The DakarCorse alloy rims were once again the most used in the South American rally raid, which just finished
The new year started well for EVO Corse: once again the DakarCorse wheel was the most used by the teams participating in the Dakar Rally 2017. The off-road rim manufactured by the Italian company was mounted in 28 cars out of 77, which means more than 36% of the participants. This fact confirms the positive trend in recent years, whereas the teams that relied on the DakarCorse were 28% of the total in 2015 and 34% in 2016.
The Dakar 2017 has given satisfaction even in terms of final results: as many as 3 Toyota Hilux with EVO Corse rims finished the race in the top 10. Nani Roma on Hilux Overdrive ranked fourth, winning the class reserved to petrol 4×4 improved vehicles, veteran De Villiers finished behind him driving the Hilux of the Gazoo Racing Team South Africa, while young Zimbabwean Conrad Rautenbach of the Imperial Toyota Team ended up ninth, best overall ranking among rookies. Also Lithuanian Antanas Juknevicius has good reasons to celebrate: his 21st place marks the best result ever achieved by a Baltic driver at the Dakar. There is regret for Nasser Al-Attiyha, who was forced to withdrawal in the third stage while he was at the top: without the unfortunate failure of the suspension, he would probably have fought for the win, as confirmed by the results obtained in the first two special stages.
Regarding Ford cars, WRC driver Martin Prokop on F150 EVO can be happy with the final 11th place, a very good result at his second participation. Instead, Gianluca Tassi on Ford Raptor with DakarZero wheels marked a historic exploit, as he became the first paraplegic Italian driver to finish the Dakar Rally.
The cross-country rally season will resume in a month with the Baja Russia Northern Forest, the first round of the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies. EVO Corse, as the sole wheel supplier of the Overdrive Racing, will be called upon to defend the world title won by Nasser Al-Attiyha in 2016.
