“I promised my dad that I would do it in a truck and in a women’s team”

A 100% Dutch and above all 100% female crew is on the starting line! Impressive 14th for her first Dakar as a T3 driver last year, Anja Van Loon took up the challenge of completing the trucks race. She was able to benefit from the advice of her partner Eryk, who participated in thirteen Dakar, but also from the young and talented Mitchel van den Brink, who trained her in the dunes. Her Rallye du Maroc result (5th) shows that she’s already competitive. Marije van Ettekoven, who has already participated twice in trucks, will be her co-driver and will share her experience with her. Floor Maten will complete the team for her first appearance as a competitor, but she knows the race since she was part of the HT Rally Raid staff. Girl power is strong in the Ladies Team De Rooy FPT!

A.V.L.: “I learned a lot last year and we had a very good race for my first participation as a competitor. I’ve experienced the Dakar four times in South America with my dad and brother driving the service truck, but this will be my very first time as a truck competitor. I promised my dad to do it one day, and with a female team. The time has come! Marije and Floor already know the Dakar and what it takes. I I’ve done two rallies in a truck in Morocco to prepare the race, and it was very nice. We will try to finish the Dakar, that will be the main goal. Then, it would be good to be close of the top-10.”