Van den Brink with Kozlovský are really out

13.1.2018

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High hopes had the fans of Dutch-Czech team with Martin van den Brink and on-board technician Daniel Kozlovský. After news of dropping out before 5th stage of Rally Dakar their truck from northern Bohemia from MKR Technology centre totally unexpectedly appeared on the start list of 6th stage on Thursday, which they have finished in the TOP 10. But then their hopes died. Their team is really out from this edition of Dakar.

            How this, seemingly strange, situation happened? The explanation is easy. The crew perforated their oil tank during one of extreme jumps in the 4^th stage, then stopped in the dunes, from where not even quick assistance could get them from. After night spent in the dunes the truck finally made it to bivouac, but they did not make it to the start of the following 5th stage. “The stage was really extreme and full of collisions and accidents, that the organizers considered its neutralization, which would mean that the results would count towards overall standings, so the guys could be still in the Dakar. Rules allow this eventuality, so they were on the start list and truck simply started the 6th stage and finished it as well. The decision was made when the stage was under way,” Mario Kress, leader of MKR Adventure project form north Bohemia, is explaining the situation.

            In the end the organizers decided to count the 5^th stage official into the overall ranking, which meant that team who did not took part in this section, cannot continue in Dakar. “We knew, that it was risky in a way, but rules are rules and they are valid for everyone, so naturally we fully accept the decision. What a pity. We got hope and were happy, because the truck can really on top indeed. Guys have not slept for two days, have dug really deep, but were not losing hope. The technicians managed to repair everything just ten minutes before the start of the stage, so that they could start. It was great and Martin was very solid. Unfortunately, all the joy lasted just ten minutes, when his times were removed. We cannot do anything about that. Good part of the story is that the team proved great resilience, effort and determination,“  Mario Kress, leading designed of MKR Technology, is proud of his team.

            Friday was a day off in La Paz. Racers entered Bolivia during 6^th stage. “We used the day off for necessary maintenance and service to prepare our vehicles for the final week, which will be really tough as well. We are going into high altitude, so it will not be easy for human body as well. But we will do our best,” Mario Kress is never losing determination.

            So two trucks from Židovice driven by Gerd Huzink and Janus van Kasteren are still in the race. They are on 11^th and 16^th position respectively. Saturday 7^th stage to Uyuni is a marathon stage, where teams will be on their own for two days. 

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