Terrorism Cancels Dakar Rally in Africa

One of the world's most grueling race events faced a challenge too steep to beat.

The Dakar Rally, held annually in Africa, was canceled just a day before it was set to begin due to fears stemming from recent terrorist attacks and threats in the west African country of Mauritania. Details of recent events include:

France, where the race organizers are based, had urged the rally to avoid Mauritania after the four family members were killed in an attack blamed on a terror cell that uses the Mauritanian desert as a hideout.

Officials say the cell is linked to the Algeria-based al-Qaida in Islamic North Africa, which has claimed responsibility for a series of deadly attacks, including the Dec. 11 twin suicide bombings at U.N. offices and a government building in Algiers, which killed at least 37 people.

Normally, terrorism and politics don't find their way to the pages of the Fanhouse, but without a doubt, the cancellation of Dakar is a big, big deal for international racing and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Robby Gordon.

Apparently, the foreign minister of Mauritania is none too pleased with the decision -- the event brings a ton of coverage and money to the country -- and thinks organizers got cold feet too easily.

But safety is safety, and the last thing that the race needs is a driver, crew member, fan, or any other participant killed because of the "race must go on" feeling.

Gordon was scheduled to compete in the 5,267-mile 15-day race as a part of his Team Dakar USA off-road team. Instead, Gordon will likely now be available for testing at Daytona Int'l Speedway with his Sprint Cup No. 7 team instead of having to have driver Brendon Gaughn in his place.

I can't imagine the logistical nightmare that this has caused for the competitors. According to Gordon's website, only the race vehicles from Team Dakar USA can be airlifted to the race but support vehicles have to be first shipped to Savannah, GA before being loading on a vessel for a trek across the Atlantic.

That's not a cheap or quick endeavor, and you can imagine that Gordon is little upset that he has worked hard to get trucks, sponsorship, and a teammate into the race and have it all taken away on the eve of the event. No American team has ever won the event, though last year Gordon won a stage and finished 8th overall.