This year, the Dutch are once again competing in the toughest rally in the world. In Saudi Arabia, participants face extreme heat, long stages and minimal margins for error for days on end. For manufacturers, private drivers and teams, Dakar is still the ultimate rally when it comes to endurance for man and machine. During this rest day, we look at where they are in the standings. <\/p>\n
There are several Dutch names on the start line in the car class. Some drive in the top class with a factory team, others as private duos who rely mainly on experience and perseverance, such as the Coronel brothers. These are the best-known names among the cars and their current positions: <\/p>\n
These big guys that sometimes weigh more than ten tons jump over the dunes like it’s nothing. The Netherlands has a rich Dakar history in this category, with names like Jan and Gerard de Rooy and Hans Stacey, and there is Dutch input again this year. Here’s the intermediate standings: <\/p>\n
Although the Dakar Rally takes place literally thousands of kilometers from the Netherlands, Dutch involvement remains remarkably high. From seasoned routinarians to rookies chasing their dreams: every year compatriots prove that desert rallies are not just for drivers from sandy countries. The Dakar can be followed through January 17 via this website<\/a>. <\/p>\n