The Budapest-Bamako run this year - because of terror threat announced officially before the start - ends in Agadir in Morocco on 29th January 2010.
On 25th January a part of the official participants left the race behind in Laayoune, and decided to set off on their own responsibility towards Bamako.
11:00 AM: The teams are waiting for the low tide to arrive to be able to depart, as the major part of the day will be on the beautiful Oceanside. The Duna TV team - because of the happenings of yesterday - is not be able to continue the fight, their car is technically no longer ready for the run. They are heading home.
Today was the toughest day promised during the competition, the Assa - Layounne stage. On the approximate 600 km long track - known from the Dakar - the difficult terrain caused serious accidents, and unfortunately some roll overs occurred.
A very long and difficult etap started after the briefing in the morning. The teams got to Foum-Zguid towards south from M'hamid, through the bed of the Iríki-saltlake. After they continued their journey through Tata towards Assa's wild camping campsite.
The 12-hour time limit for the 350 km-long section of today has been a little bit over estimated, because most of the participants needed less time to fulfill the difficult rocky terrain. The trip went through the beautiful Jebel Sahra and on hard off-road sections. The vehicles were in hard use, as shown in the service park in the evening.
Today started at 9 a.m. - after the briefing in the morning - when the teams started their trip towards the direction of Tinerhir. The route was varied: passing dunes, later crossing of a stone desert, and finally a mountain to climb.
It appeared the teams have underestimated the distance, which has resulted that a significant number of teams arrived beyond the time limit to the finish.
Today the organizers, regarding the tiring European stages, and the first long etap in Morocco, inserted the Merzouga - Merzouga round competition to the race, the first etap of the modified track.
The clearance on the Moroccan border has never been so quick in the history of Budapest-Bamako, as now, this year the necessary clearance papers could be filled on the ferry in advance by the participants. After the duty of local authorities was carried out under the supervision of the start ceremony of the African section of the ceremony starts.
The first official Off-Road section of the 5 years of Budapest-Bamako took place today.
The longest of the European sections tasks began in Perpignan city, but at the Dali museum, Tarragona, and on the coast of Valencia towns were the tasks, so that the participants not only highway has led to the road.
The run has successfully arrived to France, but some of the Adventure participants notified us, that in order to arrive to Almeria on time to reach the ferry they continue their trip to Spain.
At 8am on 16th January, 2010 the start gate of the Budapest-Bamako has opened for the participants, where by noon more than 200 teams has gone through to begin their journey to Africa. The goal for the first day was Mantova, where the majority of participants have already arrived.
Budapest, 15.01.2009 – The route of the popular Budapest-Bamako Rally has changed this year on behalf of the participants’ safety. But the organizers added new and exciting tracks to the competition.
The once legendary Dakar Rally has left one spiritual heir in Africa. The Budapest-Bamako keeps the flame of trans-Saharan racing alive. The start is not Paris and the finish is not Dakar, but the experience is nearly the same. Bump along the teeth rattling roads of Morocco. Tackle the golden dunes of Mauritania. Dash through the red clay roads of Mali under ancient baobab trees. It's the adventure of a lifetime.
Rocky roads. Sahara. Savannah.
The start in Hungary is a major event with thousands lining the streets at the Grand Depart Celerbation. The route takes you through Austria, Italy, France and Spain along the coast. Teams drive on paved and offroad sections through Morocco, Mauritania and Mali before reaching Bamako. No one has to go home for not being able to complete a stage. There are shortcuts and detours along the way so everyone can make it Bamako. Watch the video of the 2010 racing route or the less demanding adventure route.
Friends. Parties. Deserts.
The Budapest-Bamako is about community. It's about meeting new people. It's about sharing meals, drinks and stories at the end of each day. It's about visiting local villages in Africa bringing gifts and learning about each other. It is about destroying stereotypes. It is also about having a good time. In 2010 don't miss our Star Wars Theme Party and and annual B2 Beach Party.
Caravane Humanitare
The Budapest-Bamako is the biggest charity rally in Africa. In 2009 we delivered close to 700,000 Euros worth of aid. We dug a fresh water well in a Mauritanian village. We gave an incubator, sterilization equipment and other medical supplies to a free clinic that operated with pre-historic tools in a Bamako slum. We erected solar panels in villages, gave bicycles to women who have no transportation. We support the work of schools that rescue childred from day labor. Several teams gave their cars as ambulances to villages, One car donated their van to the Institute For The Blind as a school bus. Charity begins in your heart. Be creative. Be generous. Each year the team performing the most outstanding charity work receives the Mother Teresa Charity Award.
The Budapest-Bamako is about community. It's about meeting new people. It's about sharing meals, drinks and stories at the end of each day. It's about visiting local villages in Africa bringing gifts and learning about each other. It is about destroying stereotypes. It is also about having a good time. In 2010 don't miss our Star Wars Theme Party and and annual B2 Beach Party.
The Budapest-Bamako is the biggest charity rally in Africa. In 2009 we delivered close to 700,000 Euros worth of aid. We dug a fresh water well in a Mauritanian village. We gave an incubator, sterilization equipment and other medical supplies to a free clinic that operated with pre-historic tools in a Bamako slum. We erected solar panels in villages, gave bicycles to women who have no transportation. We support the work of schools that rescue childred from day labor. Several teams gave their cars as ambulances to villages, One car donated their van to the Institute For The Blind as a school bus. Charity begins in your heart. Be creative. Be generous. Each year the team performing the most outstanding charity work receives the Mother Teresa Charity Award.