Motul’s proven technical success at the Dakar Rally is just weeks away from being put to the test once again. One of the most gruelling and challenging motorsport events in the world for off-road drivers and riders, Dakar Rally 2016 will take place from 2-16 January across Argentina and Bolivia and the entry list includes no fewer than 40 Motul-supported entries covering three categories – bikes, quads and cars.
The route that will lead the 354 vehicles from the start in Buenos Aires to Uyuni in Bolivia and then on the return journey to Rosario will be spread over 14 days of racing, covering more than 9,000 kilometres of which approximately 4,500 km will be against the clock.
As ever, the reliability and technical excellence of the lubricants used will be critical in the extremes of temperature, from the heat of the desert to the ice of the mountains, the fine ‘fesh fesh’ sand which permeates every surface, and the rigours of the terrain. There is no room for any mechanical weakness.
Motul’s technical partners will be using specially adapted lubricants and coolants from its Motorsport Line (Auto) and Factory Line (Moto), particularly from the 300V range for high performance and maximum protection over the punishing terrain, extreme climate and endurance conditions endured by the Dakar’s competitors.
Headlining the Motul line-up once again is the factory HRC Rally team which is returning to the motorcycle category as a strong contender for victory. A five-time Dakar winner in the past, the Honda HRC squad will field a 5-strong international rider line up including rapid Spaniard Joan Barreda who led much of the rally last year, and 2013 World Cross Country Rally Champion Paulo Gonçalves who finished the 2015 event in second place. There is a strong and close working relationship between Motul and HRC and the lubricant specialist’s technical support extends beyond the HRC Rally team to HRC’s MXGP and All Japan Motocross teams.
Other leading contenders in the highly competitive Bike category are the Sherco TVS Rally Factory team, the HT Rally Raid team which will be entering Husqvarna bikes, plus the huge Team Nomade Racing squad of KTMs. South African Team Rhide’s Yamahas will also be supported in the Quad class.
The 2014 Auto class-winning Xtreme Plus Polaris Racing International factory team goes into the 2016 Dakar with a strong, multi-national squad of five cars representing Brazil, Italy, Russia, China and France, while the Toyota Auto Body team – multiple T2 category champions including in 2015 – is ready to attack the rally with a vengeance with its Japanese and French entries.
The competition will be fierce, the going will be tough, and as ever men, women and machines will be tested to the limit. Never will Motul’s proven reliability and endurance capabilities be more crucial for success!
