Van Loon quattro Ready for Dakar 2025 Start

[source: Van Loon Racing]

Tomorrow the Dakar Rally starts in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. The past few days have been all about inspection and testing. For Erik van Loon and Hein Verschuuren that was in the Audi quattro, Anja van Loon, Jan and Ben van de Laar did that with the Iveco Powerstar. The vehicles felt good and both teams are ready for the start.

“We are all set for it,” says Anja. “Our first test is over, it was a nice test course of about 30 kilometers where we could get used to it. So for me that was also the first time I didn’t get behind the wheel and that wasn’t too bad for me. We have driven in turn and then you also see that we have three completely different driving styles, but at the same time you feel the trust in each other. This will be three beautiful weeks!”

The Iveco Powerstar also felt familiar to Jan. “It immediately felt familiar, the Iveco was fine-tated and fits all our driving styles. Tomorrow the prologue will take place, which determines the starting order. We are confident to embark on this adventure together in the coming weeks.”

Last night were the technical and administrative inspections of the Iveco. “The truck is completely approved,” Ben said. “The technicians are now putting the finishing touches on the i. The setup and settings were good and it was also nice to be behind the wheel. The shakedown ensured that we could gain confidence in the car. So we are confident into the game.”

This also applies to Erik and Hein. “Our test went great, the car is really great. We are here with four quattros and those are the only four H4 cars, so we already know that we have to open every day. But we’re going for it!”

The Dakar Rally starts on Friday with a prologue, which no longer counts for the standings and is used to determine the starting order of the first stage. For the Dakar participants this is 29 kilometers long, the prologue of the Classic is slightly longer at 59 kilometers. It is a diverse trial on wide sand and gravel paths with some technical sections. Starting tomorrow, the Dakar Rally can be followed live at https://www.dakar.live.worldrallyraidchampionship.com/en/car/.