Early yesterday morning the impressive fleet of vehicles was picked up in the port of Jedda and driven to the first bivouac.

Today was the day for a shakedown!

Afterwards an administrative and technical inspection. The shakedown took place on a track set out by the organization with laps of about ten kilometers. With a road book in hand, the trucks could be firmly tested. Mitchel van de Brink says it was a fast track, but after a few laps it became quite heavy due to the wrecked soil. The youngster from Harskamp drove the truck with starting number 511 for another four laps to check everything properly. Together with mechanic Jarno van der Pol and navigator Moi Torrallardona he is ready to start racing. Except for a small software problem with the turbo, everything was perfect.

Some small last changes were made. For example: Vick Versteijnen tested a larger steering wheel to his complete satisfaction. “It gives me a better feeling with the truck and therefore better control.” The pilot who drives with starting number 504 has mechanic André van der Sande and navigator Teun van Dal at his side. He is very satisfied with the last test and indicates that the Iveco Powerstar is 100% ready to race.

Results

Janus van Kasteren jr. has tested without a stabilizer on his Iveco with starting number 502. That went well and he will therefore enter the race with that configuration. He will race the Dakar with the experienced mechanic Darek Rodewald and navigator Marcel Snijders at his side. Just like Mitchel van de Brink, Van Kasteren jr. experienced some problems with the turbo. After a reset of the truck everything was just fine.

The nestor of the four pilots who appears on behalf of Team De Rooy at the start is, of course, Martin van den Brink. Also he said that everything went well during the shakedown. With mechanic Richard Mouw and navigator Erik Kofman, he drove his rally truck with starting number 506 four times over the set route. “Everything felt right, so let’s go to the prologue!” said a delighted Martin van den Brink.

The administrative and technical inspection was also passed well and so it is still a day of “hanging about” and then on December 31, the Dakar will start with the prologue of eleven kilometers. Team De Rooy is ready to race the Dakar 2023.

Photos

Photos from photographers Rallymaniacs, MMPhoto, Fotop and Ronald Loedeman 😎