Iveco wins Dakar Rally
Gerard De Rooy pilots Iveco Powerstar to victory in ArgentinaIveco has broken Kamaz's domination of the gruelling Dakar Rally, with Dutch competitor Gerard De Rooy triumphing in his Powerstar after the epic 9000 kilometre event was concluded in Rosario, Argentina, on January 16.
De Rooy finished one hour and 10 minutes ahead of the Kamaz 4326 of Russian campaigner – and defending champion – Airat Mardeev, who in turn finished ahead of another Iveco Powerstar, this time piloted by Argentinian Federico Villagra.
De Rooy, who also won the Dakar in 2012, claimed three stage wins and several more podium finishes on his way to winning this year's event.
A number of Iveco Powerstar and Trakker models took part in this year's Dakar Rally, with four finishing in the top 10.
The trucks were powered by Iveco's Cursor 13 engine, the units prepared by Fiat Power Train and producing over 900hp.
Iveco Brand President, Pierre Lahutte, praised the drivers who contested the event with its products.
"Iveco put the excellent reliability of its trucks on the trails of the Dakar rally, enabling the team's outstanding pilots to give their best performance in the race," he said.
"I would like to thank Gerard De Rooy, Federico Villagra, Anton Van Genugten, Pep Vila and Ales Loprais and their remarkable teams for the determination and drive they have shown."
The Powerstar nameplate has its origins in Australia, with Iveco's road-going trucks of the same name having been developed here.
Iveco Australia Marketing Manager, Darren Swenson, said the lessons learned in motorsport assisted the company in honing and enhance its product offerings in consumer markets.
"Participation in the Dakar rally confirms the reliability of Iveco trucks and the brand's ongoing commitment to product research, development and testing in some of the world's most inhospitable and competitive environments," he said.
"Many common features of modern vehicles can trace their conception to motorsports of various kinds.
"Buyers of Iveco trucks in Australia should be buoyed in the knowledge that our vehicles are making an impact on one of the world's toughest proving grounds."
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