Three trucks are more than two. Martin Šoltys also returns to Buggyra
Tatra Buggyra ZM Racing team will enter a record number of three cars in truck category of Dakar Rally. It means that next to Jaroslav Valtr, another returnee is signing up: Martin Šoltys will once again drive Tatra after one-year break.
Buggyra considered nomination of its third pilot until the last possible moment. It will be a logistically demanding event, during which a large number of spare parts will also be needed.
„Martin is very experienced Dakar pilot. He learned to recognize what is good and what is bad in racing. We agreed on three-year project. Martin will drive the proven Tatra 815 truck that we built and on which we will test some new components for cars starting at Dakar 2024. Of course, Martin will start there with a new truck. On it, we will apply a lot of revolutionary things and systems to the traditional Tatra chassis. We believe it will be a successful car for new era. We also remember that from 2025 it will be mandatory to use hybrid drive, and we are at an advanced stage of development," said team principal Martin Koloc.
Collaboration between Buggyra and Martin Šoltys has been going on since spring. „Thank you for being a part of the Buggyra team again. I was given the opportunity to take part in the construction of a new special that adheres to the proven Tatra draft. To save weight, we went back to the cab from Tatra 815, which is lighter compared to Phoenix. We will have our Gyrtech engine with an Allison automatic transmission. Thanks to fact that I have been involved in construction of this car from beginning, I know it down to the last screw. This could help us solve any technical problems well during Dakar," said Šoltys. He will race again with co-driver Roman Krejčí. David Hoffmann will complete the crew as an on-board mechanic.
"We definitely have to reach our ambitions to survive till the end of rally," added the experienced driver laconically.
So now Buggyra Racing team revealed its complete line-up before approaching Dakar. „I think our team has fantastic members and works well. By that I mean competitors, technicians and logistics. I'm really looking forward to start of the competition. In preparation, we really did our best for success throughout the year. Now there is nothing left but to enjoy Dakar Rally," wishes Koloc.
