Race buffs from across the world couldn’t wait for the beginning of January, when their favourite rally-raid would commence in Southern Europe and take the drivers through the better part of Northern Africa.

It all changed in 2008 when organisers chose to cancel the race due to security concerns and moved the competition to South America for 2009.

Some enthusiasts disagreed and set up their own race through Africa and 2009 saw the new Africa race welcome the daring drivers for the first time.

Although security concerns remained high on the agenda, the measures taken were enough to fend off any possible threats.

The route, almost a replica of the Dakar, began in Morocco, and after meandering through the treacherous Mauritanian deserts, finished with a spectacular special stage along the picturesque Lake Retba (‘Pink Lake’), outside Dakar.

Despite copying the route, the new race can hardly match the new Dakar race in South America, at least for now, and this year’s edition is nothing more than a trial run.

A lot is yet to be done both to provide technical support and to attract the sport’s big stars, while some of them have already chosen to stay in Africa.

Two-time Dakar winner and first Africa race champion Jean-Louis Schlesser, is also one of the organisers. He struck a deal with the three countries’ governments, guaranteeing their participation until at least 2012.

Schlesser is keeping his feet on the ground at the moment, but hopes a bright future awaits the rally.

“I hope it will be a big future,” he said. “We proved that we can do it and we are here now and we did it. Next year there will be a lot of people for sure.”

Before winning the race Schlesser had to overcome stiff opposition from a surprise opponent in the guise of Team Russia. He even trailed at one moment, falling behind Andrey Ivanov in the early stages, but Ivanov’s car suffered a major breakdown and the team had to withdraw.

However, the remaining three Russian automobiles were able to make it to the end, with Artyom Varentsov finishing second in the overall standings.

“I can tell you the secret behind our success. We had a truck full of repair parts and re-assembled our car anew every morning, our mechanics doing one hell of a job,” said Artyom. “As for the race, I’m pretty sure that with all the promotion it will attract more than a hundred participants next time. We’ve already handed in our application for next year.”

For now, the Africa race is totally eclipsed by its South American counterpart, but the opening competition has done what it needed to do: claim a place in the racing calendar.