The driver Martin Macik, navigator Frantisek Tomasek, and onboard mechanic David Svanda in Charles, a truck built in Sedlcany, won a great 2nd position in the last stage of the 2022 Dakar Rally. After a thrilling final ride, the Big Shock! Racing finished the rally in 7th place. They managed to earn two podiums during this year’s legendary Dakar. But the end of Dakar does not mean the end of racing for their yellow truck. They will continue in March in Abu Dhabi, where the Big Shock! Racing team will be collecting more points in the World Cup.
We’re at the finish line, and we’re the second fastest!
The Big Shock! Racing crew took off into the last stage from 4th position and 8th place in the overall rankings (to which they moved to after a 4-minute penalty for speeding in the limited-speed zone). Thanks to his experience from ten Dakar Rallies, Martin Macik knew it is possible to lose more than gain in the last stage. However, they still set a fast pace in the last stage and drove with maximum commitment, but also with common sense. And the result was the best position this year – a wonderful 2nd place.
“We are at the finish of the Dakar, and we have second place in the last stage. And the second podium this year. It’s been a tough last 160 kilometres through broken riverbeds. The whole Dakar this year has been tough. But we made it through, and we’re safe at the finish. I would like to thank the guys in the crew, and all the fans who have stood by us through thick and thin. A big thanks goes also to our families, to all the people on the team, to the mechanics for how hard they worked and what a great job they did, to my dad, to Martin Pabisek, to Martin Soltys’ crew, to our friends. And, also, to all our great sponsors and partners, whom we appreciate very much,” Martin Macik said.
Obsessed with Dakar
What is both beautiful and scary at the same time about the Dakar is that one never knows what will happen in the next minute. That is why so many fans follow the rally. It is also the reason why the drivers keep coming back despite the hardships they experienced and to outdo their rivals and themselves. That is the Dakar Rally. That is why the Big Shock! Racing team sees it from a long-term perspective, already planning the next race. “We went all out, and it was worth it. Next time, we are going to do it again. We know what to work on. We are already planning for the next year, and we want to build new trucks within MM Technology. Plus, the supply of stories for the ‘Obsessed with Dakar’ is massive now, I don’t think we’ll have time to tell the fans everything,” Martin Macik laughed.
The 2022 Dakar is over, but the ride continues
It is also good news that the Italtrans Racing and Project 2030’s trucks, built by Martin Macik, Sr.’s team in Sedlcany, successfully crossed the finish line of this year’s Dakar. Unfortunately, after two unfinished stages and some injuries, the driver Martin Soltys, navigator Roman Krejci, and mechanic Jakub Jirinec could not experience the feeling at the finish this year. But, their crew also did a good job on the track and fought fiercely in the first half of the rally. For the Big Shock! Racing, this year’s Dakar was also the start of the 2022 World Rally-Raid Championship, which continues in March with the race in Abu Dhabi. The team manager, Martin Pabiska, has already arranged for some of the equipment to be sent directly to Dubai. “We believe that thanks to the year-long series of races, we will be able to fine-tune our shape for the next Dakar,” Martin Macik concluded.
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