Due to the war, the Russians are not participating in the Dakar Rally, so the chance of a Brabant winner among the trucks is very high. Janus van Kasteren from Veldhoven is the top favorite and Vick Versteijnen from Tilburg also has a chance. The brothers Van de Laar from Best and Kees Koolen from Bergeijk aim for the highest possible ranking in the top 10.
The lack of the superior Russians with their Kamaz trucks offers a lot of perspective for Janus van Kasteren of Team De Rooy. The previous edition he finished fifth behind four Russians, but now the main prize beckons.
“I won’t drive like a mad bull, but I promise you it will be floor gas again.”
“I understand that I am now a favorite,” says Van Kasteren. “But of course there are still fourteen of the same Ivecos driving around. There will be a nice battle, but I like that. I go one hundred percent for first place and I am not satisfied with anything less.”
Van Kasteren realizes that he can write history by succeeding Gerard de Rooy, who was the last Dutchman to win the Dakar Rally in 2016.
“I’m thinking carefully about how I’m going to go about it. Now that the Russians aren’t participating, it doesn’t mean I’m going to win just like that. It just means I can’t lose to them. I won’t drive like a mad bull, but I promise you know that it will be floor gas again. I like to fight.”
Due to the absence of the Russians, the cards have been shuffled differently this time. For example, teammate Vick Versteijnen may not immediately be tipped as the winner, but the Tilburger can be a dangerous outsider in Saudi Arabia.
“It will be tough, because even on the last day it can still be a good day.”
“Top 5 is my goal,” he says. “Although that will be quite difficult due to the fierce competition. At Team De Rooy we already have four contenders, while only three can reach the podium. And the rearguard is now suddenly looking at that podium with a slanted eye. Everyone drives for their own chances.”
The Dakar Rally is unpredictable, so it will be tense. “It will be tough, because even on the penultimate day it can still be an ax day. That doesn’t matter, because I am well prepared and I am looking forward to it”, concludes Vick Versteijnen.
The brothers Ben and Jan van de Laar are also eager. During the previous edition, the Fried van de Laar Racing Team from Best finished eleventh. “I therefore want to finish in the top 10 this time,” says Ben van de Laar. “Any place is good then.”
Once again, the brothers will alternate every other day as driver and navigator. “That went well last time and suits us. The bond you develop as brothers has a lot of value for us and the family. Of course it sometimes chafes, but you come out stronger. That is special.”
Kees Koolen also hopes to score highly among the Brabant trucks. Winning the Dakar Rally is too ambitious, but a good ranking in the top 10 should be possible. It is not for nothing that he became the first rally raid world champion in the truck class this year and starts with the beautiful number 500.
Finally, there is of course also Egbert Wingens from Schaijk. Finishing the desert rally will again be the highest achievable.