Dakar starts with two MKR Technology trucks

31.12.2021

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The famous Dakar is here! For the third time in Saudi Arabia, the 44th edition of the world's most famous rally will start on Saturday. And Mario Kress' North Bohemian trucks will be there. This year, the MKR Technology team has prepared two special Renault trucks under the flag of the Dutch Riwald Dakar team.

"It's unbelievable, but the end of the year at our MKR was very unconventional, the whole team took a few days off, which they spent with their families. We did well this year. We've done a lot of engine testing and modifications, changes to suspension, changes in terms of reliability and much more. We have done more than one hundred percent and we are still doing everything we can to succeed and achieve a good position," said Mario Kress, MKR Technology team boss and chief designer of the Renault racing truck.

The team will start the 44th edition with a pair of Renault C460 trucks traditionally with Dutch pilots. Gert Huzink will drive the hybrid special truck with starting number 516 and Gert Huzink will drive the standard version with 518. The goal is to finish in the top ten. "Well, if we are really successful, it is within our reach to be in the elite five," said Mario Kress.

The crews will go through demanding two weeks in Saudi Arabia, where the race moved from South America three years ago. The rally traditionally departs from Jeddah, and it will return there in fourteen days. After eight days, the teams will enjoy a day off in Riyadh. There are 12 stages and more than eight thousand kilometers on the program. The timed sections then make up more than half of the route. On Saturday, the ceremony begins with an introduction and right from the start the crews have to drive six hundred kilometers long crossing to the city of Hail, where they will race on a nineteen-kilometer 1A stage. Sunday's 1B stage will provide 333-kilometers long special section.

This year's Dakar is now part of the five-part World Championship in long-distance competitions under the auspices of the FIA ​​and FIM. If the crew does not reach the finish line of any of the stages in the time limit, they can enter the next ones and finish the Dakar as part of the "Dakar Experience". Their competition ends only if they fail to reach three stages within the time limit.

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