“Be a part of a ‘back to roots’ Dakar!”
CREW FACTS
J.U.
- The Ulrich family has become in the last decades a motorsports family. Juraj started competing in cross-country events some 25 years ago. His wife shared his passion as his co-driver in all sorts of rallies. And now his daughter took on the same passion but on a quad.
- After competing and successfully winning races in the central part of Europe (Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic), the driver from Bratislava went on to participate in races like the Silk Way Rally or the Budapest-Bamako Challenge in the pure spirit of the first African Dakar rallies.
- And indeed, the Dakar has always been in the back of his mind. When the Classic race was launched in 2021, he had to be part of it.
- After two appearances in 2022 and 2023 (16th) the 50-year-old who also enjoys riding his rally motorbike through the deserts of northern Africa, returns with his long-time partner Lubos Schwarzbacher. The gentlemen drivers will be in the similar Mitsubishi Pajero that Patrick Zaniroli drove to victory back in 1985.
L.S.
- Lubos Schwarzbacher has already had many lives. He used to work as a spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs of Slovakia. He also works for radios and is a yacht captain. In his quest for adventures, he even drove a car from Iran to Iceland. But one of his main passions is off-road rallies.
- The Slovakian born in Brezno first met his Dakar partner back in 2007. He was then a TV reporter (another life…). Three years later they were competing together and living the kind of upsets and crashes that link a couple.
- Their common dream of taking part in the Dakar came to life when the Classic category was created. After two appearances and two finishes, the Slovakians return in a Mitsubishi Pajero and try to make it in the Top 10.
AMBITIONS 2025
S.U.: “In 2021 I saw the first year of Dakar Classic on TV and I was attracted by it. So, I started to think about it, that this could be a chance to be part of a "back to the roots" Dakar. The first participations were amazing, it was exactly like I was wondering because the Dakar really is a dream come true.
I hope for the best possible result for sure and why not the podium. But mostly I hope to have a lot of fun and great experiences.”
L.S.: “In 2021, when Dakar Classic begun, I knew it was something I would love to experience. It was a destiny. Dakar for me is a childhood dream. It is like Mt. Everest of racing. The tougher it is, the more I love it. We made it to the finish of our first appearances and that was the most important fact. It is a passion combined with adrenaline, risk, fun and all the expedition elements. For me it 100% represents the claim: Dream. Dare. Live it.
There is a saying: If you want to see God laughing, tell him about your plans and ambitions… For the next Dakar? We want to get to the finish line, if possible among the top 10 overall.”
