Leaving Lisbon

[DarrenSkilton]

Just want to drop everyone a line that has been following events here. Devastated is not a strong enough word to describe how the team feels. Dozens of people and partners have bent over backwards to get us here and I owe them a huge thank you. I know they all share in our disappointment. I have personally put the last two years of my life into this new car and team project, so it has been really tought to pack everything up today and watch it leave.

I will be in Paris next week for meetings to see where the Dakar goes from here and I am sure there will be news to follow soon. The event will continue in some form. It may never be exactly as it was but the desire for adventure, competition and a true challeng that the event has become will lead the Dakar down new roads.

Although being privy to some info ahead of time because of my work with ASO, I never could imagine the whole thing would be cancelled. I have been shot at, stranded and lost for days on the Dakar but we always kept going. So for this to happen there was a real threat to our safety, even in the early stages.

Thanks again to all the fans and friends that have wished us well. We will be back to debut the new car at some point. I am off to the airport. See everyone at Laughlin.

[TallKewl7]

Darren,

Godspeed coming back, bro! I'm sure you and all the other competitors are heartbroken. I was looking forward to following the action through the crappy media coverage here in the States. You're one of my heroes, just for attempting the damned thing!

Marshall

[bufeo]

Thanks, Darren, for taking the time to post.

Allen R

[caretoman]

good luck darren, and have a nice trip back to the us... its to strange to me that this was announced to late...

[Will_Higman]

Darren

I can only imagine how you must feel… Good luck with your meetings.

FYI Darren is our U.S. representative to the ASO and the Dakar is surely his life passion.

:)

[FlyHiFlyLo]

Maybe the ASO wanted to get all the tourist and competitors into Lisbon so they would dump their cash.

[randy s]

Maybe the ASO wanted to get all the tourist and competitors into Lisbon so they would dump their cash.
the rally would be the ONLY reason i'd EVER go back to lisboa. it would'nt surprise me in the least.

[cvc motorsports]

Darren, thanks for taking the time to post and let us know how things are going. I can't even imagine how you must feel after all the work you put into your project and being our US rep. Good luck in your meetings and keep the Dakar alive as I still have ambitions of running Dakar in 2010!

[Tipracer]

such a bummer darren, so sorry to hear that your countless hours spent making your dream come true were dashed by some jerks hiding in the desert.....good luck with your meetings hopefully some good comes of this, have a safe return trip.

[HBBrat]

Thank Darren for your post. I am sure all the teams that put so much time, effort, money and their lives into Dakar are still in shock. Thanks for your work with the ASO to hopefully keep Dakar a reality for the future. Have a safe trip home.

[dustyhusky]

Darren, heartfelt condolences to you and your team.

I missed the '05 Dakar Rally with a logistical hitch at the last minute, i know what it feels like to invest a year, and then not race. Its crushing. It took me two years to get back on my feet and finally make a Dakar starting line.

Please put me on the list of Americans who plan on going to "Dakar '09" -- no matter when and where its run.

The incredible company that is ASO will certainly put on a great event again, and I want to be a part of it.

Tell Etienne and Patrice they did the right thing, they have many supporters, and back in the USA guys are ready to join their next rally, regardless of where its located and what its called.

ASO is a great company with a strong rally future. Something i want to be a part of.

-Mike Kay
Team RallySoCal

[nohandslance]

Have you given any thought to what races you will be competing in. Now that the "big One" has been canceled. Miss the KIA TT.

[baja619]

Thanks for all your hard work Darren. You truly are our hero and we are wishing you the best luck over there getting the future organized.

[DEZERTBOUND]

Darren, Thank you for taking the time to post. Here is a little "flashback" poster