On 5.1.2024, the most famous and most watched Dakar Rally 2024 starts in Saudi Arabia. Nearly 780 participants divided into 8 categories (by vehicle) are waiting for 5000 kilometres divided between the 12 stages of the 46th Rally Dakar edition. The most demanding will be a novelty, namely a 48-hour stage that will challenge both crews and machinery. From the start, riders have until 16:00 to reach one of the 8 bivouacs where they can recharge their batteries, repair any damage and continue the next day from 07:00. The prologue of the competition starts in AIUIa, continues through Shubaytah and leads to Yanbu where the whole event ends on the 19th of January.
One of the participants is the Instaforex Loprais Praga Team consisting of Aleš Loprais, Jaroslav Valtr Jr. and Jiří Stross occupying the deck of the special Praga V4S DKR. Successors of the legendary Karel Loprais from the 1980s and 1990s, who won the famous endurance rally six times and earned the nickname "Monsieur Dakar" among his colleagues and competitors. He passed his passion on to his nephew Aleš Loprais, who became one of the best riders.
Driving since 2006, he has been at the top of the Dakar Rally and Silk Way Rally championships. Energized by his own range of energy drinks and the desire to win, he is also fighting for first place in this year's Rally Dakar 2024.
Praga V4S DKR is powered by an Iveco engine with an output of just under 1000 horsepower. Performance is converted to the wheels using a specially tuned automatic transmission and precisely adjusted suspension and braking system. Factory support from the Praga company is also a matter of course, where we also supply a number of fuel, intake or braking equipment.
We are a proud part of this legendary team through professional crew equipment. In the demanding Dakar conditions, safety is paramount and that is why we equipped the crew with Sparco Competition with updated FIA 8856-2018 homologation. The equipment also includes Sparco Slalom and OMP One-S shoes, and Sparco Futura and OMP One Evo gloves. Nomex underwear, which is provided by us from OMP, specifically OMP First and OMP Technica or MOMO Comfort Tech is also a necessity for the rally. The advantage of these products is sufficient breathability and maximum protection of the body against any danger.
The professional Stilo WRC DES Piuma, Stilo WRC Des Rally or WRC Venti Carbon are also a matter of course. Simpson Hybrid takes care of protecting the spine of the crew.
We believe that the Loprais team will experience a problem-free course of the entire Dakar Rally 2024 and lead Prague to a victorious end. We will keep our fingers crossed for them and look forward to further shared experiences.
