Martin wins stage eight

11.1.2017

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Sensational! The Dutch-Czech crew of the truck number 506 is back! The pilot Martin van den Brink with the Roudnice based mechanic Daniel Kozlovský win the eights stage of the Dakar Rally! Following lengthy technical issues the MKR Technology truck proves it has what it takes to be the best at the legendary rally.

“The feeling is hardly describable. Coming back after all the trouble we’ve had to overcome these past few days, being back at the top, is simply sensational. We are all incredibly happy, because we showed that we are able to win with our Renault,“ described his feelings Daniel Kozlovský, crew mechanic of the Tuesday’s winning truck.
The Židovice special put up a hopeful performance already the day before that, as it had moved up the starting field from a rear position to sixth place only to be slowed down by technical problems again. The mud and dirt got to the shaft sealing ring and the truck started losing power. “This really makes one desperate. However, it only proves that if you’re not lucky enough, you don’t stand a chance of winning the Dakar. All the happier we are when fortune favours us, because with the technology we have available it is possible. That’s also why we will continue to fight till the end. We want to complete the race and won’t give up,” encourages his team Mario Kress, chief constructor and boss of the North Bohemia based MKR Technology.
 According to the original plans, special section of stage eight from Uyuni to Salta was supposed to be the longest in this year’s rally. However, due to weather conditions the organizers had to cut it short to some 170 km. It was the Martin van den Brink, Daniel Kozlovský and Marcel Blankenstijn trio who succeeded this time, beating Argentina’s Villagra on the second by 17 seconds. Van den Brink’s team mate from the Mammoet Rallysport team Pascal de Baar finished on 13th place, losing by 13-minute margin.
 The stage stirred up the overall ranking as well. The Dutch de Rooy lost his position in the lead when two Kamaz trucks overtook him and the Russian Sotnikov replaced him on first rank. However, Pascal de Baar returned to the elite five and falls behind the leader by 45 minutes. The unlucky former leader Martin van den Brink jumped up the ranking to 38th position.
 Neverthelles, the weather is the boss of the game at the Dakar now. Not only were the organizers forced to alter the routes because of it, but also stage eight on Tuesday was again full of complications. Rock tumbled down on the only access road to Salta and a massive landslide followed which blocked the way to the bivouac in Salta to all participants. “We are now at a stage when we don’t have the faintest idea what’s gonna happen and how things will continue. Excavators are coming here and the organizers try to think of a substitute route to Chile, which means a detour of several hundred kilometres. Naturally, that doesn’t help anyone, but the conditions are the same for all of us. Basically, it’s a constant battle. It’s exhausting, but that’s how Dakar is,” added Mario Kress.

 Indeed, his concerns were well-founded. Organizers cancelled stage nine from Salta to Chilecito and the crews have another demanding task ahead of them – getting to the bivouac in Chilecito for the start of Thursday’s stage ten which will take them to San Juan. The tenth stage consists of 751 kilometres,  out of which 449km should form the special.

Dakar 2017
Results – stage 8 (Uyuni - Salta, 160 km):
1. van den Brink (Ned) Renault Trucks 1:55:20
2. Villagra (Arg) Iveco +0:17
3. Nikolaev (Rus) Kamaz +0:42
4. Sotnikov (Rus) Kamaz +2:42
5. van Genugten (Ned) Iveco +3:49
13. de Baar (Ned) Renault Trucks +13:09
25. Llovera (And) Tatra +49:23

Overall results:
1. Sotnikov (Rus) Kamaz 17:52:20
2. Nikolaev (Rus) Kamaz +1:46
3. de Rooy (Ned) Iveco +2:20
4. Villagra (Arg) Iveco +29:06
5. de Baar (Ned) Renault Trucks +45:34
25. Llovera (And) Tatra +9:40:49
38. van den Brink (Ned) Renault Trucks +23:44:31

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