AFRICA ECO RACE 2019 : UNDER THE MENTON SUN

AFRICA ECO RACE 2019 : UNDER THE MENTON SUN

The choice of organizing the administrative and technical verifications of the city of Menton was not out of luck. On one side, this French Riviera city borders Italy and is only a few miles from Monaco, from which we have organized these last 4 years the official start of this great African Rally. On another, with 316 sunny days a year and a warm climate even in winter, the organizers of the AFRICA ECO RACE decided to choose the location with the best possible conditions for its participants. This year, once again, it was a true success with sunny days all around and temperatures up to 20 degrees to follow participants in this 11th edition. 
Over 500 people and 200 vehicles passed through the Rondelli and Albert Rein Stadiums to pass all technical and administrative checks before finally having the authorization to embark on the ferry of the Italian company GNV on Sunday 30th of December in Sète. 
The public and fans were also present, at the end of this festive week, to come and see close-up the fabulous off-road machines and also witness the preparations of this great African adventure. A unique opportunity to share and discuss with the competitors while they are at the verification tent or in the assistance park. Amongst those who attracted the most interest, the Japanese driver Kenjiro SHINOZUKA is definitely number one.  It must be said, that the return to competition, and especially in Africa, of this glorious competitor, is a event within the event. The MOTUL motorbike assistance truck also got its fair share of attention with the drivers preparing their vehicles. Last but not least, the presence of Adriana, ambassadress of the AFRICA ECO RACE official start, during the cocktail organized by the city of Menton counsel was also a key moment of this second day. A day that will be ended by the main briefing organized in front of the Parc Fermé of the race, in front of the famous Stars N’ Bars restaurant. 
This Sunday 30th of December 2018, it will be at 9AM sharp, on Adriana’s signal, that the hundred of motos, autos and trucks of race will begin their race from Quai Antoine 1er in Monaco. A great opportunity to come and support and applaud the participants of the only remaining African Rally from Europe. 

SUCCESSFULL START FROM MONACO!

For the 4th time since the creation of the event, the AFRICA ECO RACE adventure began today, 30th of December on the Quai Antoine 1er in Monaco. A departure ceremony of over 2 hours in which thousands of spectators were able to support and applaud the motos, autos and trucks of this 11th Edition that paraded on the podium installed under de departure arch. A successful ceremony during which Adriana, ambassadress of the event, and many VIP guests were present at Stars N’ Bars, our Monaco based bar-restaurant partner, which is the main location of the event. At 9AM sharp, the Bike driver Pal Anders ULLEVASETER, big favorite of this 2019 edition, was the first to launch the festivities after Adriana gave him the signal by drawing the flag of the principality. The Norwegian was smiling under his helmet but boasted serious determination to try get a 4th title after these two last complicated years. No need to say that the KTM driver is going to have to put up a fight, especially with his friend Francisco ARREDONDO who didn’t come from South America to play around. He will also have to be careful to Alessandro BOTTURI, official Yamaha Italy driver, who is coming in hard with a dozen Italian drivers, some of which will also be solid competition. This AFRICA ECO FRACE departure was also the opportunity to support some competitors from all around the world with the participation of Japanese Bike competitor Xiaoxing ZHU and the Australian, Matthew TISDALL. With near to 30 different nationalities participating in this 11th edition, we can safely say it is a record for the event and are glad to develop our global reach. Once the motorbikes all started their drive to Sète, it was the automobiles’ turn to drive onto the podium. Dominique HOUSIEAUX and Arnaud DEBRON opened the festivities with their OPTIMUS. The first of seven buggies from the Team MD Rally who hope, this time, to bring back to their Normandie based atelier, the beautiful AFRICA ECO RACE bronze trophy. There again, it won’t be an easy task. The four-wheel category has never been so uncertain, should it be auto or SSV category, the mini 4x4 buggies who absolutely want to put up a fight. Philippe PINCHEDEZ, who already won an African Rally with this type of vehicle, was clear with his ambitions, even though the most important will be to simply arrive at the Lac Rose on the 13th of January 2019. In the truck category, after discussing a while with Adriana, his fellow compatriot, Tomas TOMECEK was the first to leave the Parc Fermé to begin this African challenge. The triple winner of this category, behind the wheel of his TATRA has the particularity of doing the race without navigator, co-pilot or mechanic. Regardless, he is one of the favorites for the podium this year, but, as mentioned Jean-Louis SCHLESSER, director of the AFRICA ECO RACE, “wise is the man who can give today a podium prognosis”. Anyways, this Sunday evening, the 223 vehicles and 615 people of the AFRICA ECO RACE 2019 caravan will leave Europe aboard “Cristal”, ferry of the Italian company GNV, direction Nador. We will arrive at this port in the North of Morocco at 6AM on the 1st of January 2019, after having spent the New Year in the Middle of the Mediterranean sea.