Dakar 2012 to start soon. A Preview.

Ales Loprais was able to finally forget about his 10th stage retirement at the 2011 Dakar Rally when he went to Russia later the same year and won the Silk Way Rally, held in Kamaz’s own backyard. As well as proving his Tatra truck can match the Kamaz machines, the Czech driver also has a family pedigree at the Dakar that simply must be respected. Karel Loprais, a multiple Dakar champion, is Ales’ uncle. Ales has a long way to go before he can match his achievements but he is determined to stay in the hunt up right up until the finish. This will mean a relaxed 32nd birthday for Ales on the ninth stage. To fully focus on a successful Dakar, Ales has even quit his other passion of downhill skiing. Sharing the Tatra with Ales will be mechanic Petr Almasi and navigator Ernst Michal. The Tatra truck for the 2012 Dakar is said to be lighter, more aerodynamic and more reliable than the model that raced last year.

http://loprais.cz/loprais/index.php?obsah=clanky

Loprais won’t be the only Tatra. Not less than four other Tatras will compete: