“To finish the race is like a victory for us!”
CREW FACTS
S.C.
- Working in construction, cleaning and road materials recycling, Stefan Carmans knows everything about roads. Let's say he found his way, in his job but also in his sporting life. Since he was 15, he dreamed about being on the starting line of the Dakar. And he did everything he could to achieve it.
- After many years of hard work, he acquired a Bowler in 2019 and entered the Morocco Desert Challenge. The first rally-raid of his life, contested with Antonius Van Tiel, who became his co-driver. The Carmans/Van Tiel team started a five years preparation program, gaining knowledge by participating in all kinds of rallies, from small races to the Andalucia Rally or the Rallye Breslau Poland.
- During one of these events, Stefan met Terence Marsh, the founder of the Red-Lined Motorsport Adventure team. He took one of his Revo T1+ to finally live his dream and achieve his goal by crossing the finish line of the Dakar 2024. And with an interesting result: 69th place overall, 3rd position among the Ultimate rookies! The Belgian driver is back in 2025, aiming to continue the road of his life.
A.V.T.
- Passionate about motorsport, Stefan started off-roading in his youth by buying a Land Rover. He first drove around his home, and went further with raids in Africa or races in Netherlands in the mid-2000s. He then became a co-driver for different teams.
- Looking for an experienced navigator, Stefan Carmans contacted him when he bought his first racing car. The two guys launched their Dakar project, with five years of preparation. Antonius divided his time between his passion, and managing a stable installation company. The Carmans/Van Tiel team gained knowledge by participating in all kinds of rallies, from small races to the Andalucia Rally or the Morocco Desert Challenge.
- Powered by a Revo T1+ from Red-Lined, Stefan and Antonius achieved their goal by crossing the finish line of the Dakar 2024. And with an interesting result: 69th place overall, 3rd position among the Ultimate rookies! A positive experience that leads them to repeat the adventure in 2025.
2025 AMBITION
S.C.: “We were first timers in 2024, we did the entire Dakar without problems and had the pleasure of getting a good result. We couldn't have done better! We had a good time with Antonius. He has been my co-driver for several years, we know each other well. We return in 2025 with the same car, powered by Red-Lined, but it is like new because it has been completely rebuilt! We want to do better, but it's ok for me to have the same performance as in 2024. I'm a privateer, I have only one goal: to cross the finish line every day. And if we do that in every stage, the final result should be good!”
A.V.T.: “Dakar 2024 was a very good experience. It’s a tough rally, both in driving and in navigation, and the fact that it lasts two weeks makes it a very demanding race. But we did a very good job, being third in the Ultimate rookie standings. We have been competing together for over six years, I can read his driving and we make a good team. I have a very good feeling about 2025! The goal is to finish, it’s still the main target. Everything can happen, but we are not a professional team and we can’t win the race. For us, having fun and finishing is like a victory!”
