An extra bump that was not in the roadbook caused Erik van Loon to have to leave the Morocco Desert Challenge. The Can-Am rolled after the bump and the hard hit warped the car. Erik and Sébastien Delaunay are unhurt. Anja, on the other hand, was able to enjoy another good day and managed to record the fifth time in the dunes around Merzouga.
"It actually ran really well," Erik tells us. "The car felt really top notch, we had caught up with Mitchel very quickly and wanted to go to the finish line preserved. The roadbook said bumpy with no danger, we've been tackling those all week at full speed with no problems. It turned out to be a step down and a step up with an extra bump that threw the rear up. For a moment it looked like we would make it, but then the nose bit the ground and we rolled sideways. The whole car was bent, so the rally was unfortunately over. The car was really fantastic, very clever what South Racing has done in a short time. Unfortunately, once again it's the roadbook that is nailing us in this rally."
For Anja, the day went very differently. "It really went very smoothly through the dunes. It was a very nice test and we didn't experience anything. Very pleased with the fifth time. It's a shame about the one day where we didn't make the finish, because we could definitely compete for the podium here. The two remaining days we're just going to enjoy."
The seventh stage goes from Merzouga to Borj Bel Frissate and consists of two parts. The first part is 161 kilometers long and starts in the dunes and then turns into tracks with stones. The second section of 149 kilometers is more technical with WRC-like tracks. A diverse penultimate test of the MDC.
Automatic translation of the original Dutch version
Source: Van Loon Racing
The last round for the crown! 💥 It all comes down to this in Morocco!
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All rights belong to A.S.O. / W2RC Publiched on RRN in cooperation with W2RC
Four months since the last round of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship, it’s direction Morocco as the Monster Energy Honda Team riders assemble for the final push of the season.
As well as being on the verge of taking the FIM Manufacturers’ World Championship for a third successive year, Ricky Brabec and Adrien Van Beveren are also on the hunt for top spot in the FIM Riders’ Championship too meaning the Rallye Du Maroc will provide a stunning backdrop to an epic battle.
Last time out in Argentina the Monster Energy Honda Team riders took a spectacular top four clean sweep as Ricky Brabec added victory at the Desafío Ruta 40 to his Dakar win at the start of the year. Having competed in just the two rallies this season, his 100% win record has still put the American in the title fight as he sits just nine points behind points leader, Ross Branch. They will tie on points if Ricky takes victory and Ross finishes in third, but having won more rounds, the championship honours will go to the Californian on the tie break.
Also joining him in that battle is teammate Adrien Van Beveren after his consistent third place podiums at the rounds he’s ridden in this year. The Frenchman is sixteen points behind Branch and mathematically still able to overhaul the pair of them in Morocco if Adrien keeps the pressure on towards that top spot, so things will be tense for all concerned.
Not one to sit in the shadows the 2024 Rally-Raid Portugal victor, Tosha Schareina, heads into this round as the newly crowned FIM E-Xplorer World Champion, so although he’s out of the championship battle, the Spaniard will be looking to round out his season on a high with victory in the spectacular desert of the North African country.
Chilean rider Pablo Quintanilla has had a quiet year in terms of podiums and although he has consistently finished in the top six, he’s had some productive testing kilometres under his belt of late so he’ll be using this event to gain more experience on his Honda CRF450 RALLY and help him on the road to victory at the Dakar Rally in 2025.
Sitting this one out is Skyler Howes who sustained an ankle injury in August. Despite being back on the bike training, he’ll be watching from the sidelines as he gets himself fully fit for the start of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship season in Saudi Arabia.
A milestone introduction to the bike category at this event is the use of the digital roadbook and with the Monster Energy Honda Team testing this past week in Morocco, they have been using this time to not only get their bikes set up for the different terrain, but to also master this important new tech.
With a total 2,468 kilometres across a prologue and five stages, the Rallye Du Maroc kicks off in Marrakesh on Sunday 6th October and will finish up in Mengoub-Bouârfa six days later where the 2024 World Rally-Raid Champion will be crowned.
Ruben Faria - General Manager: "We are here at the last round of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship with four riders, Ricky Brabec, Tosha Schareina, Pablo Quintanilla and Adrien Van Beveren. We have been in Morocco testing and the riders are happy with the bike and all feeling good knowing we can fight for the win on this rally.
