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Dakar Rally welcomes record entry Dakar Rally welcomes record entry
(about 4 hours later)
A record 525 teams are set to take part in the 2007 Dakar Rally, a 4,918-mile race of endurance over 15 stages which begins in Portugal and ends in Senegal.A record 525 teams are set to take part in the 2007 Dakar Rally, a 4,918-mile race of endurance over 15 stages which begins in Portugal and ends in Senegal.
Mitsubishi driver Luc Alphand will be attempting to defend his title but is likely to come under pressure from a strong Volkswagen entry.Mitsubishi driver Luc Alphand will be attempting to defend his title but is likely to come under pressure from a strong Volkswagen entry.
Safety will be a key concern for organisers after two children and a competitor were killed last year.Safety will be a key concern for organisers after two children and a competitor were killed last year.
The race begins in Lisbon on Saturday and will end in Dakar on 21 January.The race begins in Lisbon on Saturday and will end in Dakar on 21 January.
Mitsubishi have won eight of the last 10 races with former skiing champion Alphand claiming his maiden victory last January.Mitsubishi have won eight of the last 10 races with former skiing champion Alphand claiming his maiden victory last January.
"I feel really good. I know we are coming here as the favourites and think it's possible to do it again this year," said the 41-year-old Frenchman."I feel really good. I know we are coming here as the favourites and think it's possible to do it again this year," said the 41-year-old Frenchman.
The Mitsubishi team are also represented by eight-time winner Stephane Peterhansel.The Mitsubishi team are also represented by eight-time winner Stephane Peterhansel.
But Volkswagen have invested heavily in their attempts to snap Mitsubishi's domination and are aiming to produce the first diesel-powered winner of the race.But Volkswagen have invested heavily in their attempts to snap Mitsubishi's domination and are aiming to produce the first diesel-powered winner of the race.
2007 DAKAR RALLY 187 cars250 bikes88 trucks4,918 miles in 15 stages over 16 days (one rest day)2007 DAKAR RALLY 187 cars250 bikes88 trucks4,918 miles in 15 stages over 16 days (one rest day)
Its entry includes two former world rally champions in Carlos Sainz and Ari Vatanen, as well as last year's runner-up Giniel de Villiers.Its entry includes two former world rally champions in Carlos Sainz and Ari Vatanen, as well as last year's runner-up Giniel de Villiers.
Other competitors in the race include World Touring Cars driver Yvan Muller, who will be behind the wheel of a buggy, and ex-Nascar star Robby Gordon, who will be in a Hummer. Other competitors in the race include World Touring Cars driver Yvan Muller, who will be behind the wheel of a buggy, and Nascar star Robby Gordon, in a Hummer.
Frenchwoman Carole Montillet-Carles, the 2002 Olympic downhill champion, will be taking part in a Nissan.Frenchwoman Carole Montillet-Carles, the 2002 Olympic downhill champion, will be taking part in a Nissan.
In the bikes category, Spaniard Marc Coma is defending his crown.In the bikes category, Spaniard Marc Coma is defending his crown.
Since the first race in 1978, 48 people have been killed during the rally and last May race organisers announced new measures to better protect competitors and spectators.Since the first race in 1978, 48 people have been killed during the rally and last May race organisers announced new measures to better protect competitors and spectators.
The route of the 29th Dakar Rally has also been modified for security reasons, with the 10th and 11th stages from Mauritania to Mali cancelled after the French foreign ministry warned there was a risk of kidnap.The route of the 29th Dakar Rally has also been modified for security reasons, with the 10th and 11th stages from Mauritania to Mali cancelled after the French foreign ministry warned there was a risk of kidnap.
  • The Dakar Rally is likely to start in a different location in 2009 after its three-year contract with Portugal comes to an end.
  • The Dakar Rally is likely to start in a different location in 2009 after its three-year contract with Portugal comes to an end.
    Race organisers are in talks with two unnamed cities and are likely to announce where the 2009 race will start in February or March.Race organisers are in talks with two unnamed cities and are likely to announce where the 2009 race will start in February or March.
    The race has previously started in the French locations of Paris, Arras, Marseille and Clermont-Ferrand and the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Granada.The race has previously started in the French locations of Paris, Arras, Marseille and Clermont-Ferrand and the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Granada.