“No space for a mistake!”
Ironically, it was on the third step of the 2010 podium that Marcel Van Vliet thought about ending his career. A call from the Veka team finally convinced Van Vliet to return, behind the wheel of a MAN. And a successful edition it was for the Dutchman who eventually finished 7th, two positions behind his team mate Franz Echter, best of the non-Kamaz drivers. Alongside Serge Bruynkens and Peter Bell, the challenge is to enter the Top 5 and eventually consider a podium for him or his team mates' MAN trucks.
“After the podium in 2010, I promised I would quit. Now I hope to quit after winning. Last year we were quite happy with our team result (Echter 5th and Van Vliet 7th). The first week I suffered neck problems and we had to slow our pace down. But I'm fine now. We learned a lot from the last Dakar and made quite a few modifications on the truck for a better overall performance. The competition should be great and the speeds are getting higher and higher. I'm looking forward to that. There's no space for a mistake. I hope for a Top 5 again but we also hope to compete for a podium spot. Last year we didn't have one flat tyre and that's the best thing you can do. Basically we have to drive at 99% instead of 101%.
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