2006: The birth of an all new sport!
Whether it’s djembe or cora, two hands beating a skin drum or ten fingers stroking taught chords, a voice, a song, a cry, laughter, footsteps meandering along a path or dance steps across a town plaza, Africa is but rhythm. To cross this great continent, you must find the right tempo, the ideal cadence. Most of all, one shouldn’t rush it. But rather, pace your journey and hit your marks, in keeping with the proper times. The 1st TransAfricaine Classic made that point more than clear. Regularity and Africa make a dream couple. For sixteen full days the two lived and breathed in perfect harmony.
To travel from Paris to Dakar, within the context of a financially viable undertaking, as part of an event organized by experienced professionals, over 8,000 kilometres of pure bliss, taking the time to discover and enjoy, to bond and share the incomparable moments is now a very real possibility. Far from the tumultuous rallies based on speed, far from noisy airports too, nestled amidst Africa’s most precious treasures, its true nature, this is indeed the original adventure.
In keeping with the spirit initiated nearly thirty years ago by the illustrious Thierry Sabine, the TransAfricaine Classic has proven to be much more than a simple rally. This is an all new sport. Classic vehicles, with two or four wheel drive, riding along side more recent cars and trucks, right through the heart of the Sahara and the dark continent, each at their own pace, following their road book and carefully established average speed set by a specialized team of experts: the challenge was rather daring, but the bet has been clearly won!
Of the initial 74 teams lined up at the start of this event, 71 actually reached the beaches of Dakar on schedule: proof that this is not a wild race against the clock with the cold-hearted elimination of those who are not at their peak but instead a rally for everyone, where participating and even winning is truly within reach for all those who dare to dream big. An event where amateurs can proudly hold their heads up high, but of course, with the oh so refreshing re-found humbleness to offer help to others along the way, the spirit of togetherness somehow lost through the years of so-called “traditional” rallies.
The wonder of it: to see a leading pack of all different makes, models and years - Peugeot 504s, the little Sunhill buggy, a Land Rover 88, a slew of Range Rovers from the 1970s, a Berliet Gazelle and many others, making their dreams come true with a great sense of shared satisfaction for all. Given the spectacular success of this 1st edition, Patrick Zaniroli and his entire team have already begun fine-tuning the event to offer you even greater wonders for the next TransAfricaine Classic scheduled to take place November 1st thru 18th 2007 on the adventure of a lifetime along the road from the capital of France to the capital of Senegal.
In addition to the top-notch sporting aspects of this event, the TransAfricaine Classic offers a human aspect full of emotion and discovery. Initiated with the very first edition of this event, in November 2006, the humanitarian outreach will remain a key element of this event over the coming years. Bringing much-needed assistance to local schools, clinics, orphanages… including tons of school and medical supplies as well as clothing and targeted actions all along the rally’s route – we’ve geared our efforts toward a truly human level of caring and making a personal difference, directly with the local people, without any unnecessary intermediaries. A tiny drop of water in a vast desert, perhaps, but nothing can replace the smile on a child’s face, the double hand-shake from a grateful nurse or doctor isolated in the far reaches of world’s most needy. They all have a new sparkle in their eye, thanks to the tiny glimmer of hope we bring.
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