Ricky has a gap of just nine points to Ross Branch in the standings and Adrien is a further seven back, so he does still have a chance to win but it won’t be as easy. We’ll take it day by day and do our best as we can while in the manufacturers’ title we lead this by 22 points so that’s very encouraging.
It’ll be a tough rally as over the last month Morocco has seen a lot of rain in this area so the organisers will have to change some tracks as there’s a lot of water, but we’re all positive for this final round that we just want to start!"
Ruben Faria - Pablo Quintanilla 7: "We’ve been training really hard and these kinds of situations are what truly test our ability to adapt. The next six days will be intense but the team and I are focused on doing our best. This rally is the best training we can have before Dakar 2025 and I’m feeling very motivated."
Pablo Quintanilla - Ricky Brabec 9: "The past few weeks have been marked by intense rain which has left the terrain in pretty challenging conditions for us, however, that hasn’t affected our focus or determination. We know it will be a challenge but we’re mentally prepared to give our best during these six days. Plus, once we’ve overcome this test, we’re already thinking about the next big goal of the year, so the motivation is at an all-time high."
Ricky Brabec - Adrien Van Beveren 42: "I’m super happy to be back competing in Morocco after a few months off since the rally in Argentina. The place is incredible, the desert has different terrains and really tests us to the limit. The Dakar is just around the corner but we will still give our best to finish the season as best as we can, I’m sure it's going to be a good battle."
Adrien Van Beveren - Tosha Schareina 68 "I’ve had to change my mentality in just a week after having competed in Switzerland with the Honda CR ELECTRIC PROTO, but I’m feeling good and strong and although I’ve had to get used to a change of climate from the cold at Crans Montana to the heat here, I can’t wait for the Morocco rally to start."
Source: Monster Energy Honda Team
Ford Performance welcomes world-renowned rally and off-road driver Mattias Ekström, who will be joining its team for the 2025 Dakar Rally and thus completing the driver lineup. Ekström, a two-time DTM champion, World Rallycross champion, and experienced rally raid competitor, will join Mitch Guthrie Jr, Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr in piloting the Ford Raptor T1+ in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.
Ekström’s diverse background, which spans success in rally, circuit racing, and off-road competition, makes him a perfect addition to the Ford Performance Dakar team. He has proven his capability in rally raid events, including multiple Dakar Rally appearances, and now looks forward to leading the charge alongside his teammates in the T1 Category.
Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance: “Bringing Mattias Ekström into the Ford Performance family is a big step forward for our Dakar program. Mattias brings a wealth of experience in rally and off-road racing, and his skills add to a formidable team in the Ford Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally is a test like no other, but we’re confident in our lineup.”
Matthew Wilson, M-Sport: "We have followed Mattias’ career for a long time, from his DTM days to the FIA World Rallycross, and now the Dakar Rally. He has shown fantastic speed and ability in all forms of motorsport and his performances in off-road racing have been no different. We are really looking forward to working with him and his co-driver Emil, who both will bring with them a vast array of experience."
Mattias Ekström: "Joining the Ford Dakar program is really exciting for me. Ford and M-Sport have built a vehicle that looks, sounds, and drives awesome and we all have a common ambition to win the Dakar Rally. I have had four tries at Dakar so far and now I can say that I have some experience to be able to aim for the top. There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition – starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver line-up, smart engineers, technicians, and the rest of the team. I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rally du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally. I am in it to win it and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us. I will do everything in my power to make it happen."
WHY: Ford Performance is committed to showcasing its off-road capabilities in rally raid racing and global competition efforts via entries and victories in the Baja 1000, Tatts-Finke Desert Race, and more. The addition of Mattias Ekström finalizes a strong driver lineup for the biggest challenge yet in Dakar, positioning Ford for a competitive push in the 2025 race with the Raptor T1+.a
Source: Ford
The Dacia Sandriders will switch to competition mode for the first time later this week when Nasser Al-Attiyah/Édouard Boulanger, Cristina Gutiérrez/Pablo Moreno and Sébastien Loeb/Fabian Lurquin contest Rallye du Maroc (October 6-11), the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship season decider and the perfect practice run for January’s Dakar.
Having tested the Ultimate category Sandrider extensively in the UK, France and Morocco during the summer, The Dacia Sandriders will aim to put all of that valuable learning into practice on an event described as a miniature Dakar, motorsport’s ultimate test of driver and machine.
