24th JANUARY 2008
A BIG THANK YOUIt is hard to put into words how we are thinking but to everyone that has helped us as we tried to reach our goal of competing in the hardest race in the world the Dakar we THANK YOU. Your assistance has been greatly appreciated and without your support the quest just to get to the starting line would have been a great deal harder, also to the people that supported and that are still supporting our two charities, fantastic your donations will make a difference to the lives of many children a big THANK YOU to you all.

So what will we do next ? There are some North African Rallye's throughout the year starting with the Optic (www.npo.fr) at the end of April, this is effectively a mini Dakar but over a shorter time scale, some of us might enter some of these to give us a bit more experience but the elusive big one has still to be raced by us and the Dakar organisers have said that it will happen again in 2009 but it might not go to Dakar itself so check out our site on a regular basis so see what the situation is when it is announced as we are still up for the challenge!!

Regards The Team
Calum, Iain, John, Ewan and Neil

4TH JANUARY 2008
A.S.O. cancels the 2008 edition of the Dakar rally
After different exchanges with the French government - in particular the Ministry for Foreign Affairs - , and based on their firm recommendations, the organisers of the Dakar have taken the decision to cancel the 2008 edition of the rally, scheduled from the 5th to the 20th of January between Lisbon and Senegal’s capital.

Based on the current international political tension and the murder of four French tourists last 24th of December linked to a branch of Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb, but also and mainly the direct threats launched directly against the race by terrorist organisations, no other decision but the cancellation of the sporting event could be taken by A.S.O.

A.S.O.’s first responsibility is to guarantee the safety of all: that of the populations in the countries visited, of the amateur and professional competitors, of the technical assistance personnel, of the journalists, partners and rally collaborators. A.S.O. therefore reaffirms that the choice of security is not, has never been and will never be a subject of compromise at the heart of the Dakar rally.

A.S.O. condemns the terrorist menace that annihilates a year of hard work, engagement and passion for all the participants and the different actors of the world’s biggest off-road rally. Aware of the huge frustration, especially in Portugal, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, and beyond the general disappointment and the huge economical consequences in terms of direct and indirect repercussions for the countries visited, A.S.O. will continue to defend the major values of great sporting events and will carry on its engagement for a durable development through the Actions Dakar, started 5 years ago in sub-Saharan Africa with SOS Sahel International.

The Dakar is a symbol and nothing can destroy symbols. The cancellation of the 2008 edition does not endanger the future of the Dakar. To offer, for 2009 a new adventure to all the off-road rally passionate is a challenge that A.S.O. will take on in the months to come, faithful to its engagement and its passion for sports.

3RD JANUARY 2008
100% SCOTTISH
Hard not to spot them in the maze of administrative checkpoints. Biker jackets, biker boots but sporting their kilts, Iain Shankie and John Whiteford are proud to wear the traditional outfit of their native Scotland; they are impressed by the size of the event. "It’s huge. It’s the ultimate challenge. It’s agonizing", says Shankie time and time again. He will be one of the 5 members of a 100% Scottish team together with Whiteford, McKenzie, and brothers Neil and Ewan Buchan.

The project was launched by a 60 year-old highlander called Robbie Allan who had tried his luck last year on the Dakar but had to quit just before the rest day. "He is our inspiration. He brings us together, he encouraged us, insists Whiteford. No Scot has ever reached Dakar. With a little bit of luck we might have a way of writing a new page of history."

To this end, however, they will have to trade their kilts for trousers that better match the tough desert lying ahead.