When the final stage of the Dakar was completed on Sunday, 15 January, Boss Machinery Team De Rooy IVECO driver Janus Van Kasteren was crowned the 2023 champion, finishing over 1 hour, 14 minutes clear of his closest rival. Teammates Martin and Mitchel Van Den Brink finished third and fourth in other De Rooy-run trucks. 

While the rock, sand and mud surface of the Dakar, coupled with its steep inclines and descents, are a far cry from the challenges faced every day by Europe’s haulage operators, Goodyear employs the same approach to what is arguably motorsport’s toughest event. Tyres require a design to meet the demands of the conditions in order to extract maximum efficiency, reliability and performance. 

To prepare for this year’s Dakar, Goodyear’s engineers worked side-by-side with Team De Rooy in the team’s test in Morocco three months ago. The test included a simulated version of Dakar, using the Sahara desert to replicate typical features of the Saudi Arabian landscape. The test served to evaluate the Goodyear OFFROAD tyres, which feature a dedicated off-road compound, deep non-skid tread and improved resistance to cuts, making them an ideal choice for the unpredictable Dakar conditions. 

The five days in Morocco also served another purpose; to trial a new Tire Pressure Monitoring System. This on-board technology features a sensor placed within the tyre to alert the driver of anomalies in tire pressure through a display mounted on the truck’s dashboard. On rocky terrain and tough desert surfaces, advance warning regarding tyre temperature and pressure can save teams valuable time in rectification. 

Back on the roads of Europe, identical technology helps saving time, increases efficiency and improves the safety of fleet operations. For example, the Goodyear TPMS technology streamlines the process of checking tyre health, cutting the number of hours a fleet spends on routine checks. An underinflation warning could also prevent a tyre causing further damage or negatively affect fuel efficiency.

Maciej Szymański, Marketing Director Commercial Europe, Goodyear: “Congratulations to Team De Rooy for winning what is arguably one of the motorsport’s toughest challenges. We have supported them with tyres and tyre management solutions several times before, but this year we are particularly proud of introducing TPMS to their four IVECO trucks. Combining our reliable tyres with tire management solutions was once again driving results - this time for Team De Rooy in the Dakar Rally.”

Gerard De Rooy, team owner, Team De Rooy: "Once again, Goodyear OFFROAD tires supported our team in achieving the best possible results in extremely difficult and unpredictable conditions. This year we were able not only to provide great durability and traction, but also to monitor the tire pressure on an ongoing basis thanks to the installed TPMS from Goodyear. This made it easier for us to adapt our strategy to the road conditions and performance of the tyres. It also helped us keep track of our tyre temperature and pressure levels and react quickly and in real time to any challenges that could result in extended downtime."

As the only point of contact between the truck and the varied surfaces of the Saudi desert, choosing the right tyres is a crucial part of a team’s preparation. As such, Team De Rooy chose Goodyear OFFROAD tyres for the challenge, and Goodyear’s engineers worked closely with the team through the pre-event preparation in order to make sure they were ready for any eventuality. 

Janus Van Kasteren finished over 1 hour, 14 minutes ahead of his closest rival at the end of the rally, driving the No. 502 Boss Machinery Team De Rooy IVECO, supported by Darek Rodewald and Marcel Snijders. His teammates Martin and Mitchel Van Den Brink finished third and fourth, respectively. 

It marks another successful Dakar for Goodyear in the Truck category, after finishing first, second and third in last year’s event with another team. The Goodyear OFFROAD tyres that have proven so successful in these tough conditions over recent years are the same specification as those available for fleet operators across Europe. It is particularly designed for low heat generation and high speeds.

Maciej Szymański, Marketing Director Commercial Europe, Goodyear: “Congratulations to Team De Rooy for winning what is arguably one of the motorsport’s toughest challenges. We are proud that our tyres together with an advanced tyre pressure and temperature monitoring system were important and reliable enablers that helped to drive results and to win this legendary rally. The Goodyear OFFROAD tyres are capable of tackling all terrains even under high speed and in difficult conditions, so another victory in the Dakar once again underlines this capability.”

Supporting Team De Rooy at the 2023 Dakar Rally is another example of Goodyear's commitment to truck motorsport. In 2022, the company extended its long-standing partnership and became the official title sponsor of the top truck racing class - Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC).