Three trucks getting ready to leave for the Dakar
11.11.2016
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Work in the North Bohemia based MKR Technology centre is in full swing these days as preparations for the move to the Dakar peak. Two trucks have already left and the last one is about to set off soon. On the last weekend in November all three of them are going to board a ferry to Buenos Aires for the next year of the world’s most prestigious rally which starts in January. However, the days ahead of the departure will be exhausting.
“Rebuilding the burnt Sherpa was extremely difficult, but thank god we have managed to do it in time and as powerful as ever the truck left the workshop on Tuesday. The week before that we dispatched the trucks for the Riwald team. Work is still underway on Pascal de Baar’s truck, we’re doing last modifications so that we can still manage a few rehearsal tests next week. As a team we’re currently working hundred and fifty percent,” commented Klára Kress, MKR Technology executive.
In the past few weeks the team successfully proved their strength, building a brand new Sherpa special after its predecessor had unexpectedly caught fire during an event in September and burnt to the ground. Now it looks as if nothing like that had happened. The Renault Sherpa has left MKR Technology’s centre in the north of the Czech Republic together with the K520 of the Dutch Riwald Dakar. Both specials are about to undergo final testing in Fontjoncouse in the south of France. “Local offroad trail is used for example by the Dakar winner de Rooy,” mentioned Klára Kress, adding that on their way to Fontjoncous the trucks will make a stop in Lyon, where the Renault Trucks plant celebrates 100th anniversary and so the Dakar specials will spice up the celebration for the employees.
While the racing trucks duo will be getting ready in France, the team is fine-tuning the third special prior to the last test. Paradoxically, the test session falls on the national holiday of 17th November, Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in the Czech Republic. All three trucks will get together again next weekend in Harskamp, Netherlands, where the traditional spectacular team presentation will take place. Both trucks and Mammoet Rallysport pilots Pascal de Baar and Martin van den Brink as well as the allied Riwald Dakar Team with Gert Huzink will be introduced here. “On the 24th there will be a technical handover at the French Le Havre port and two days later the trucks will set sail to South America. Afterwards, there will be a few days to take some rest so that we can set off for the Dakar in full force,” concludes Klára Kress.
