2009 Itinerary: EGYPT in all its glory!

Since its creation and by its nature, the TransAfricaine Classic has always upheld the vocation of enabling people to explore Africa’s most beautiful deserts. After 3 years of following the legendary route from Paris to Dakar, to discover new horizons and venture into the hidden wonders all across the continent, the TransAfricaine Classic has now opted, as of 2009, to unveil the mysteries of Egypt and its fascinating deserts… this country alone offers a true concentrate of unforgettable adventures.

This does not mean we’re abandoning the “grand voyage” from Paris to Dakar. But we believe it requires an inordinate investment for most of the interested individuals (primarily amateurs looking for an exciting challenge) for us to maintain it as an annual event. Furthermore, we think its time to offer something new to the many loyal participants who’ve already made the “TransAf” a tradition not to be missed. Henceforth, everyone can join in the Paris-Dakar version of the TransAfricaine every 3 years

More desert, more sand

Between the majesty of the Giza Pyramids, under the watchful eye of the Sphinx, and the mysterious oasis on the Libyan Plateau, which hoards hidden treasures galore, stretches miles of northern and middle-eastern Africa’s finest deserts. The White Desert with its incomparable limestone compressions. The Black Desert with its crumbled rocks the colour of fire. And of course, the great Sand Sea and its giant dunes….…

More safety
As the first to have successfully reopened the route through Mauritania, in 2008, we obviously don’t consider this a dangerous region. But we certainly can’t keep our participants and their families from thinking otherwise since the tragic cancellation of the Paris-Dakar. This is another reason we chose Egypt for the next edition. In Egypt, most Foreign Affairs officials have only posted warnings for the Nile Valley. And it goes without saying that we have no intention of going anywhere near such ultra-touristy areas..

Raids and brand trophies: better adapted trails
After the rather encouraging experience of the 2CV-Mehari Cup in 2008, the TransAfricaine Classic 2009 will offer a parallel itinerary in Egypt, more accessible and perfectly well-rounded, for the Raid category as well as for brand-specific events looking to join our organization..

All this is yours to experience with us, October 1st to 11, 2009! Here’s the agenda:

• September 18-19: stickage, technical verifications and embarkation of vehicles only in Genoa (Italy)
  
• October 1 in the evening: teams arrive in Cairo

• October 2: vehicle pick up and administrative verifications
  
• October 3-10: 8 straight days of non-stop driving, from bivouac to bivouac,

with no connecting legs, from Cairo to Dakhla and back.