The chances of Team de Rooy from Son on the overall victory in the Dakar Rally 2023 have increased considerably. The Russian Kamaz trucks, which have occupied almost all podium places for years, will definitely not participate because the drivers do not want to condemn the war in Ukraine. “Kamaz is really not possible, because the team is financed with Putin money,” says Gerard de Rooy, owner of Team De Rooy.
The statement that the Russian Kamaz Master Team posted on its own website on Wednesday is clear. The drivers do not intend to sign a document from the FIA (the international motorsport federation) condemning the war in Ukraine. The Russians say they choose their motherland and consider it a political document that violates the equal conditions for athletes.
“If they had participated, there would have been a good chance that we would have stayed at home.”
Owner Gerard de Rooy of Team de Rooy has regular contact with his Russian competitors via app and email. “But I didn’t ask them about it,” he says. “I understand their side of the story and I think they do ours too. Kamaz’s participation in the Dakar Rally is really not possible, because the team is funded by the state and that is Putin’s money.”
“It went around for a while that Kamaz might still participate, but it’s better not,” says Janus Van Kasteren, driver at Team de Rooy. “Had they done that, chances are we would have stayed at home. When people are stuck at home in the cold, you can’t race against a Russian team that is paid by their government.”
“I am now suddenly a contender for the final victory and can write history.”
The absence of the Russians means a significant loss to the Dakar Rally, because with their almost military-led and highly professional organization they have been the very best for years. Last January, for example, they finished in places one to four in the Dakar Rally. Janus van Kasteren rode very hard, but couldn’t squeeze in and finished fifth.
“The competition will be more fun,” says the driver from Veldhoven. “I am now suddenly a contender for the final victory and I am going for it. There is history to be written.”
“Everyone is now smelling their chances.”
Team boss Gerard de Rooy, who won the Dakar Rally in the trucks twice, agrees with Van Kasteren. “It will be a much nicer rally with the trucks, because everyone is now smelling their chances. Even more people are going to do their best to win.”
“There will also be more risk taken as a result, so it will be more exciting. Janus van Kasteren certainly has a good chance of winning, but also, for example, the Czechs Macik and Loprais.”
Besides Janus van Kasteren, Team de Rooy consists of Vick Versteijnen and father Martin and son Mitchell Van den Brink. The Dakar Rally takes place from December 31 to January 15.