All the Dakar information.
Renault Trucks and the Dakar formula form an extensive love story... and adventure! While preparing for the first edition in 1979, this rally destined from Paris to Dakar, in Africa - a continent where Renault has been firmly established for many years – the Saviem truck (subsidiary of Renault) decides to enroll in this rather fierce challenge. The crew, consisting of Two French pilots and a radio journalist, will aboard the SM8 truck, which has already crossed the Sahara Desert from East to West. In 1980, the famous Renault Goélette R2087, transformed for the Dakar Rally, makes its grand entrance. The SM8 will again present itself on the African terrain in 1981, later joined by the Saviem SG (in 1984) and the TRM4000, a Renault B90 4x4 (which will participate in four Dakar rallies), starting in 1986... not forgetting, of course, the integration of the Kerax 4x4 and 6x6 in 2000. This range of vehicles, originally designed for construction use in severe conditions, has proven itself in the heart of the Dakar adventure: in 2010, it is still the undisputed reference for the support teams.
While Renault Trucks has always been powerfully presented in the Dakar as a competitor in the legendary rally, it was mainly used as an assistance truck... and even as a canteen truck! This was certainly the case in 1980, when a Renault truck attracted hundreds of hungry competitors to the bivouac on a daily basis. Nearly 30 years later, in 2007, history repeats itself. Renault Trucks, responsible for the meal logistics, employs the Premium and temperature controlled Kerax trucks to ensure a supply of fresh produce. Since 2005, as the official supplier for the Dakar, Renault Trucks has contributed to the success of this great adventure, with its Kerax sweeper cars, the opening of new routes and its body shops.
Renault Trucks has an important role in major reparations, as carriers, engineers and mechanics, everything and everyone suffer in Dakar! The rally’s constant tricky conditions – sand storms, dune crossings, rocky and slippery roads, etc. - cause the inevitable problems and mechanical failures for all vehicles. Every day, the automobiles in the race must be assisted, tuned, and cared for to avoid abandonment by the unfortunate drivers. Renault has always been a faithful partner for assistance. Renault Truck mechanics operate every step of the way, especially at the rest stops where they refurbish all the car technicalities. They work by day on the tracks and by night in the bivouac (which resembles a massive ad hoc body shop). In 2005, for example, in the stage from Agadir to Morocco, the car mechanics had to replaced in the middle of the night: a spring plate, a lateral window, unit pumps, a radiator, an exhaust brakes a steering wheel... besides performing the usual check-ups. Enough to occupy an entire night before leaving for more long days drive and even more late nights!
Race after race, Renault Trucks continues to commit to the Dakar, as a competitor, supplier or assistant... except in the year 2008. The Dakar rally, which was to celebrate its thirtieth edition at this time, was forced to cancel the race due to threats from Islamist attacks in Mauritania. The organizers then reflecting on changing continents... decided on South America, focusing on Argentina and Chile. The long-standing spirit of adventure is preserved by a track left along a variety of terrains: impressive dunes, deserts, beautiful trails and dried-up lakes.
For the first South American occurrence of the Dakar Rally, Renault Trucks is still just as present and effective. In 2009, no fewer than 22 Kerax trucks initiate the prestigious race: 7 are listed as rally assistance, and 10 as pure assistance in addition to the organizer’s 5 Renault Kerax. After months of preparation, they reach Le Havre (France) for the final technical verifications in late November, 2008. With their 450 hp and full of spare parts, they create a huge sensation in the French population, like the Sherpa Renault Trucks Adventure, which is unveiled to the public at this time. It is a unique and exclusive vehicle including a military chassis and a body specially designed by the Renault Trucks design team. The Sherpa will engage in the Dakar rally as a media vehicle... and yet with its exceptional passing skills (downhill slopes of 50%, an obstacles of up to one meter in height...), it could easily be a part of the competition!
January 3rd, 2009. The start of the 31st edition is arranged: it is the beginning of 9,574 km of tracks and roads from Buenos Aires... to Buenos Aires! On January 9th, the competitors cross the Andes Mountains and enter Chile. Passing several times over 3,000 meters in altitude, they observe the Aconcagua, the highest point of the Andes with its 6,959 meters. Arriving to Valparaiso in the evening, they have the following day "off" to catch their breath and rest, but mostly to adjust and check-up on the vehicles. While the Kerax, renowned for its robustness and exceptional expediting qualities, will soon have much to do with the Dakar rally challengers. Renault’s mission is to fully assist the brand named trucks which are enrolled in the rally. To ensure the correct diagnosis and constant assistance on all reparations, three people are always on board the vehicle, as well an abundant and important number of spare parts. The truck contains, in effect, over 1,000 line items (gearboxes, drum brakes, springs, radiators, for the largest parts, etc...). And when a part is not available (like a windshield for example), the drivers can rely on the Renault Trucks network in Argentina and Chile to supply them in the shortest amount of time among dealers in the area.
Everywhere they go, the Kerax create an amazing sensation. The numerous spectators along the raid’s roads discover the trucks with great astonishment... and only have one wish: to be photographed with them! Throughout the course, from Patagonia through Valparaiso or even the Atacama Desert, these trucks will raise the same enthusiasm. Precisely, this is the stage of the Atacama Desert and its dunes – the highest in the world! – This will be the most impressive part of the Dakar Rally in altitude, its difficult course amidst the slippery gravel-filled tracks as well as intense heat waves. On January 14th, after a passage in the Andes at 4,700 meters in altitude, there are 3 days left for the participants to reach Fiambala, in the Northwest of Argentina to Buenos Aires.
On January 17th, at last, the finish line is reached after thousands of miles of a grueling race. The Renault Trucks participants (truck category) utter a sigh of relief and know that they owe it to the assistance and availability of the Kerax, which are recognized by all. Christophe Lamert, enlisted with his Kerax on the Dessoude Team readily acknowledges the hard work: “Whether you are racing or assisting, the service provided by Renault Trucks is essential. Without the Kerax assistance, we may not have arrived!” As for the technical assistance trucks in the race, this "service" is rather normal, however: “Our constant concern is customer satisfaction. We have introduced the tours to customers. We were able to provide the vital missing part any time of day or night.” This was certainly the case in the game when a shock absorber was replaced at three o'clock in the morning!
On January 17th, at last, the finish line is reached after thousands of miles of a grueling race. The Renault Trucks participants (truck category) utter a sigh of relief and know that they owe it to the assistance and availability of the Kerax, which are recognized by all. Christophe Lamert, enlisted with his Kerax on the Dessoude Team readily acknowledges the hard work: “Whether you are racing or assisting, the service provided by Renault Trucks is essential. Without the Kerax assistance, we may not have arrived!” As for the technical assistance trucks in the race, this "service" is rather normal, however: “Our constant concern is customer satisfaction. We have introduced the tours to customers. We were able to provide the vital missing part any time of day or night.” This was certainly the case in the game when a shock absorber was replaced at three o'clock in the morning!