While Rallye du Maroc, which covers a total distance of 2468 kilometres, represents a competitive first for The Dacia Sandriders, its driving and team personnel have experience of the African rally-raid event from recent seasons. That gives the squad an important platform from which to progress. Indeed, Al-Attiyah, a five-time Dakar winner, was victorious on Rallye du Maroc as recently as 2021.
“In less than three months we’ll be in Saudi Arabia for Dakar and for what will be an extraordinary human challenge,” said Tiphanie Isnard, The Dacia Sandriders’ team principal. “But you can’t run before you can walk and that’s why we’ve entered the final round of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship to get more important practice and confirm all that we have been learning and developing during testing.
“With five test sessions complete this will be our first race and we’re ready for this real-life rehearsal before we embark on our mission to conquer Dakar.
“To get to this point has required a huge amount of effort and hard work. The dedication of all members of our team has been incredible and I’m really proud of each and every one of them for what they have done.”
A founding round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship in 2022, Rallye du Maroc forms the season-decider for the second season in 2024. Getting under way with a Prologue in Marrakech to the west of Morocco on October 6 and finishing in Mengoub Bouârfa to the northeast of the country on October 11, the event is all about sand dunes, rock-strewn stretches, rough gravel sections and searing heat. Of the 2468-kilometre total distance, 1512 kilometres are against the clock, to underline the intensity of the challenge ahead for The Dacia Sandriders.
NASSER AL-ATTIYAH (QATAR), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“Rallye du Maroc is not only very important for the championship, it’s also very important for the teams because everybody is coming to prepare for Dakar. At this moment we are leading the championship and from my side we need to be clever, we need to manage with a good speed and do no crazy thing because the Sandrider is a new car and we must try to work day by day. I hope to win the world title and be the world champion, it would be nice for me and for my co-driver Edouard as well.”
CRISTINA GUTIÉRREZ (SPAIN), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“It will be our first race with the Sandrider after a long series of tests and I'm very excited. It will also be my first race in a new category as I jump from the Challenger to the Ultimate class. A lot of new things are coming as it's a new car, new category and new team but I already feel very comfortable with The Dacia Sandriders and I hope we can confirm the work done during the tests on Rallye du Maroc. I have some pressure but it's a positive pressure, the type that makes you give the best of yourself. Of course, it will be a race of preparation for Dakar, but I hope we can achieve a good result and have fun.”
SÉBASTIEN LOEB (FRANCE), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“After all the hard work in testing we can finally measure ourselves against the competition and see where we are in terms of performance, but also because we’re starting a new adventure with this top team. It will be a full-scale test, a live rehearsal you could say, so the objective is, above all to see that everything is in place and working properly. If it isn't this is the opportunity to identify the problems and resolve them before Dakar. But if we can get a good result, that would be even better.”
DAKAR NOT ONLY FOCUS FOR THE DACIA SANDRIDERS IN MOROCCO
While its Dakar preparations will be the focus for The Dacia Sandriders on Rallye du Maroc, Nasser Al-Attiyah starts the event in contention for a sixth overall title in what is now the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship following the discipline’s rebranding in 2022. After four rounds competing with other teams, Al-Attiyah and co-driver Edouard Boulanger top their respective championships by 25 and 20 points.
THE DACIA SANDRIDERS RALLYE DU MAROC LINE-UP
#200: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Edouard Boulanger (FRA)
#212: Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP)/Pablo Moreno (ESP)
#219: Sébastien Loeb (FRA)/Fabian Lurquin (BEL)
RALLYE DU MAROC: THE BIG NUMBER
1512: Of Rallye du Maroc’s total distance of 2468 kilometres, 1512 kilometres – spread over five stages – are against the clock.
Source: Dacia
The stakes are higher than ever in the 2024 W2RC finale. From the drivers and co-drivers to the manufacturers, all the FIA titles are still up for grabs as the engines rev up in Marrakesh! The verdict will be pronounced at the end of the 2,468 kilometres of the Rallye du Maroc.
