IVECO puts the performance and reliability of its trucks to the test, competing across continents in the world's toughest rally races to finish with the victory in the Africa Eco Race 2018 and Top 10 placements in the Dakar 2018.
Ton Van Genugten arrives first in the last stage of the Dakar, giving IVECO its sixth win in two weeks of racing and, having overcome the difficulties encountered in some of the stages, finishes in eighth position.
Artur Ardavichus, behind the wheel of his IVECO Powerstar, gradually climbed the classification to reach the end of the rally with a fourth place.
IVECO has once again put its trucks to the test in the toughest rally races in the world, conquering the top of the podium in the Africa Eco Race 2018 and placing two vehicles in the Top 10 of the Dakar 2018. In this edition of the South American rally, IVECO – who has won the Dakar in 2012 and 2016 with Gerard de Rooy – achieved the
greatest number of stage wins.
Ton Van Genugten and
Artur Ardavichus from Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO achieved both placements in the Top 10. Dutch pilot
Van Genugten clocked
three stage wins – including the last special of the rally – and finished in
8th place.
Teammate
Artur Ardavichus delivered consistent performances throughout the rally, steadily rising in the classification to complete the Dakar 2018 with a
fourth place. This result follows his debut in Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO at the Silk Way 2017 rally, when he also won a fourth place.
Federico Villagra, having run an excellent race with two stage wins and a total of 8 podium placements, was leading the rally when he was unfortunately forced to abandon the race in the penultimate stage.
Pierre Lahutte, IVECO Brand President commented:
"IVECO's vehicles once again proved right their reputation for outstanding off-road performance in the two toughest rally races in the world: the Africa Eco Race 2018 and the Dakar 2018. These results put the spotlight on the quality and reliability of IVECO's off-road vehicles, which consistently perform at the top on the harsh trails and extreme conditions of these rallies. I would like to thank our pilots and their teams for the determination they have shown in bringing home these important achievements."
The results achieved by the IVECO Powerstars in the two rallies highlighted once again the quality and reliability that is in the DNA of the brand's off-road vehicles: the
Trakker range for the construction and quarry industry, the specialized heavy-duty off-road
ASTRA range; and the
latest arrival in the offering, the
Stralis X-WAY, designed for construction logistics and urban service missions. This vehicle combines IVECO's legendary off-road DNA with the brand's best on-road fuel efficiency and safety technologies to deliver high productivity in light off-road missions with low Total Cost of Ownership.
Team PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO took on the challenge and achieved these results also with the support of its
co-sponsors:
PETRONAS Lubricants International, as title sponsor and technical partner for the PETRONAS De Rooy IVECO Team, provided lubricants and functional fluids for rally and support vehicles. The team used PETRONAS Urania premium engine oil, formulated with the advanced additive technology, specifically designed for total engine protection, enhanced efficiency and performance.
Italian loader crane manufacturer
Fassi Gru, which is making its debut in the two rally raids. The market leader among Italian producers, Fassi Gru exports, distributes and supports its wide range of cranes across the world.
FPT Industrial, a brand of CNH Industrial that designs and manufactures on-road, off-road, marine and power generation engines as well as axles and transmissions, is the Team's technical sponsor.
Sparco designs, produces and sells automotive and motorcycle sports safety suits and footwear worldwide. The company provided motorsports racing apparel and accessories to the Team's pilots.
Stage 14 – Rally Dakar 2018
1. TON VAN GENUGTEN (IVECO) 1h39m47s
2. Martin Macik (Liaz) +11s
3. Dmitry Sotnikov (Kamaz) +3m35s
4. Eduard Nikolaev ( Kamaz) +4m17s
5. Gert Huzink (Renault) +4m55s
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7. ARTUR ARDAVICHUS (IVECO) +6m02s
Overall Standings – Rally Dakar 2018
1. Eduard Nikolaev (Kamaz) 54h57m37s
2. Siarhei Viazovich (Maz) +3h57m17s
3. Airat Mardeev (Kamaz) +5h22m34s
4. ARTUR ARDAVICHUS (IVECO) +6h38m22s
5. Martin Macik (Liaz) +7h58m45s
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8. TON VAN GENUGTEN (IVECO) +9h24m54s
