Attributable to an damage simply over every week earlier than the 2024 Dakar Rally, Martin Ĺ oltys should observe the race from the sidelines. Pascal de Baar has been entrusted together with his #605 Tatra Buggyra Evo3, competing within the Truck class for Tatra Buggyra ZM Racing.
De Baar was initially scheduled to drive the #614 MAN help truck for Workforce Boucou Help. He gained a stage on the 2023 Dakar Rally with Riwald Dakar Workforce, however a late mechanical subject dropped him to sixteenth general at school. He departed the since-renamed Jongbloed Dakar Workforce for 2024 as proprietor Gert Huzink wished to deal with his personal truck.
“I admire the truth that Buggyra boss Martin Koloc approached me,” mentioned de Baar. “Tatra has had an awesome title in Dakar for many years, and it’s an honour to drive such an distinctive automobile as the brand new Tatra Buggyra Evo3. Although I’ll solely get to comprehend it simply earlier than the beginning of the occasion, I imagine I will probably be an asset to the group.”
Gijsbert Verschoor will observe de Baar to Buggyra as his navigator, although Šoltys’ companion Tomáš Šikola stays onboard because the mechanic. Engbert Wingens replaces de Baar within the #614, hoping to rebound after retiring from each Dakar and the Rallye du Maroc in 2023.
Ĺ oltys’ damage means he won’t be able to construct upon his fifth-place end in 2023. He and fellow Buggyra driver Jaroslav Valtr have been the highest-placing non-IVECO vans at Dakar, the latter ending a spot forward in fourth.
“To overlook the dĂ©but of the Tatra Buggyra Evo3 simply earlier than the beginning is indescribable,” Ĺ oltys commented. “I’m very sorry to have made issues so troublesome for the group. It’s a disgrace, however that’s a part of the game. Now I’ve to deal with treating my accidents and I’ll preserve my fingers crossed for the entire group, at the very least from house.”
Valtr and Daniel StiblĂk will race Tatra Phoenixes for Buggyra at Dakar, whereas De Baar’s Evo3 is an upgraded mannequin of the Tatra 815 that Ĺ oltys raced in 2023. The group can be fielding a Crimson-Lined Revo T1+ for Koloc’s daughter Aliyyah Koloc within the Final class.
The Dakar Rally kicks off on 5 January.
