Tired but happy we are home again. What had developed out of a two-day stop over in nowhere land was a great story with a Happy-End. Now I also know about the Rally-Raid from an organizer’s point of view. Sport friends I am telling you: "Give honour to the German organizers, the have to eat hard bread". Amateur rallies are organized by people who all have a normal job, are often not properly paid but they are doing a very good job.

In spite of all resistances, which did not ease all the duties – no immigration at the LDC, participants lost their start fee, cancellation of the EL CHOTT rally, cancellation of the DAKAR rally and finally the kidnapping of two Austrians in Tunisia (or Algeria?) – There were 83 Enthusiasts ready for the adventure "Libya-Rally-Raid”. THANK YOU!

Arrival / Departure:

The «Carthage» got new life rafts – four hours delay. But a fantastic buffet in the Hotel Chems in Gabes at midnight. Thanks to Jamel Debabi! Border crossing to Libya in record time. Thanks to our Libyan partner AANIA! 
Departure: in November 2007 we had a seven hours boarder stop; now we had our own lane with simplified formalities, just one hour!!!

The Rally:

The prologue still was an easy task on the Mediterranean beach. But then the stages showed how huge the landscapes of Libya are. For many of the participants it was a new feeling that their view reaches up to the curvature of the earth. Forty kilometres to the right. Forty kilometres to the left. Oneself nevertheless felt quite small. Statement Team Dhont: a "DAKAR STAGE".

The second stage: The dunes of the Ubari presented us Cathedral-dunes, in North Africa only seen in Libya - 120 to 150 meters high. Breathtaking. The sand of these widespread dunes carried well. 150 kilometres in six hours – a mature driving performance of the teams on this royal stage. Statement Team Asmus: Wolfgang, we thank you for this great track.

The third stage (in memory of Normann Bock): With Normann we lost a good friend. As we staid in Camp Africa we certainly remember the many talks, whereat the Irish country wine may not be absent. How convenient that Allah does not see anything at night...

The fourth stage: "Marathon stage" means 300 kilometres race. Desert rallies are adventure too. This became very clear. Sometimes everything comes together at once. One team lost the GPS signal due to a technical defect (no spare one on board). Then the batteries of the SAT phone went down (no charging connection anymore). Leaving the track of the Road book because of bad view due to upcoming sand storm. How good that for such cases an emergency ration of water and food is carried on board.

The fifth stage: The participants of the rally now had their day off. The Organization started the rescue. The Libyans filled up their helicopter. And what did our missing people do? The sand storm calmed down, so they simply drove into the camp. The stone falling off our hearts was oversized.

Sixth stage: Heading to the north in bright gold weather. Fast pistes and crossing of easy dunes, the last for this rally. Now we really had enough of sand. Seventh stage: Somehow the race horses wanted back into their stable (finish). A hundred-ten kilometres per hour average is enough to mention.

Resume:

One burned out organization vehicles (kitchen crew). Original-statement: "She was burning better than she drove", one engine collapse (participant), one smashed windshield (Unimog), several tire punctures, a light whiplash injury and two braised fingers. Regardless there was a very good spirit and a lot of fellowship among the participants. A fairness price was also awarded every day at the price giving of the day’s stage. They all could sign in this list - COMPLIMENT!!!

Price Giving Ghadames:

The Singsong of the Tuareg women, covered in silver and gold garment, was the background music for the dances of the men, who know how to use their swords in a vituosic way. These proud sons of the desert showed us a piece of their history. No one left the price giving early. But this will be reported by the chief of course Marco Boelling, who hosted this highlight, later at this place.

Finally a personal remark. My hand got five fingers. Every finger stands for a department. 1. Race organization 2. Medicals 3. Catering 4. Press 5. Technical service (without order). They all brought this event to a success, which I like to remember in future. All the congratulations, letters of thanks and memory gifts, which have meanwhile reached me, are regarded to my great team. But this event was only possible because of the founders and investors (they like to be unnamed) of the Libya Rally Raid as well as our sponsors. So please look at our website; there you will find competent partners to be prepared for the Libya-Rally-Raid in 2009. THE DREAM GOES ON!

See you soon on the ALLRAD ABENTEUER in Bad Kissingen

With sportive regards

Wolfgang Pasetti, Event Director

P.S. The preparations for the 2009 event have been started now. Who would like to join us at the pre-tour in autumn 2008 should get in contact with me.