Pilot Martin Macik Jr., navigator Frantisek Tomasek, and mechanic David Svanda secured third place in the prologue. Covering a 29 km route, their truck, nicknamed Benny, tackled the rough terrain, gravel, and dense shrubbery with confidence. The crew remains optimistic and excited for the official start of the rally.

Tough Terrain Was No Match for Benny

Since the prologue route was set around Bisha, the terrain was familiar to most competitors from private test sessions, leaving little room for surprises.

“It was rough, especially since a ton of other machines hit the track before the trucks. We pushed at the right pace, and Benny handled the terrain without a hitch – even though we had to plow through some bushes. We’re happy with third place and looking forward to tomorrow’s first stage. We’ll see how much dust we have to deal with,” said Martin Macik Jr.

Prologue Served as a Warm-Up for the Navigator

Despite its short length, the prologue turned out to be quite a challenge in terms of navigation, something many might not have expected. However, Frantisek Tomasek was more than ready, drawing on his extensive Dakar experience.

“I think I know what to expect from the organizers, so I knew better than to underestimate even the prologue from a navigation standpoint. We hit every waypoint perfectly, and I hope we can keep this precision through the race stages,” summed up Tomasek.

First Stage Promises a Mix of Terrains

Tomorrow’s 413 km stage will throw a varied mix of surfaces at the competitors. While the first fast-paced kilometers will again take place around Bisha, the route will include everything from sand to rocky sections. The second half of the stage is expected to feature tricky navigation challenges, making seamless teamwork between the driver, navigator, and mechanic crucial for success.