PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO displayed true grit as the team delivered an impressive performance in the 2020 Dakar Rally Raid truck category, held in the stunning and varied terrains of Saudi Arabia.
Driver Janus van Kasteren skillfully finished the 12-stage race in sixth place, crossing the finish line in 51H 00’ 33”, 4H 26’57” behind overall winner, Andrey Karginov of Kamaz – Masters.
Meanwhile teammates, Albert Llover, a former Olympic skier paralyzed from waist down finished 15th in 59H 09’ 28” with Michiel Becx in tow, timing 61H 13’ 33”.
This year’s rally was a mixture of monstrous, high-powered machinery, extraordinary skills and remote, unforgiving terrain. The desert, which accounts for 75 per cent of this year’s 7,500 kilometer route put the pilots’ driving and navigation ability to test as they drove in different types of sandy landscapes. Ultimately only 70 per cent of starters in the competition make it to the finish line.
The treacherous environment and extreme driving conditions underlines the importance of the advanced fluid technology in PETRONAS Urania lubricant and PETRONAS Tutela functional fluids to ensure engine reliability, efficiency and best performance of the team’s Powerstar and Trakker trucks.
With high spirits and motivation, the PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO team is already aiming for a stronger performance in the Dakar Rally Raid’s 43rd edition next year.