Make or break
The 2023 champion, Nasser Al Attiyah (Dacia Sandriders), and his runner-up, Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing), were looking forward to a rematch in 2024. Fast-forward to the end of the season and the two drivers are fighting for the FIA title again. It has become a classic duel. Six W2RC races have seen both of them on the final podium, including the last edition of the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF Infinia, where the Saudi ace got the better of his Qatari rival. The two-time reigning champion holds a margin of 25 points going into the grand finale, but Al Rajhi can still snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Indeed, he scored 27 points more than Al Attiyah when he triumphed in Morocco last year. The leader has no room for error in a country where he has already savoured the sweet taste of victory (2014 through 2018 and 2021) and the bitter sting of defeat (DNF in 2019 and fifteenth place in 2023). Shaking up this scenario even more is the fact that this will be his first official race in a Dacia Sandrider. Getting it right the first time is easier said than done, as the Qatari himself experienced first-hand when he had to bail out of his new Hunter before the finish of the Dakar last January. Sure, he bounced back with two consecutive victories at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, but if he messes up this time, the crown will go to his arch-rival in Morocco.
Another driver remains mathematically in contention… On paper, at least. Lucas Moraes (Toyota Gazoo Racing) trails the leader by 53 points with 55 points on the table (see box below), so he needs something just short of a miracle. However, the Brazilian has two missions to keep him busy. First, to defend the W2RC bronze medal that he claimed last season, knowing that X-raid Mini JCW's Guerlain Chicherit and Guillaume de Mevius are 34 and 38 points behind, respectively. Second, to do his bit to propel Toyota Gazoo Racing to the manufacturers' championship! Just like Al Attiyah, TGR are eyeing their third title on the bounce, but now with him on the other side. The Qatari's marque, Nasser Racing by Prodrive, is 30 points adrift.
Historic first on the cards
Rokas Baciuška (Can-Am Factory) remains undefeated in the W2RC. The Lithuanian clinched the SSV titles in 2022 and 2023. He joined the Challenger field this season in a bid to become the first driver to emerge victorious in two different classes. He has never finished lower than first (Portugal and Ruta 40) or second (Dakar and ADDC). With a healthy lead of 44 points over Nicolás Cavigliasso, there is no reason for him to stress in the final round. The Argentinian has won almost as many stages as his rival (seven, i.e. one fewer), but he is paying the price for his anaemic early-season performances at the Dakar (sixth) and in the Emirates (fifth). Finishing sixth in Mengoub/Bouârfa would do the trick for Baciuška, although you should never count your chicks before they hatch in rally raids.
Marcelo Gastaldi (BBR) faces a scenario not entirely unlike that of his compatriot Moraes in Ultimate. He is also third in his class, Challenger, and he also needs to seal the deal on a podium finish. His closest rival, Austin Jones (Can-Am Factory), is not coming to Morocco. Instead, his BBR teammate Dania Akeel is the closest threat at 32 points.
Buckle up
A season is a long time in rally raids. By the time they cross the finish line of the Rallye du Maroc, the competitors will have covered over 17,000 kilometres. Consistency is key over such mammoth distances. Sebastián Guayasamín (BE Racing), ensconced in the SSV lead despite not having won a single race, is living proof of that! Keeping mistakes to the bare minimum and protecting his machine has allowed him to finish in the top 4 in every single round so far, in stark contrast with Yasir Seaidan (MMP), who has won two rounds but bowed out of the rallies in Portugal and Argentina. He now stands 6 points behind Guayasamín.
What looked like a two-man duel between the Can-Am drivers has morphed into a three-way standoff. Ricardo Ramilo (Escuderia Ramilo-Rodamoto) has surged back into contention for the title after snapping up the last two rounds. The Spaniard is 20 points from taking the crown from under his rivals' noses. Rebecca Busi (OnlyFans) has a bigger mountain to climb at 41 points. For the first time in W2RC history, four competitors are in the mix for the championship heading into the finale!
Points on offer
A maximum of 55 points are at stake in the Rallye du Maroc, with two different hauls up for grabs:
Finishing in the top 15 overall, according to the following scale: 30 (1st), 25 (2nd), 20 (3rd), 17 (4th), 15 (5th), 13 (6th), 10 (7th), 9 (8th), 8 (9th), 7 (10th), 6 (11th), 5 (12th), 4 (13th), 3 (14th) and 2 (15th).
Finishing in the top 5 of a stage, according to the following scale: 5 (1st), 4 (2nd), 3 (3rd), 2 (4th) and 1 (5th).
