Kamaz wins Dakar – again!

The Russians didn’t only claim pole podium position; they also dominated the leader board, occupying the first four positions. The team from Naberezhnye Chelny last took the first four places back in 2011.

For the first time in the history of the Dakar, the KAMAZ-master team won every stage of the event. They came second in all but one stage and, in eight of the stages, they came first, second and third. Each of the four men at the wheels of the blue Kamaz trucks claimed at least one stage win this year.

Sotnikov does it again

Dmitry Sotnikov – partnered with navigator Ruslan Akhmadeev and mechanic Ilgiz Akhmetzyanov – made it two in a row, winning the event overall in the number 500 truck.

“The race was challenging. It was very different from the previous two in Saudi Arabia. The Dakar 2022 began without a warming-up with the hardest special stages in the sand. The whole team dominated but the rivalry for the victory continued every day, and until the last kilometre it was impossible to relax. Even 500 meters before the finish line, we were worried, because it was important to get to the end. We have a new truck, the whole team has worked hard on the creation of this truck for the past year. We are grateful to everyone who supported us, this victory is our common result. Russia is the champion!” Sotnikov commented after his victory.

Nikolaev comes second

Eduard Nikolaev took second place in the truck standings. “Today we drove great along the track. It seems to me that it was more psychologically difficult for Dima Sotnikov, but easier because Andrey Karginov and I were moving in front of him. I know that on the last day you feel restraint, you worry that you can lose time. I had to catch up with Dima, and it was easier for me. I was driving and enjoying the stage.

“Today I started first, I had to clear the way for the rest – the tracks were narrow, there were a lot of trees and branches. After missing the Dakar last year, our crew came second. However, our team has gold, silver and bronze –this is the main thing. But there is only one champion, so there is something to strive for next year,” he said after the end of the race.

 

Shibalov occupies third spot

Anton Shibalov took the third position. “For the first time in the last two years, the final special stage went smoothly for us. Everything was fine, the only thing was a lot of branches that knocked all the rubber bands. Due to this, the doors began to open. I had to stop, quickly tie them. I am very glad that the race ended like this – we are at the finish line and winning prizes. For many participants, just to finish is already a victory, but our team showed the maximum result, taking the first four places,” he commented.

Karginov comes fourth

The crew of Andrey Karginov completed the Dakar 2022 fourth. “Dakar turned out difficult and unusual,” he pointed out. “That's why it is the Dakar … because there are no identical and simple races here. The organizers always come up with some kind of spice. This time it was easier for participants in one – there was no marathon stage. Otherwise, many would have had a different impression of the Dakar. Yesterday's stage, the day before the end of the race, was very impressive. They say here that it's such a joy to just reach the finish line, and if you are at the top of the standings, then the feeling is indescribable. It is great that such a race exists. And KAMAZ-master tries every year to maintain a high bar. Salute to the fans, we are thankful for your support. We read your comments, they give us strength every day.”

Head of team delighted

Not surprisingly, Vladimir Chagin, the head of the KAMAZ-master team, was rather chuffed with his team’s performance. “I am happy that the KAMAZ-master team managed to prove the superiority of Russian vehicles on the roads. The first four places in the truck standings are ours. We are very pleased that two brand new KAMAZ trucks of the K5 family proved themselves in this extreme competition and reliably brought victory to the finish line of the Dakar 2022 in Jeddah,” he said.

Source of national pride

The success of the KAMAZ-master team is a matter of national pride for the Russian government and its people. Even Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Sotnikov and his team. “Dear Dmitry, Ruslan and Ilgiz! I sincerely congratulate you on your triumphant win at the 2022 Dakar Rally in the trucks category,” the Russian president said in a message posted on the Kremlin’s official website.

“It is gratifying that our great racers with their new equipment managed to prepare themselves perfectly for this endurance rally, accurately calculate their strength and display their outstanding athletic qualities,” the statement reads.

“Of course, the coaches and all those who supported the team in this success deserve special gratitude. It is largely thanks to you that Russian teams took up the entire victory podium in this rally. Well done,” the message from Putin adds.

Will 2023 see the team notching up its 20^th victory? We certainly wouldn’t be surprised…

 

Final truck results: Top 10

Pos.	№	Name	Make	Time	Gap
1	500	Dmitry Sotnikov	KAMAZ	41:37:34	00:00:00
2	505	Eduard Nikolaev	KAMAZ	41:47:32	00:09:58
3	501	Anton Shibalov	KAMAZ	42:48:45	01:11:11
4	509	Andrey Karginov	KAMAZ	43:27:29	01:49:55
5	504	Janus Van Kasteren	IVECO	44:46:04	03:08:30
6	506	Martin Van Den Brink	IVECO	45:19:06	03:41:32
7	503	Martin Macik	IVECO	46:21:45	04:44:11
8	515	Victor Versteijnen	IVECO	46:22:08	04:44:34
9	522	Richard De Groot	IVECO	48:07:01	06:29:27
10	524	Mitchel Van Den Brink	IVECO	49:48:08	08:10:34