Dakar

[werner]

Didn't you all feel very annoyed when the ASO cancelled the Dakar-rally? Maybe the greatest adventure in the world, and on of the greatest races was cancelled because of some angry jealous bearded men can't behave themselves.
Not only was I dissapointed for the exitement I was going to miss, but I was also sad for the Senegalese that their event was't happening this year, and the next. A big blow for a country that is maybe the only one in the region that is able to have a reasonably democratic, free society. They really deserved to be the host of such a great event. Unfortunalely their less evolved neighbours blew it for them.

To be less dependent from the surrounding countries a circuit race might be safer. That's why I thought of a circuit in Dakar. The series that maybe would like to race here is the FIA-GT series. They really want to be a world-championship, and therefore you need races in at least 3 continents. There aren't a lot of opportunities in Africa, but this is one, and it's relatively close to Europe. The administation of Fia GT isn't afraid of using interesting and new tracks either, they have created races in the streets of Bucharest, Romenia and San Luis, Argentinia, the latter witch looks to be very spectacular.
Given the climate it would be a great season-opener. In februari temperatures are a bit above 20 deg. Celcius, and it's usually dry.

So let's go to the track. It's located around the national stadium, giving plenty room for paddocks, press-room etc.
The track itself is a bit schizofrenic, with the first part very fast and the last part around the stadium more technical. It's about 4,5km long.
The part between the Senegal-hairpin and the stadium isn't there jet, that will have to be built, and probably the surface of the rest of the track won't be good enough either, so it will probably have to be repaved. But otherwise it probably won't need anymore preparation than any other street-circuit.