Each manufacturer can field a maximum of three crews in each event. Only the top two from each team will score points, which will be awarded following the above scale.
History in the making
The three world co-driver championships are also on the line. In the FIA class, Édouard Boulanger (Dacia Sandriders) is in the pole position to succeed fellow Frenchman Mathieu Baumel (X-raid Mini JCW). Al Attiyah's new partner is 20 points ahead of Al Rajhi's lieutenant, Timo Gottschalk (Overdrive Racing).
There is history in the making in the Challenger class, where Valentina Pertegarini seems poised to become the first female W2RC champion! Riding shotgun with Cavigliasso, the Argentinian will not have to contend with Oriol Vidal (Can-Am Factory), who is still on the mend. The final obstacle standing in her way is Gastaldi's co-driver, the Brazilian Carlos Sachs (BBR), 35 points adrift. In the SSV class, Fernando Acosta (BE Racing) has a golden opportunity to erase his 11-point deficit to the leader Fausto Mota, who is no longer racing with Ramilo. If Sergio Lafuente (OnlyFans), who navigates for Busi, manages to keep his third place, he will net Uruguay its first ever W2RC title.
Source: W2RC / A.S.O.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is set to tackle the final round of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) at the Rally of Morocco from 6 to 11 October. With two highly skilled crews competing in race-proven machines, the team is ready to take on the demanding terrains and fierce competition in the Moroccan desert. The Rally of Morocco, renowned for its challenging stages and tough conditions, will also mark a milestone in W2RC history, as it celebrates the 100th timed stage of the championship.
TGR’s lineup for the Rally of Morocco will feature Lucas Moraes and co-driver Armand Monleon in the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+, as well as Seth Quintero and co-driver Dennis Zenz in the same race-proven machine. Moraes, one of the rising stars in the world of rally-raid, will be making his debut in the Moroccan race. Quintero, known for his speed and determination, will be looking to deliver strong results as he continues to gain experience in the W2RC
W2RC Standings: Aiming for Maximum Points
With the final round of the W2RC approaching, TGR heads to Morocco looking to close the season on a high note. Currently sitting in 3rd place in the W2RC standings, Lucas Moraes trails the championship leader by 53 points. While the title is out of reach, a strong performance in Morocco could see Lucas move up to 2nd in the final standings. His consistency and ability to tackle the toughest stages have been key to his success this season, and he will be aiming for maximum points to end the year on a high.
Meanwhile, Seth Quintero sits in 8th place in the standings, 103 points behind the leader. Like Lucas, Seth will be focusing on achieving the best possible result in Morocco. The young American driver has shown his enormous potential throughout the season and will be keen to deliver another solid performance in the challenging Moroccan terrain.
Rally of Morocco: The Ultimate Test of Skill and Endurance
The Rally of Morocco is widely regarded as one of the toughest events on the W2RC calendar. This year, the race will cover a total of 2,468 km, of which 1,512 km will be timed special stages. The event will take place over five gruelling stages, plus a short prologue. The terrain will challenge competitors with a combination of vast desert landscapes, sharp mountain passes, expansive dunes, and rocky tracks that test both the drivers’ skill and the durability of their vehicles.
The race kicks off on 6 October with a prologue in Marrakesh, setting the scene for the upcoming five days of intense rally-raid action. From 7 October, the real competition begins with Stage 1, a loop around Zagora, covering 268 km of timed racing. This region is famous for its Erg Chegaga dunes, where competitors will be tested by the deep sands and tough navigation challenges. The second stage, also based in Zagora, will be a longer special, adding another 317 km of racing through similarly punishing terrain.
Stage 3 will take the competitors on a point-to-point route, travelling from Zagora to Mengoub-Bouârfa. The stage will include 318 km of timed special, with the route featuring separate tracks for FIA and FIM classes to add variety and increase the complexity of the challenge for the car drivers. This stage will push competitors into the dunes of Merzouga, where the soft sands and challenging dunes will require utmost precision and control.
The final two stages, held around Mengoub-Bouârfa, will serve as a prelude to the grand finale. Stages 4 and 5 will take competitors into some of the most sparsely populated areas of the Oriental region, an area known for its rocky, barren landscapes and Dakar-style tracks. Navigational challenges will come to the forefront as the terrain offers little in the way of visible markers. The 272 km timed special of the final stage on 11 October promises to be just as unpredictable as the rest of the race, making it an exciting and nerve-wracking end to the 2024 W2RC season.
