VINK Rob NLD 21/12/1962 190 cm 105 kg

VAN WINKOOP Gerard NLD 05/04/1969 186 cm 82 kg

HOL Martien NLD 02/05/1967 173 cm 87 kg

Vehicle

MODEL	MAKE
X2222	GINAF

RANKING

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Scratch	-	41	18	14	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Stage	-	41	18	14	18	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Overall	-	72	55	45	36	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Rob Vink: "We like the Dakar with some values"

The 2007 Dakar? It was "good but too short!" laughs co-driver Gerard Van Winkoop. His team was forced to retire on the day following the rest day "because of a suspension problem", explains Rob Vink. "Completely changed suspensions this year", rejoices the driver. The truck, a Ginaf now looks to be "very good". That’s anyhow what mechanic Martien Hol hopes after spending "a lot of time making it new again".

The three men work in the same transport company managed by Rob Vink. « We were colleagues, who became friends », explains Rob Vink. “We all need each other, we all depend on each other, it is very important.” As a road racing specialist, he wasn’t really all that interested in the rally. But after going to the race finish on several occasions, he "caught the virus" and decided to start a team.

This year the Dutch trio finished a fine 6th on the Rally of Central Europe, which is a promising omen for the big South American adventure. And while the trio sets off for Argentina and Chile with plenty of ambition ”the top 10”, says Rob – they are not forgetting the objective that really motivates them. As it was two years ago, the team supports the « Racing Against Cancer » association, which organises weekends and vacations for sick children, who don’t often have the chance to travel. In addition to a portion of the merchandise proceeds and sponsorship, the team will donate one euro for each kilometre they complete. In 2007, they donated a total of €17, 000.

Dakar start photos on line: www.maindruphoto.com

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