Dakar 2017: strong IVECO line-up secures podium finish on SS1

Jan 04, 2017

The PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team has made a strong start to the Dakar 2017 – taking on the extreme terrains of South America in a gruelling motorsport event which will conclude on 14 January.

The 2017 Dakar is underway in South America, with 2016-winning Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO entering a three-strong fleet consisting of one IVECO Powerstar and two IVECO Trakkers. The three trucks are joined by a support fleet comprising six Trakker vehicles for the two-week long event – with the team scoring a podium finish on the opening day (2 January).

This year’s gruelling route covers 12 stages and 8,000 km, with the route crossing Paraguay – which has humidity of up to 100 per cent – plus Bolivia and Argentina. Night-time sections in Bolivia will be characterised by sub-zero temperatures — rising to more than 50°C during the Argentine legs.

Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO is led by double champion (2012 and 2016) Gerard de Rooy, back behind the wheel of an IVECO Powerstar with a sleeper cab – vehicle #500 – flanked by co-driver Moi Torrallardona and mechanic Darek Rodewald.

Driving the second vehicle, an IVECO Trakker with a day cab – truck #507 – is driver Ton van Genugten with co-driver Anton van Limpt and mechanic Bernard der Kinderen.

The third team vehicle, also an IVECO Trakker – truck #525 – is entrusted to driver Wuf van Ginkel, who is responsible for providing rapid assistance during the race. Erik Kofman is co-driver, with Bert van Donkelaar as mechanic.

After the opening stage on 2 January, Ton van Genugten finished just 13 seconds behind the leader, Martin Kolomy with Tatra. Gerard de Rooy did exactly what he had said he would, and didn’t push his truck 100 per cent on the opening day, as the stage was short, the risks very high and the chances of gaining a big advantage were small. He ended the special stage in 5th place, 42 seconds behind the leader. Wuf van Ginkel finished 20 minutes behind the leader to end the day 40th.

The three Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO drivers are joined in the 2017 Dakar rally by Federico Villagra, who is competing for victory in a second IVECO Powerstar – truck #502 – which is being prepared by the De Rooy Team. He is supported by co-pilot Adrian Arturo Yacopini and mechanic Ricardo Adrian Torlaschi. Federico Villagra closed the opening day in 9th position, placing a third IVECO truck in the top 10.

The IVECO Trakker most familiar in European markets is designed to excel in the most extreme off-road missions. With models that range from 18 to 72 tonnes, the Trakker is the perfect combination of robustness and reliability, with the outstanding comfort of the New Stralis Active Day and Active Time cabs.

FPT Industrial, a brand of CNH Industrial that designs and manufactures on-road, off-road and power generation engines as well as axles and transmissions, is the technical sponsor of the team together with Sparco.

One of IVECO’s long-standing partners, PETRONAS Lubricants is also supporting the team’s 2017 bid and acting as title sponsor, supplies the lubricants and fluids for the rally and service vehicles.

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