IN THIS YEAR’S DAKAR RALLY, WHICH IS CONSIDERED THE ULTIMATE TEST FOR MAN AND MACHINE, THE VÖLKEL RALLY TEAM WAS ABLE TO IMPRESS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW WITH ITS TWO MERCEDES-BENZ SERVICE TRUCKS.
The two so-called “Fast-Assistant Trucks” Mercedes-Benz NG 2636 6×6 were supporting the Völkel team as a rolling workshop. Both Mercedes-Benz trucks were once on the road together with the legendary winning car of the 1983 Dakar Rally, a Mercedes 280GE (then driver: Jacky Ickx, Claude Brasseur). The two trucks were originally delivered to the Mitsubishi Dakar Team in 1986 and 1987.
From sleeping bags to workbenches, the two classics had everything on board to provide the rally team with the best possible supplies, including tools and replacement parts.
Both service trucks have a V10 engine with a displacement of 18.5 liters and 360 hp, enabling them to reach maximum speeds of 128 km/h and 80 km/h on sand. With their 6×6 all-wheel drive, the trucks are perfectly equipped for the challenges of the world’s toughest rallye.
The NG with number #917 was run by driver Alexander Schmidt, navigator Jan Dippel and photographer Nils Schmidt. The truck with the number #918 was driven by Robert Thiele, navigated by Markus Klesse and Daniel Schatz was on board as a racing mechanic.
The team’s objective was to be placed in the top 10, and after over 5,000 kilometers in the race and 12 stages, the VÖLKEL RALLY crew is happy about its 7th place. Also thanks to the support of the two Mercedes-Benz Truck legends.
