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 | Czech Loprais Tatra Team starts to build new Dakar Racetruck.
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As soon as Ales Loprais and other team members got home, their minds were occupied by new things to come, new plans and a continuous development. "As soon as all vehicles arrive in Europe we will focus on new technical data we learned and especially we will continue the construction of a new race special. The truck will be a breakthrough in the history of Dakar participations for Tatra in general. It will be the first Dakar version of Tatra with a hood cab. Our endeavours aim at proper testing and finishing everything on time to be ready for another round of the Dakar Series - Silk Way Rally 2010. We would like to make use of our successful performance in 2009 there," Ales Loprais said.
"There is no secret that our team has announced a design contest for fans to create the best design for our new truck. So far we have registered about a hundred answers although the deadline has been gone for a long time. We are still getting many questions, people want to know how the truck will look and components we will use. We can assure our fans we definitely stick to the Tatra chassis concept, so successful in the past. However, the technical development flies fast. The truck we used in 2007 for the bronze placement was some 1000 kgs heavier and 250 HP weaker than the one we are using now. Our competitors from Russia have already developed a monstrous truck with an enourmous output. We don’t want to stay behind. I am looking forward to the real confrontation at the next race event," Ales adds.
The debate on the next venue of the legendary Dakar is not closed yet. "We liked the terrains in South America. The variety of surfaces was a gruelling test for both man and machine. In addition, there are open-hearted people and fans in Argentina and we have only fond memories for them. I would be sorry to leave them. However, a great race is always marked by tough competition. Our steps will always follow the Dakar rally, wherever it sets its next roots. In Tunisia and Libya, great sand stages can be expected and Tatra was traditionally successful on them. But what matters to me the most is the safety of all participants. The future of the rally is based on it," Ales concludes.
2010/01/27 | 01:22 CET | Editor: MR/HS/LOPRAIS
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