(21st – 27th September 2008)
In a few days, the challengers in the AMV Shamrock - Morocco Rally will gather at Laâyoune to race 2,210 km on a course with a thousand and one features.
A real rally-raid with few links and true rally with selectives sections (up to 424 km against the clock). The very varied course will reflect the richness of the Moroccan terrain and landscapes. Professionals will ride alongside amateurs and each should enjoy the experience.
In the motorbikes category, an exceptional line-up will ensure it is a great spectacle and high quality battle. On four wheels, while Jean-Louis Schlesser is the firm favourite, the other places on the podium are definitely up for grabs...
• Three Yamahas for every Honda…
Hot favourite on two wheels, David Frétigné, on his Yamaha 450, a four-time winner of the AMV Shamrock, in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007, particularly enjoys this "fun" and very friendly race. Aged 37, David has an impressive record of victories.
Three times International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) World Champion, twice winner of the Dakar in the 450cc category (seven stage victories in this race), five Enduro Champion of France titles and four Cross-Country Champion of France titles.
David is probably the only driver in the world to have obtained victories and reached podiums in disciplines as diverse as they are varied: rally-raid, enduro, motocross, cross-country, super bike, ice and quad. One day, perhaps, he will add the car to this list…
What characterises David is his tremendous strength of character, boundless courage, perseverance, endurance and unwavering determination. He uses his experience and versatility to adapt to and analyse race conditions making him even more competitive.
On the AMV Shamrock - Morocco Rally of 2008, other pretenders to the title will make an appearance: among them, Michel Marchini, Michaël Pisano and Thierry Bethys.
Michel Marchini, leading from the first stage of the Tunisia Rally 2008 on his Yamaha for the HFP Team, had to retire due to engine failure. The driver from Ajaccio was very disappointed to see his first victory from scratch on a rally-raid race at such a high level escape from his grasp.
With unfailing determination Michel will be present in Morocco. For this enthusiast of Africa, the desert offers a constant challenge. Motivated and determined not to just be a bit-part player, Michel Marchini will be a formidable opponent. Another outsider to watch is the Corsican Michaël Pisano, who will be in his first AMV Shamrock - Morocco Rally. His lack of experience in rally raid (he began in 2007) did not stop him from taking 2nd place in the Tunisia rally last May.
Also on a Yamaha 450 he is preparing to participate in a big race in January 2009, South America or Africa, nothing is decided yet. He wants to improve his navigational skills and looking at the course layout, this will be the ideal opportunity. Honed physically through intense training during the summer, he can't wait to get back to Africa.
On the margin of the "Yamaha trio", Thierry Bethys will try to make an impression on his Honda. Motocross, SuperCross, Enduro and Rally Raid, versatile with 20 years' experience of competition at the highest level in all terrains, Thierry will doubtless be trying to dislodge the killjoys at the top of the hierarchy. For the record, it was at Shamrock that he first rode in Africa in 2005 and finished second. The following year he won the race.
A serious challenger to David Frétigné…
Out of luck at the Tunisia Rally 2008, Thierry saw any chance of a podium finish disappear one day before the end due to engine failure, but took the final special section with 7 minutes to spare and after having overtaken 25 bikes. In Morocco, he will improve his navigational skills, but above all he will have fun…
As for the quads, Jean-Christophe Ménard, winner of the Shamrock in 2007 in this category will try to again make an impression on his Yamaha. An optimist by nature, sportsman at heart and tough too, to succeed he must get in front of drivers such as the Spaniard Climent Vicent (who also knows the Shamrock) and the young Vincent Albira who despite a heavy fall finished 8th from scratch in the 700cc of Baja Espana (his very first international race).
• Schlesser in his backyard!
In the cars category, barring incident, the first place should go to Jean-Louis Schlesser, who will be participating in "his backyard". Even if Jean-Louis has never participated in Shamrock, Morocco is a place that he knows to perfection and he enjoys.
A legendary figure in car races, Jean-Louis Schlesser's record is truly impressive… Formula 3, Formula 1, World Champion in Sports Prototypes, five-time winner of the All- Terrain Road Rally (all categories), twice winner of the Dakar and numerous victories from scratch on the legs of the World Cup (Tunisia, Morocco, Argentina, Dubai, Turkey, etc).
On his two-wheeled buggy, Jean-Louis will be directed by Arnaud Debron. Morocco will be a fearsome terrain in real testing conditions for the Schlesser Aventures Team with a view to its first participation in the Africa Race, which will start in January 2009.
Behind the blue buggy, there should be a lot of discussion, because many outsiders will be in with a chance: starting with Leonid Novitskiy on his BMW X-3 for the X-Raid Team. After having driven many very different vehicles, Leonid Novitskiy will take the wheel of the BMW X-3. This year he has already participated with the X-Raid Team in the Transiberico Rally, in Hungary and after the Pax Rally in Portugal, it will be Morocco.
Passionate about Africa, Leonid enjoys this type of race. On the last Tunisia Rally, winner of the first stage, the Russian was unable to finish the race due to mechanical problems. In Morocco, he would love to be amongst the frontrunners…
Amongst the honourable mentions, there are many participants to watch out for, including Etienne Smulevici on his SMG buggy who has never participated in the Shamrock but who has phenomenal experience in Africa with no less than 25 participations in the Dakar. In Morocco, he will be focussing on finetuning his Buggy's driving comfort and navigation because Jean-Jacques Martinez will be Etienne's co-driver for the first time, while keeping in mind the goal of finishing high in the final ranking…
But Régis Delahaye should be a tough opponent. At the wheel of the Buggy MD, a new vehicle, with good potential and particular emphasis on reliability, Régis aims to get on the podium. Determined to put in a good performance, the Delahaye-Gambillon duo are worth keeping an eye on.
Not forgetting, Jean-Noël Julien, Pascal Boutet and François Dzimira who could also spring some surprises.
In the T2 category, Ronan Chabot is the hot favourite. A talented, consistent driver, Ronan has a solid record and is now one of the production bosses. Having driven little this season, Morocco is a chance for him to link back up with the African Rally while preparing himself in the best conditions for further events next January.
Furthermore, Ronan enjoys the atmosphere in NPO rallies and he would love to confirm this commitment in the AMV Shamrock – Morocco Rally: 50% pleasure, 50% work! Around ten T2s will participate in the race and the outsiders should jostle for a position on the podium…
In the trucks category, the Portuguese Elisabete Jacinto will be one to watch at the wheel of her Man up against Bruno Bouey.
• SSVs… Super Spectacular Vehicles!
Always on 4 wheels, a first, the side-by-side vehicles will be taking part… Single-seater or two-seater, these curious little buggies may well surprise a few. There will be four of them fighting for victory in the category: Frédéric Alard, Alain Fricker, Samuel Lecomte and Richard Doux. It's going to be a great spectacle, particularly in the sand dunes! Cars, motorbikes, trucks, quads and SSVs, it's going to be some race…
Dates to remember:
AMV Shamrock – Morocco Rally, from 21st to 27th September 2008.
21st September: Administrative and technical checks (in Laâyoune – Morocco)
22nd to 27th September: 6 stages, 2,210km, including 1,750km of special sections.
27th September: Evening awards ceremony
For more information visit www.npo.fr
- Lydie ARPIZOU – N.P.O -
