2008 Central Europe Rally
| 2008 Central Europe Rally | |
|---|---|
| Host country | Hungary Romania |
| Stages | 7 (1,092 km; 679 mi) |
| Overall distance | 2,671 km (1,660 mi) |
| Results | |
| Cars winner | Carlos Sainz and Michel Périn Volkswagen Race Touareg 2 |
| Bikes winner | David Casteu KTM |
| Trucks winner | Hans Stacey, Eddy Chevaillier, Bernard der Kinderen, MAN |
The Central Europe Rally was a rally raid endurance race held in Romania and Hungary following the cancellation of the 2008 edition of the Dakar Rally, marking the debut of the Dakar Series.
The Amaury Sport Organisation created this event to fill the gap created by the cancellation of the 2008 Dakar Rally after 2007 killing of French tourists in Mauritania less than two weeks before the originally scheduled start of the race.
In the Cars category, Carlos Sainz Sr. won his first Dakar by 2:01 over Stéphane Peterhansel.
In the Trucks division, Hans Stacey won his second Dakar.
In the Bikes division, David Casteu won his first Dakar.