Over the years a number of FIA European Truck Racing Championships (FIA ETRC) entrants have competed in the ultra-challenging Dakar; and 2016 is no exception.
The Dakar is an intensive test for both drivers and vehicles, with its notoriously difficult terrain. The event takes place over two weeks and consists of 13 stages across Argentina and Bolivia.
Just 218 vehicles finished this year’s gruelling race (84 motorcycles, 23 quards, 67 cars and 44 trucks). So everyone at the European Truck Racing Association (ETRA) was delighted to hear that Team Buggyra Racing finished an impressive 8th place in the truck category of the Dakar.
It was Jaroslav Valtr’s 5th time at the event, but it was his inaugural entry as a Team Buggyra racing driver and this 8th place gives him his best ever result in the Dakar.
The team can be very proud of scoring a double finish with Martin Kolomý making it to the end in 13th. Martin is a seasoned and successful competitor in the Dakar and hopefully this is an excellent foundation for future success for Team Buggyra Racing at the Dakar.
Another FIA ETRC entrant to make it to the finish was Thomas Robineau. Thomas was part of the MINI X-raid team who finished 29th in the Truck category in their IVECO.
Other FIA ETRC regulars who have competed in the Dakar over the years include, for example, Lutz Bernau (now an FIA ETRC team principal), Frankie Vojtíšek and Ellen Lohr. Ellen was there again this year, but as part of the Mercedes–Benz press team, rather than as a competitor.