Introduction: Ladies
During the upcoming Dakar Rally, which will be held from January 5 to 19, Team De Rooy will compete with three trucks in total.
In the run-up to the Dutch Dakar event, we would like to introduce the teams.
“Anja van Loon”
Pilot / Driver
This lady is made of good rally stuff. As the daughter of Fried van de Laar, Anja van Loon was pleasantly infected with the “Dakar virus”.
After their father’s’ death, brothers Jan and Ben took turns behind the wheel of the rally truck, but Anja also had an itch.
An extensive route was mapped out with husband and experienced Dakar rider Erik van Loon in preparation for driving the Dakar in a truck
Since 2022, several rallies have been held in a side by side (SSV) and this year two more rallies followed in a Team De Rooy truck.
Now the time has come and Anja will realize her big dream with Team De Rooy. With father Fried always visibly in mind, reaching the finish line is the big goal.
“Floor Maten”
Navigator
Having started on a dirt bike, Floor has now become a jack of all trades in rallying.
In addition to rally driving and navigation, she also excels with her organizational talents.
She was an assistant team manager and worked for the organization of the Morocco Desert Challenge.
With the skills and experience from the Lady living in Gorssel, navigation is in good, professional hands. She already excelled on the motorcycle in this important facet of off-road rallying.
During the preparation process, Floor had already been at Anja’s side for many rallies. Only during the aforementioned Morocco Desert Challenge did she have to be replaced due to her duties in the organization.
Van Loon and Maten are therefore well attuned to each other.
Floor is looking forward to the upcoming Dakar Rally with great confidence.
“Marije van Ettekoven”
Mechanic
Now that her own DDW rally team will not participate in the upcoming Dakar Rally, Marije van Ettekoven from Schaijk can join the All Ladies team.
In 2008 she rode a motorcycle in the Heroes Legend Rally. From that experience she developed into a navigator. This time, however, she will come along as a mechanic.
In a short time she had to master the technical side of the Iveco truck. During the two-week rally she will be responsible, among other things, for tire pressure and checking the engine temperature.
Although she would also like to sit behind the wheel of a rally truck, Van Ettekoven is a proven team player and it became clear during the Rallye du Maroc that she fits in perfectly with Van Loon and Maten in the cab.
The All Ladies Team De Rooy FPT is making history by being the first Dutch women’s team to participate in the Dakar Rally.
The mission is to reach the finish line. With thorough preparation, a top team and the powerful rally truck with FPT engine, all the ingredients are present to succeed beautifully here.
Of course, we will also be present at the Dutch Dakar event. There, Dutch participants in the Dakar Rally present themselves to the public. The teams will show what they have to offer on a specially constructed track.