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2008 Dakar No-Go for Christophe
Barriere-Varju
Here is Christophe's open letter to announce his withdrawal form
the 2008 Dakar Rally:
After 10 months of active sponsor pursuit without success, I
have withdrawn from the 2008 Dakar.
It seems that Australian companies are still not ready to offer
financial support to competitors seeking participation in the
event. Even though the rally captures audiences of more
than 300 million viewers worldwide and is regarded as one of
the most gruelling off-road rallies on earth, its profile in
Australia is perhaps still not extensive enough to lure support,
which is something I am keen to change.
But momentum continues. FoxSports has invited me to be their
Dakar expert host during the race so I will be making guest
appearances on the following days in January:
FRIDAY 4th - 9pm - a preview on the race
THURSDAY 10th - 9pm - discuss and analyse the first few days
Possibly on the 13th or 14th - comment on the casualties
WEDNESDAY 16th - 12pm - discuss progress of week two
SATURDAY 19th or 21st - 9pm - eve of final day
I will also be available to provide answers to viewers on the
SBS Television website.
Media Opportunity
With the upcoming coverage of FoxSports and SBS, I encourage
companies to support our team and in doing so, receive additional
media exposure.
Several options are available - become a sponsor for Dakar
2009 or allow me to endorse your products over a 12-month period.
Coverage will be regular from Jan-Dec 2008 including four press
conferences, one book launch and many television and other media
activities. These will involve the promotion of my book, The
Business Racer: 7th Gear (to be launched in October 2008)
and the formal announcement of my charity, Dreams Do Come
True where a percentage of all contributions and donations
to the Australian Rally Team are donated to the foundation.
Please get in touch with me ASAP if you are interested in promoting
your company during my appearances on FoxSports.
Onwards to Dakar 2009
Since financing the 2006 and 2007 Dakar as a privateer, I have
generated an extensive amount of "Dakar coverage" on
SBS and FoxSports over the last few years (more than any
other Aussie Dakar racer) as well as encouraged the featuring
of the rally in articles in nearly every Australian motorcycle
magazine.
As such, with both FoxSports and SBS offering significant exposure
to companies supporting future Australian Dakar Racers (and
despite being unable to draw enough financial support to make
Dakar 2008 a reality) I am now seeking support for Dakar 2009
where I would like to represent Australia in the single seater
buggy category.
As for today, I would like to thank the team who have helped
me along the way - Dakar winner, Cyril Despres' Manager, SBS,
FoxSports, Leila Henderson, Paul Millington, Lisa Smith and
a production company who created a fantastic promotional movie
trailer, as well as all the people that have made an individual donation
(still good for 2009). All were very supportive.
That's all for now. Grab a copy of the January edition
of the Inside Sport Magazine next week for a featured
article on the Dakar Rally and tune in to the
magnificent race televised on SBS Television and/or FoxSports
beginning January 5th.
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