Ales Loprais opens a new chapter in his Dakar Rally career. The Czech driver is moving on from the Praga V4S DKR, which secured him a remarkable second place in this year’s legendary race, to the cockpit of an Iveco Powerstar. But the change is not limited to his car. Loprais’ crew is also undergoing a strategic transformation.

For the past five seasons, Loprais has relied on his beloved Praga, affectionately dubbed “Lady.” He had hoped to enter another season with this truck, but unforeseen circumstances required significant changes.

“We would need to make extensive modifications to the truck according to new regulations, including reducing its weight. More important, in order to be at the top, we would have to completely overhaul the fuel injection system from a pump-jet to common rail, which most of our rivals use. That would take at least three to four years of expensive development, ideally with factory support,” Loprais explains. “While that would be interesting, at this point in my career, I don’t want to spend my best racing years experimenting at Dakar instead of using my experience to achieve the results I’ve dreamed of,” he added.

This decision allowed Loprais and his trusted “Lady” to make appearances at multiple events across the Czech Republic this year, which was previously impossible. The Czech driver remains enthusiastic about the Praga V4S DKR, describing it as a powerful truck. Moreover, he hopes to one day put it to the test once again, perhaps during the Marrakesh Challenge or the Africa Eco Race.

“I would like to thank the Praga car company for several years of generous support and wonderful mutual relations, which do not change even now when we are each going in different directions. I wish them, with all my heart, that their Praga Bohema hypercar succeeds in the world of supercars,” he said. Loprais also expressed gratitude to Tatra, with which he had discussed potential collaboration but had not reached an agreement.

Instead, a compelling offer emerged from Gerard de Rooy’s crew, which Loprais swiftly embraced. Built at De Rooy’s facilities in Son, Netherlands, the new Iveco Powerstar truck is tailored for Loprais, with the company’s crew also managing all race-time maintenance, ensuring a top-tier performance.

Under the InstaTrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT banner, 44-year-old Ales Loprais will pilot the Iveco Powerstar at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia this January, followed closely by races in Africa just a month later. In early October, Loprais successfully tested the new truck in Africa, which then returned to De Rooy’s workshop for final adjustments.

During the African tests, InstaTrade Loprais Team gathered crucial data to fine-tune their strategy. This experience also strengthened bonds within the newly formed crew, as Loprais welcomed Czech navigator David Kripal and Dutch mechanic Bernard der Kinderen, enhancing their collaboration.

“After this year’s Dakar, I seriously considered taking a break from racing to focus on other activities. But Aleš made me an offer, and it was one of the few options related to Dakar that still appealed to me,” Kripal noted. This would mark a new test and uncharted territory for the Czech navigator, as his prior off-road experience hardly compares to Dakar’s rigorous conditions.

“It doesn’t scare me at all. On the contrary, I’m excited. With a car, I already knew what to expect and what would be enough, but I have no idea what to expect from the truck so I have to step out of my comfort zone and really work hard on endurance, strengthening my core, back, and neck. I’m approaching my preparations as if it were my first Dakar. I think my physical and mental preparation is now on a completely different level compared to the past few years,” he explained.

The 42-year-old Czech navigator is eagerly anticipating the upcoming tests, viewing them as a critical opportunity to deepen his technical expertise and increase his value to the team during the rally. He is committed to ensuring a smooth partnership with the mechanic, striving to be fully prepared for any scenario that may arise and to provide effective support when needed. Aware of Loprais’s determination to achieve strong results, Kripal recognizes the importance of every second and the inevitable pressure that comes with it. He sees this rally as a challenge and is ready to give his utmost to help the crew succeed.

As part of the new crew line-up, Bernard der Kinderen, winner of the 2007 Dakar, will replace Jiri Stross as an onboard mechanic. Loprais previously worked with the experienced Dutchman during the 2015 and 2016 Dakar Rallies when he first piloted De Rooy’s truck in Morocco and South America.

Meanwhile, Loprais’s technical team, responsible for preparing and maintaining his rally trucks, will undertake an intensive autumn schedule restoring the iconic Tatra Puma and a fully upgraded Tatra 815 4×4 HAS. These vintage machines are set to compete at the Dakar Classic, a race running in tandem with the main event in Saudi Arabia.

Despite a packed schedule this autumn and a Dakar Rally season full of new challenges, one thing that remains constant about Ales Loprais is his ambition. For years, his determination to be the best has never wavered, and he continues to channel every effort toward that goal. As Loprais prepares for the first tests in the Netherlands, this commitment underpins his every move, driving him to strive for excellence on the rally stage.

Join InstaForex in supporting Ales Loprais and his crew on this exciting journey to victory at the Dakar Rally.  We are confident in their potential and look forward to achieving great success together!

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