IVECO IS READY TO EMBRACE A NEW CHALLENGE ON THE DAKAR RALLY RACE 2023, THE MOST ANTICIPATED ADVENTURE OF THE YEAR ACROSS THE DUNES
IVECO will participate once again in the historic Dakar race with two new teams: Boss Machinery Team de Rooy IVECO and Eurol Team de Rooy IVECO are warming up engines ahead of the Dakar, the world’s most extreme rally raid race, which will take place for the fourth time in Saudi Arabia from 31st December 2022 to 15th January 2023.
Powerstar racing truck — Source: TEAM de Rooy
IVECO will be the official supplier of the two teams and provide them with vehicles, engines and spare parts. All the IVECO Powerstar trucks feature IVECO Cursor 13 engines with up to 1.000 hp specially engineered by FPT Industrial — IVECO’s sister Brand within Iveco Group and a global leader specialised in advanced powertrain technologies — with the lastest updates on suspension set up and tyre inflation systems. The latest edition of the Dakar rally race — which will see 365 vehicles competing — returns to Saudi Arabia with a new route that will be a true test of extreme endurance.
Powerstar racing truck — Source: TEAM de Rooy
The competitors will cover a total distance of over 8.500 km on perilous terrain, starting on the shores of the Red Sea and crossing the finish line in Damman, on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula. The level of difficulty has been ramped up once again for this edition that will put the pilots to the test, with close to 5.000 km of specials packed into the competition’s prologue and 14 stages, which will include a fourday foray into the ocean of dunes of the Empty Quarter and a “Marathon” stage where the crews and rally trucks will compete without assistance.
Fabio Santiago, Head of Marketing and Product Management IVECO Truck Business Unit, stated: «We can’t wait to see our IVECO Powerstar trucks show what they are capable of on what is set to be the toughest of the Saudi Arabian Dakar rallies. Our teams stand out for their powerful mix of experience and young talent, with pilots who share their hunger for competing and determination to push themselves — and their vehicles — to the limit. Teaming up with our proven, high-performance IVECO Powerstar trucks, the’re a winning combination and eager to take up the challenge!».
Powerstar racing truck — Source: TEAM de Rooy
Eurol Team de Rooy IVECO
Mitchel van den Brink made his racing debut at just 16 years old, when he joined his father Martin as a mechanic/navigator in Dakar 2019, when he was the youngest ever participant in the rally race. He will compete in an IVECO Powerstar (vehicle #511) with navigator Moises Torrallardona and mechanic Jarno Van De Pol.
Martin van den Brink, a legend of the Dakar since 2009, will participate with navigator Rijk Mouw and mechanic Erik Kofman. Having finished the Dakar 2021 in 8th position, he will compete on board an IVECO Powerstar (vehicle #506), aiming for an even better finish.
Powerstar racing truck — Source: TEAM de Rooy
Boss Machinery Team de Rooy IVECO
Janus van Kasteren jr is a rally driver and will be competing in the Dakar rally for the fourth time behind the wheel of an IVECO Powerstar (vehicle #502) with navigator Marcel Snijders and mechanic Darek Rodewald. He will aim to capitalise on the experience he gained in the previous editions and improve on the 6th place he achieved in the 2020 edition.
Vick Versteijnen, from The Netherlands, made his debut in the Dakar rally in 2015, and will compete in an IVECO Powerstar (vehicle #504) with navigator Teun Van Dal and mechanic Andreas Van Der Sande.