Martin wins at the Dakar, his crew’s truck takes the lead

4.1.2017

Photo gallery
Total 7

Sensational! Czech Republic celebrates another win at the Dakar. Stage two of the world’s most prestigious rally was dominated by the Czech truck from MKR Technology’s North Bohemia workshop with the Roudnice based mechanic Daniel Kozlovský on the board. The pilot Martin van den Brink brought his Renault Trucks special to the finish in the fastest time, thus soaring to the top of the overall ranking.

 “This is just amazing. It was unbelievably hot outside and we were literally boiling in the cabin, but it seems that the more demanding the conditions are, the  better is Martin able to go. He did an excellent job today. Two podiums in two days. It sure wouldn’t harm keeping up this trend,” smiled the crew mechanic Daniel Kozlovský from Roudnice nad Labem, praising his pilot Martin van den Brink.
 For the second racing day the organizers prepared a 812km stage from Resistancia to San Miguel de Tucumán for the participants of the 38th Dakar rally. Trucks had to complete the longest timed special of all, tackling an extremely tough 284km section stretching over the Gran Chaco alluvial plane, which is covered with a super fine dust. “The heat combined with the amount of dust is an extreme combination. It was definitely a plus to be able to start from the front row. Nevertheless, this stage required nerves of steel” commented Kozlovský.
 The Dutch-Czech crew of the truck 506 negotiated the traps of Tuesday‘ route as the best of all. They crossed the finishing line as the fastest ones after two and half hours, beating the second Russian Sotnikov on a Kamaz by two minutes. Nearly one minute later came the Dutch Huzink on third place. Van den Brink’s team-mate from Mammoet Rallysport Pascal de Baar arrived at the finish with a six minute margin on fourteenth place. The handicapped Andorran pilot Albert Llovera racing under the Bonver Dakar Project Allbert Llovera, whose Tatra is propelled by a driving unit built by MKR Technology, reached the finishing line on 29th place. Unfortunately, Gert Huzink, third of the Dutch pilots taming a truck from Židovice, ended up in an accident. The crew was classified on fifth place and the scope of damage is currently being determined.
 Thanks to the win in the second stage van den Brink soared to the top of the overall classification. He has a three minute headstart on the second Sotnikov. “Yes, the first two stages turned out great for us, but it’s still a beginning. After all the experience we’ve head we must contain the excitement a little, there are still many rough kilometres before the finish and a huge portion of luck will be crucial,” says Mario Kress, MKR Technology’s chief constructor, with both feet on the ground.
 Wednesday’s stage three from San Miguel to San Salvador de Jujua is 760km long. The special consists of 200km and its introductory off-road sections will surely be a thorough test for the racing technology.

Dakar 2017
Results – stage 2 (Resistencia-San Miguel de Tucumán, 284 km):
1. van den Brink (Ned) Renault Trucks 2.37:08
2. Sotnikov (Rus) Kamaz +2:03
3. Versluis (Ned) MAN +2:52
4. Viazovich (Blr) MAZ +2:55
5. de Rooy (Ned) Iveco 3:03
14. de Baar (Ned) Renault Trucks +6:10
32. Llovera (And) Tatra +45:39
50. Huzink (Ned) Renault Trucks +4:21:32

Overall ranking:
1. van den Brink (Ned) Renault Trucks 3:07:33
2. Sotnikov (Rus) Kamaz +3:09
3. Kolomý (Cze) Tatra +3:11
4. de Rooy (Ned) Iveco +3:20
5. Versluis (Ned) MAN +3:29
14. de Baar (Ned) Renault Trucks +8:19
33. Llovera (And) Tatra +1:01:13
48. Huzink (Ned) Renault Trucks +4:22:40

Sdílet: