After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - and based on their urgent recommendations, the organizers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from 5th to 20th January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital. Based on the current international political tensions and the murder of four French tourists on 24th December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly in view of the threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organizations, the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.) was of the opinion that no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken.

“We deeply regret the cancellation of this fantastic sports event”, Jerry Perkins, Vice President, Loctite Industrial Group Henkel Adhesives Technologies, EMEA, says. For the 30th edition of the toughest rally world wide Henkel would have extended its commitment by sending its Loctite brand as an Official Partner to the anniversary edition of this event. “But despite our disappointment we respect the organizer’s decision - as matter of course, the safety of the participants has top priority”, Perkins emphasizes.

The Dakar provides an ideal testing arena for new product developments and confirms the superior quality of Henkel products even under the most extreme racing conditions. The Henkel portfolio offers products to prevent loose bolts, worn bearings and leaking seals, replace broken windshields, repair gaping holes in plastic components, tape up all sorts of broken parts - in short, for a huge spectrum of applications too numerous to mention. Many products have earned their "Dakar-proven" stamp of approval in the previous years' events. Used by almost all the drivers competing on bikes, cars and trucks, Loctite anaerobic threadlockers exemplify those small yet very important items that can make the difference between victory and defeat. They perform reliably where mechanical devices fail.