A Dakar-style Challenge
The 2024 Rally of Morocco, designed by race director David Castera, is often referred to as a miniature version of the Dakar Rally. With its blend of rocky trails, dunes, and fast sections, the event will provide teams with a demanding rehearsal for the next W2RC season, which kicks off with the 2025 Dakar. As always, the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ will be expected to showcase its reliability, durability, and performance across these varied stages, as Lucas Moraes and Seth Quintero aim to end their season on a high.
Source: Toyota
Prior to the Rallye du Maroc, Erik van Loon will test with the Audi S1, with which he will participate in the Dakar Classic in January. After the test, Erik will start getting ready to participate in the Rallye du Maroc, which he will do in a new Can-Am T4. Erik will be navigated by Hein Verschuuren.
Erik is looking forward to going to Morocco again. “Especially as a test for the Dakar Rally, it's always good to go to Morocco. You can really put the car to the test there, but also establish a good base in terms of setup. We have already driven the Audi a few times, but not yet under these conditions. During the Dakar Classic things are of course different than during the 'normal' Dakar, but also then the car has to be good and we have to know what it can do. I'm very much looking forward to driving it.”
The test will be followed by the Rallye du Maroc. “That's quite a switch, from the Audi to a Can-Am. South Racing has built a new T4 and we will drive it. The competition in this class is very big and usually the field of competitors in Morocco is well filled. For us, the most important thing is to finish and not have any problems, because we haven't been able to do that the last few rallies. Once we feel the confidence in the car we can increase the speed and see where we stand in this field of competitors.”
The Rallye du Maroc begins on Oct. 6 with a 25-kilometer prologue. The two days before the prologue will be used for inspections and final tests with the Can-Am. The rally ends on Oct. 11 after 1,512 kilometers at speed. For more information about the rally, visit https://rallyemaroc.com/.
Automatic translation of the Dutch version
Source: Van Loon Racing
The Tatra Buggyra ZM Racing drivers will face a big desert test at the Rallye du Maroc, taking place from 6 to 11 October. This demanding rally serves as an important test before the Dakar Rally in January. As for the Baja Poland, the team will start with two race trucks: a Tatra Buggyra EVO3 with Martin Šoltys, Tomáš Šikola, and Vlastimil Miksch, and a Tatra Phoenix driven by Karel Poslední, Filip Škrobánek, and Jaroslav Kolář.
"Traditionally, the Rallye du Maroc is a big test for all teams heading to the Dakar. We will use the harsh desert conditions to test all the improvements made in our trucks, and the guys are looking forward to the challenge," says Buggyra's Head of Communications, Jan Kalivoda.
Although Buggyra has carried out thorough tests, , some things are simply impossible to replicate in Europe. "The conditions at the Dakar are very specific and cannot be simulated in the Czech Republic. That's why we are trying to fine-tune our equipment in Morocco to be 100% ready for January," Martin Šoltys explains.
Cooperation within the crews is very important for demanding rallies. "In the cockpit, we are getting along perfectly. Tomáš Šikola, the engineer, knows every detail of the car which is a great asset when it comes to repairs. And Vlastimil Miksch is a great teammate, so the atmosphere is excellent," Martin Šoltys adds.
Karel Poslední, who will be heading to his first long-distance rally raid outside of Europe after his debut in Poland, feels the same way. "The Rallye du Maroc will be a big challenge for me. I have a lot of respect for sand dunes, so I'm glad that we'll be doing some testing before the race. Gathering experience is key for me because I'm a rookie," he explains.
Before the start of the Rallye du Maroc, both crews will carry out some tests in the desert dunes near the Algerian border, as another important part of the Dakar preparations. This area is known for its extreme conditions, similar to those encountered by competitors during the Dakar. "The dunes are a crucial part of the Dakar, so it's important to get used to them and improve our sand driving technique," Karel Poslední adds.
The Rallye du Maroc, which takes place from 6 to 11 October, is the biggest test for the competitors and their machines before the Dakar in January. The program includes a prologue and five stages, with a total length of 2,468 kilometers, of which 1,512 kilometers are special stages.
Source Buggyra Racing
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