's on Eurosport 1 & 2, Motorsport.TV UK and a bunch of other random sports channels.

Also some video coverage on the web site...
https://www.africarace.com/ http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/
Post #750543 11th Jan 2019 2:15pm
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Badger110



Member Since: 06 Feb 2018
Location: South hams
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United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Buckingham Blue
That looks great
Post #750548 11th Jan 2019 3:05pm
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gazman



Member Since: 17 Aug 2015
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 652

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Alpine White
Got it recording on eurosport to watch when I get chance 2014 - current ..... 2003 defender td5 90 (my car)
2009 - current .... 2005 zx10r
Post #750559 11th Jan 2019 4:12pm
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Rashers



Member Since: 21 Jun 2015
Location: Norfolk
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United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Corris Grey
Agree with what davew said above.

I too lost interest. I do watch it if it is on whilst flicking channels of an evening, but don’t follow it like I used to.

It’s still an amazing race, but it’s not what it was.
Post #750568 11th Jan 2019 5:23pm
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ajps72



Member Since: 08 Jan 2012
Location: Lima Peru
Posts: 105

2001 Defender 110 Td5 SW Chawton White
I watched the first two days life, I live in Peru anyway, is easy for me, will watch them again when they come back to Lima.

I do not follow them on TV is too confusing Augusto

Defender 110 TD5 2001
Discovery 4 TDV6
Post #750599 11th Jan 2019 7:09pm
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Bluest



Member Since: 23 Apr 2016
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 3993

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Java Black
davew wrote:
It's on Eurosport 1 & 2, Motorsport.TV UK and a bunch of other random sports channels.

Also some video coverage on the web site...
https://www.africarace.com/


Unfortunately, no channels that I’ve got.

The 2wd class, with its freer rules should be privateer only, give them a chance to compete with the big teams. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
Post #750605 11th Jan 2019 7:35pm
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6769

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
I used to put up a reminder on here each year but not many seemed to be interested so I didn’t bother this year. Ray
My build thread
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Post #750611 11th Jan 2019 8:06pm
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