Over a hundred vehicles will be joining the AFRICA ECO RACE in Monaco, awaiting the launch of the 11th Edition on the 30th of December, which will be given by Adriana, the event’s ambassadress. The Moto, Auto and Truck participants, passionate about Africa, will follow Thierry SABINE steps to join the famous Rose Lac after driving across Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal for over 6000kms.

COMPETITORS

RISE OF THE MOTO CATEGORY

With a record of participation this year, there will be some serious competition in the moto category of the AFRICA ECO RACE. Among the entertainers of the race, Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER, will be one of the favorites. But the Norwegian will be confronted to the tenacious South-American Francisco ARREDONDO or Italian pilot, Alessandro BOTTURI, who both have the objective of stepping on the center of the podium. A large Italian delegation, including rally legend Franco PICCO, will also be participating. This 11th Edition will also see the comeback of some African land regulars, pillars of the Rally Raid racing, determined to relive the African experience.

LEGENDS IN THE AUTO CATEGORY

In the auto category, Kenjiro Shinozuka, Land of the Rising Sun rally raid champion, will end his impressive career with the AFRICA ECO RACE. The Japanese will meet up with his old friend Jean-Pierre  Strugo. For it’s second participation, the French is clearly part of the favorites of this edition, same as Dominique HOUSIEAUX, experienced pilot dreaming of lifting the bronze trophy on Sunday 13th of January 2019 at the Rose Lac. Onboard their Optimus, both will be facing some challenging competitors used to the race such as Yves FROMONT and Patrick MARIN driving their powerful Tarek buggies. Spectators can also count on the team of “Fearless Drivers” composed of Jean-Nöel JULIEN, David GERARD, Philippe GOSSELIN and Dominique LAURE.
All as ruthless on track than kind in life, as they will be donating to a Sister’s congregation in Senegal at their arrival at the Rose Lac.

The SSV category, expanding every year, will count a dozen vehicles with increased performance. Some competitors, such as Philippe PINCHEDEZ, French Endurance Champion, will be a serious challenger to Jean-Hugues MONEYRON who will be defending his title.

SUSPENSE IN THE TRUCK CATEGORY

This year, the truck category will be homogenous and open to all outcomes. Up to ten participants in which we will find Tomas TOMECEK, a regular of the AFRICA ECO RACE and big favorite of the category. The triple champion, who will have the advantage of knowing the land well and being able to anticipate most difficulties, will once again be navigating alone without co-pilot.
We will also be able to follow some regular Africa Eco Race competitors such as the veteran Noël ESSERS or Elisabeth JACINTO, Portuguese motorsport star, who intend to make people forget here early abandon on the 10th Edition.
One of the few women participating in this adventure, which also includes Julie VANNEKEN who will be departing for the 3rd time in a row on here Moto, but also Rabha JULIEN, co-pilot to her husband and Catherine DEROUSSEAUX who will have the honor to navigate “SHINO”

AN ECO-RESPONSIBLE RALLY

For the second year in a row, the AFRICA ECO RACE and the AMADE Mondiale, a Monegasque association acting in favor of the children’s protection, are partnering up with up to provide the Senegalese and Mauritanian rural schools with portable solar lamps and chargeable docks during the rally. These lamps will enable children to use light on their way back from school in the evening and study in the best conditions possible.
Our environmental project would be to replace petrol lamps, one of the main causes of mortality in Africa, with the solar lamps. To do so, we propose to our participants to buy solar lamps. A way for them to compensate with the carbon print their vehicles leaves all year round. 6 lamps = 1200/CO2 = emission of a 4x4 for 15 days. The ambitious objective is also to deliver with our trucks, a maximum of lamps on top of the thousand we brought on the 2018 Edition.
In parallel, we will be continuing the usual campaign on tree planting in Mauritania, created in Nouakchott on the second edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE.

THE ROUTE

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

For 12 days of racing and 6 022km including 4 014km of Special stages, the participants will adventure themselves into a versatile route with a maximum of sandy tracks and dunes.
With special stages that can make a big difference in the ranking, René METGE, sports director of the race, announces a rally in its purest form: “This year, with over a third of the route renewed, we wanted to focus the race on the navigation and the off-road, even more than the previous editions."
In this African rally, the drivers will need more than ever their co-pilots to navigate in the dunes: "In Morocco, we found some new tracks such as the first and second steps which will be quite challenging for our participants. In Mauritania, over 45% of the route will be off-road. The intense rain of this year will add difficulty as it redesigned the existing dune landscapes and new sand banks were created. There are no more landmarks.
Last but not least, the marathon stage we call the “500 MILES”, created last year on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the AFRICA ECO RACE, is maintained and will enable some to make a difference.

DEPARTURE SCHEDULE

Friday December 28th & Saturday 29th, 2018

From 8AM:

Administrative Checks - Stade Lucien Rhein
Technical Checks - Stade Rondelli
Assistance Park - Stade Rondelli
Official Rally Shop - Stade Rondelli
Media Center - « La Dolce Vita » hotel
Parc Fermé - Monaco - Quai Antoine 1er

Saturday December 29th, 2018

7PM         Parc Fermé - Briefing EXCLUSIVELY  for pilot & copilot

Sunday December 30th 2018

9AM        Official Start - Quai Antoine 1er

4PM        Boat loading - Sète, Gare Maritime
Dinner on board

20PM     Boat leaving for Nador

HOW TO FOLLOW THE RALLY

 "FACEBOOK LIVE" FROM THE BIVOUAC

Every day from 1st of January, at 10.00PM, follow the Facebook Live taking place at each Bivouac of the AFRICA ECO RACE adventure. In the program: summary of the day, exclusive interviews, discover the daily life of competitors and the backstage footage.

Follow also the offcicial start of the race in Monaco on the 30th of December from 8.45AM, the "rest day" in Dakhla on 6th of January and the podium arrival at the Lac Rose from 12.00AM onwards on the 13th fo January.
THE WEBSITE, AFRICARACE.COM

The official AFRICA ECO RACE, available in French and English, will gather live information of the rally:

- Check-point passage timing
- Live tracking
- Live ranking (of the day and general)
- Photo Gallery
- Daily press release
- Videos
INSTAGRAM

Follow the adventures of our participants and volunteers on the official Instagram page of the AFRICA ECO RACE 2019. From the technical checks in Menton, to the arrival in Dakar, live day by day, as if you were there, this incredible adventure.

Official Page of the Rally : @africaecorace
Official HASHTAG of the rally : #AER2019

We thank you in advance for sharing your experience of this journey and taguing us on your posts relating to the rally.

Source & photos: Africa Eco Race