Franck Lagorce Joins the Africa Eco Race Organization as an Observer for the 2025 Edition.
Press Release
October 2024
Franck Lagorce joins the AFRICA ECO RACE Organization as an Observer for the 2025 Edition
From Ice Circuits to Desert Tracks...
Race car driver Franck Lagorce will be alongside the organizers of the Africa Eco Race for its 16th edition as an observer. This unique Rally-Raid, which will depart from Monaco on December 28, 2024, and arrive at Lac Rose in Dakar on January 12, 2025, will welcome Lagorce’s seasoned expertise.
Franck Lagorce, a driver with an impressive track record in karting, Formula 1, the 24Hours of Le Mans, and even the ice circuits of the Trophée Andros, also hasextensive experience in organizing major motorsports events. He notably servedas the coordinator of the Andros Trophy for three years, working closely with Max Mamers.
Franck will join Jean-Louis and Anthony Schlesser, director and general coordinator of the AFRICA ECO RACE, as theytraverse the sands of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal. He will lend hisexpertise across the organizational, logistical, and sporting aspects of theworld’s only transcontinental rally-raid.
“I had enriching relationships with my friends Hubert Auriol and René Metge, whospoke to me for years with great passion about this race. Unfortunately, mycommitments to the Trophée Andros prevented me from experiencing the legendaryrally-raid tracks. This year, I crossed paths with Jean Louis Schlesser at the JulesBianchi Marathon at Le Castellet, and he invited me to discover the AFRICA ECORACE. I couldn’t resist the offer. I participated in the World Cup forCross-Country Rallies with a pro truck in 2001, and I really enjoyed thisdiscipline, so demanding and yet so human. I can’t wait to sleep in my sleepingbag under the tent, enjoy these simple moments, and take in the landscapes allthe way to Lac Rose in Dakar” said Franck Lagorce.
“Theentire AFRICA ECO RACE team is thrilled to welcome Franck to this edition. Hebrings his expertise in sports event organization and his experience as adriver, offering a fresh perspective on our event and sharing his insights. Wewill share with him our passion for the countries we cross, their stunninglandscapes, and, above all, the people we meet and work closely with” said Jean-Louis Schlesser.
Founded in 2008, the Africa Eco Race is a unique rally-raid that follows in the footsteps of legendary African rallies, with a focus on adventure and respect for the environment. This international rally connects Monaco to Dakar and features stages through the breathtaking landscapes of Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal, concluding on the shores of the iconic Lac Rose. The Africa Eco Race stands out for its commitment to responsible competition. The event incorporates eco-friendly practices to minimize its environmental impact and undertakes solidarity actions to benefit local communities. The rally attracts both professional and amateur drivers from around the world, competing in cars, SSVs, motorcycles, quads, and trucks, all united by a passion for pushing boundaries, adventure, and environmental preservation.
The enthusiam and passion of the team as well as their constant research of bringing eco-responsable actions to their event, make the AFRICA ECO RACE one of the unmissable events of the Principality and we are proud to welcome them every year. We encourage everybody to buy a maximum of solar lamps provided by AMADE and AFRICA ECO RACE. More than a daily use, they will enable senegalese and mauritanian children to walk safely home after dark and will contribute to reducing the racing vehicules' carbon footprint.
Kate & Didier - STARS'N'BARS
We congratulate AFRICA ECO RACE for their support AMADE and enabling Mauritanian and Senegalese students to have access to solar lamps. A child with light at home, is a child able to do his homework when night comes.
Jérôme FROISSART - Directeur AMADE Mondiale
The AFRICA ECO RACE is a true human organisation, you really fell that you're a part of a global project with an open and very initimate feeling. So you sleep with very simple thoughts while you reach your goal: Dakar
Franco Acerbis - ACERBIS
It's a race with values , human values, eco-responsable values… A true and efficient aid for the Children of Africa and that is important !
SAS Prince Albert II
You dream of dunes and beautiful landscapes, follow us to the Lac Rose !
René METGE
Africa is an happy continent with smiling people, with freedom for racing, thanks a lot to orga work to preserve classic African event based on values from first Dakars... Good luck AER!
Tomas Tomecek - Winner Truck AER 2022
It is always a pleasure for the population of Menton to witness the arrival of all these vehicles: trucks, cars, buggies, motorbikes… It is also all about the human and convivial aspect of this race which races through the city of Menton.
Fabrice PINET - Ville de Menton
For us as service-team, the AER feels like going on a road-trip with the whole family ! Together we follow the ancient African trails. Together with the complete organization of the AER we give it all to bring our teams to the legendary Lac Rose !
Being true fans of the AER we enjoy the whole concept as you find in no other race, as one of our SSV pilots reminded me, there is only one real race to Dakar !
Wil THEUWS - Team Manager QFF Racing
I am glad that I was standing at the finish line of AER 22 in Dakar at the Pink Lake. It is the goal and dream of all racers who do cross-country races all over the world.
Team Barth Racing
This event created by Jean Louis SCHLESSER and René METGE is a precise cocktail where the pleasure of racing bonds with the beauty of the landscapes and the nice atmosphere between everyone on the bivouacs