Slajd show from Budapest-Bamako 2010

My FotoBlog :-)

I just created new blog- PhotoBlog about my adventures :-)   http://borajdfoto.blogspot.com/

Web site is workin now :-)

Web site is working now :-) Marek, my computerman just repaired it :-) I still don't know what happened...

Attack?

Something bad happened to my web-site. Everything disappeared just before midnight on 31-12-2009...

Not everyone lost courage :-)

Not everyone lost courage after bad news from Mauritania :-)
After my post on Budapest-Bamako Forum I had some e-mails from crews, which didn't lost courage and are decided to go all the way to Bamako :-)

B2 will start from Hungaroring!

News from Budapest ;-)

231 teams are waiting for the start, after the recent kidnapping in Mauritania

20th December 2009 - Budapest. - Hungaroring will host  the start of the 2010 Budapest-Bamako The Great African Run on 16th January, Saturday morning at 8 o’clock. This will be the first time that the two week long rally will not depart form Budapest. "The Hungaroring is the citadel of the Hungarian motorsport and the most prestigious location for the start of the Budapest-Bamako Rally" - said András Polgár run director. Hungaroring has all facilities, which are necessary for the technical and administrative check, and the departure. Administrative and Technical days start on 14th January.

Next to Hungaroring there is an Adventure Park, where a brief but spectacular terrain has to be done by the participants after the start. "We will see who did or did not fix the spare tries and gasoline cans well on the roof.” said founder and patron of the run Villám Géza. After the scoring section in Mogyoród the participants will go through the downtown of Budapest, the Chain Bridge and leave the city on the M7 motorway.

The start of the 9000-kilometer marathon rally is not without its tensions. The participants welcomed astonished, that European citizens were kidnapped by the local Al-Qaeda militants. Last month, three Spanish had been taken from the place where both the adventure and the competition category entrants will pass. "We are concerned about the recent terrorist attacks and safety. The family members are much more nervous. "- said Dany Bolduc, the only Canadian team captain. Early this year, two Canadians were kidnapped, who were only released in April.

The authorities of Mauritania confirmed that the rally has extreme importance to the government. Military fighting vehicles, thousands of armed soldiers and the military aircraft will also take care of this year's Budapest-Bamako. "Of course, this does not mean that the marches do not have to meet strict safety standards" - added András Polgár. This week a special security document is to be sent to the participants. "The Budapest-Bamako is a dangerous operation. Terrorism, the Tuareg rebellion and the political tensions interfere with the run every year. The most important thing is that the threats an risk can only be evaluated and assessed by the participants "- added Villám Geza.

Despite the international economic crisis 146 teams entered in adventure category and 85 teams in competition. According to these datas the Budapest-Bamako Rally is the largest African rally and the world's largest amateur motor sport. The 40% of the participants are non-Hungarians. The Polish, Czech, Slovak and Romanian troops are followed by teams from Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, England, Scotland, Germany, Canada, but even the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and New Zealand as well.

Start: 2010. January 16, morning 8:00, Hungaroring

Entry: Free

BUdapest-Bamako newsletter

Not very nice e-mail I receved last night from B2 office:

Dear Budapest-Bamako participant,

Two European citizens were taken hostage over the weekend in Mauritania. Last month 3 Spaniards were kidnapped, this time 2 Italian were taken by radical extremists. They've been probably been transported to Mali just like all the other hostages in the past few years. Al-Qaeda's North African organization has claimed responsibility for both incidents.

In the past the intention of the hostage takers was to demand money from foreign governments for their citizens. In addition to cigarette and weapons smuggling kidnapping has become a lucrative industry in the region. The criminals operate around the porous borders of eastern Mauritania and western Mali.

What does this mean to participants of the rally? The Budapest-Bamako is exposed to these type of dangers every year. Unfortunately the situation has gotten worse over the past few weeks.

We do everything possible to obtain the maximum protection from the local authorities. We are in daily contact with the security departments of the Mauritanian and Mali governments. The Mauritanian authorities have confirmed that we will receive the highest possible level of military protection just like in the past two years. In addition to armed military guards and desert modified tactical  vehicles and an army plane will monitor the rally as well. The end stage camps (bivouacs) will receive around the clock military guard and both the adventure and the race category will have several armed escorts. This way participants of the rally will be a much tougher target of evil doers than a regular tourist. The issue of rally security and tourism is a serious matter of national reputation of this Saharan nation that has seen its tourist industry destroyed in the past year.

ATTENTION! The extreme security doesn't mean that you don't have to follow strict security rules and restrictions on your own. Here are the most important points:

a) Do not drive at night! Both kidnappings took place at night.

b) Do not deviate from the official route.

c) Do not camp just anywhere. Always stay at the official camps, and check-in at the staff of Budapest-Bamako.

d) If you are lost or get separated from the rest of the teams please go to the nearest military, police or gendermaire check point. Also call the rally's official mauritanian security line. It'll be provided later.

e) One person must attended the morning briefings in Mauritania to hear the latest security updates. The situation is constantly changing.

f) Do not picnic by the side of the road. Don't be a visible target! Do not provoke the locals! Avoid crowds! Do not flaunt your wealth.

g) Be serious on giving out the FICHÉ. Give information of your team on every checkpoint so in case of trouble it is easier to localize your position.

Be prepared that there will be changes in the official route in Mauritania, but they'll only be announced during the daily briefings.

If you are driving back form Mauritania we recommend forming a convoy. We will alert the Mauritanian armed forces about the convoy. All arrangements will be announced about the convoy soon. Who may return on a different time and route: please give us your route and estimated time of crossing the border!

In conclusion, our top priority is everyone's safety and security. However the current situation has to be treated seriously by all of us. It's in your best interest to follow and obey the security rules. Even though we'll have top notch protection, the dangers are real. We urge all participants to carefully evaluate the risks associated with the current situation.

Sincerely,

Bamako Office

Limited Charity project

I had a phone call from Budapest today. Gabor says that in connection with necessary documentation of charity goods, I'll have to let know about that what is in boxes a week before start of the rally. What's more I have limited space for that charity: 30 boxes, 40 cm x 40 cm x 40 cm, no more than 20 kg in one box - together 600 kg. Limit is set as 30 boxes it is an amount on one europalette.
Soon I'll have information what about building wells in villages in Mali -  that was an idea for main charity project for us :-)

In the morning I had a meeting with Swietochlowice's Major - we are preparing start to B2. So much work yet and not enough time.
What worse, I need to collect some 3000 euros for the B2 start, as one of the sponsors said good-bye :-( No one wants to give cash - only things. But I need cash to pay for diesel on the way!
Yesterday I come back from an event "Christmas Tree" - charity for kids from orphany.
I was promoting Budapest - Bamako 2011 already :-)