"This Dakar looks to be more difficult and challenging. I'm looking forward to it after a whole year of waiting". Martin Prokop is eager to contest his eighth Dakar, and he's strongly motivated to secure his best finish in the world's most famous rally raid race. The Czech driver, together with his co-driver Viktor Chytka, wants to bounce back after a complicated 2022 edition, fighting again for the top 10 and trying to equal or even improve the sixth place secured in 2019.
To do so, Martin and his Orlen Benzina Team upgraded the #210 Ford Raptor RS Cross Country on some technical aspects, to cope better with the tough Saudi Arabian deserts. The eight position clinched at last October's Morocco Rally gave Martin confidence about the speed of his car, while for this extreme challenge he can again rely on Racing Force Group products like OMP racewear, Bell helmets and the Zeronoise communication system.
Let's discover what he told us just a couple of days before kicking off the 2023 adventure.
Martin, how did your preparation proceed during the last months?
"We had a really good race in Morocco, where we tested a new aerodynamic package for our car, and then we had one more development test focused on the dampers. Everything happened during the autumn period. We will use the shakedown before the Dakar begins as a whole day of testing. I also worked on my physical shape as usual, mostly in the gym but in addition I ran my first marathon a few weeks ago. It was a gift for my 40th birthday!".
What is necessary to be competitive in such a demanding race? And what did the experience teach you in these years?
"Many things have to work together. Team, car and crew must be perfectly prepared, but you also need a good portion of luck and limiting bad days at the minimum. If you maintain a good average rhythm, you can aim for the top 10".
How did the Dakar change moving from South America to Saudi Arabia?
"Of course the challenge remains the same, as we are still talking about the longest and most difficult motorsport event on the planet. By the way, the route characteristics are different: in Saudi Arabia the race has a much faster pace and the driving style has to be adapted accordingly".
In 2019 you finished sixth: do you think you can repeat, or maybe improve, that result?
"We always push ourselves to perform better and to improve our results. I would not spend time, money and energy if I didn't feel that it's possible".
Tell us more about the Ford Raptor RS Cross Country: how did you develop it and what are its strengths?
"The car has been developed in the Czech Republic by our privateer team. We focused on reliability, especially because we have no other vehicle as support crew during the race. Regarding the engine, we still use the naturally-aspirated 5.0 V8 taken from the Ford Mustang".
You use several Racing Force Group products, such as OMP suits, gloves, boots and underwear, Bell helmets and the Zeronoise communication system. What are the features you prefer?
"We spend hours and hours inside the car for many days in a row, so I want comfortable equipment with the highest wearability. I have also to underline helmets and audio systems that have improved significantly during the last years, and this is crucial considering the importance of communicating into the car with my co-driver during the Dakar".
Do you think the Dakar environment represents a good test bench for the racewear comfort?
"For sure. We face conditions that are ideal for testing and evolve all the safety gear. No competition is more extreme than the Dakar for evaluating the racewear".