N°600 Car MM TECHNOLOGY

MARTIN MACIK

(cze) Born on 23/04/1989 1.89m / 90kg

Hobbies

Cars, work & movies

Sponsors

Prometeon, Silmet, Festa, IVAR CS, MM Technology

2024: 1st (4 stage wins)
2023: 2nd (4 stage wins)
2022: 7th
2021: 4th
2020: 5th
2019: Ab. Stage 5
2018: 5th
2017: 10th
2016: 19th
2015: Ab. Stage 5
2014: 13th (navigator for Vlastimil Vildman)
2013: 18th (navigator for Vlastimil Vildman)

2024: Baja Aragon (1st), Rallye du Maroc (1st)
2023: Baja Aragon (2nd), Baja Poland (2nd), Rallye du Maroc (DSQ)
2022: Baja Aragon (3rd), Rallye du Maroc (1st)
2021: Baja Aragon (1st), Rallye du Maroc (3rd)
2020: Baja Poland (2nd), Baja Drawsko (1st)
2019: Baja Aragon (1st), Baja Poland (1st), Rallye du Maroc (2nd)
2018: Baja Aragon (2nd), Baja Poland (1st), Rallye du Maroc (1st)
2017: Baja Aragon (1st), Baja Poland (1st), El Chott Rally Tunisia (1st)
2016: Baja Drawsko (1st), Baja Poland (2nd), Hungarian Baja (3rd), Baja Aragon (4th)
2015: Baja Drawsko (1st), Baja Poland (1st), Hungarian Baja (2nd), Baja Bohemia (2nd), Baja Aragon (3rd)
2014: Hungarian Baja (1st), Baja Aragon (4th)
2013: Silk Way Rally (7th)

“It's always hard to be the favourite”

CREW FACTS

M.M.

  • Martin Macik will be taking part in his 13th Dakar in 2025. He is once again joined by Frantisek Tomasek (his navigator since 2016) and David Svanda (his mechanic since 2020).
  • The 35-year-old entrepreneur claimed his first overall victory in the trucks at Dakar 2024, becoming the first driver from the Czech Republic to win the class since the legendary Karel Loprais in 2001.
  • Martin has followed in the footsteps of his father Martin Macik Senior, who first did the Dakar in 2003 and came as high as fourth in 2010. Together they founded the MM Technology team and began to build their own trucks at a workshop in Sedlcany.
  • Martin made his Dakar debut in 2013 as a navigator for Vlastimil Vildman, then switched to the driver's seat from 2015 onwards.
  • In the era of Kamaz-Master domination, his best result was fourth in 2021. In the absence of the Russians, he has now come second and first overall, winning a total of eight stages.
  • As well as conquering the Dakar in 2024, Martin and his crew also won Baja Aragon and the Rallye du Maroc. In Morocco they were testing their new EVO 4 truck, nicknamed 'Benny the Big Guy', and won every single stage.
  • MM Technology have prepared and will service no fewer than six trucks at Dakar 2025. Martin and one of his main overall rivals Mitchel van den Brink will both be driving an EVO 4, as will Kees Koolen, while Claudio Bellina and Richard de Groot will be in the EVO 3, and Mitchel's father Martin van den Brink will get behind the wheel of an EVO 2.
  • Martin's business portfolio also includes the MM Production Agency, which offers media, marketing and photography services.

F.T.

  • Frantisek 'Frank' Tomasek has only ever raced with Martin Macik. They have known each other for a long time, because Martin's father built his first race truck in Frantisek's town.
  • Frank and Martin used to ride offroad bikes together, then joked about racing together in a truck before making it a reality from 2016 onwards.
  • The 42-year-old has previously said that he and Martin have "the same values and the same sense of humour" and that they can rely on each other. "I'm always there for him if he needs good advice, inside or outside the truck."
  • He added that mechanic David Svanda has "slotted in just perfectly" since Dakar 2020. The trio are preparing for their sixth Dakar together.

D.S.

  • David Svanda first got interested in motorsport at around the age of 16, when he used to volunteer as a track commissaire at local rallies.
  • A trained electrical engineer, he began working at MM Technology in 2018. At Dakar 2019 he worked as a mechanic-electrician, before stepping up to race mechanic and head of electrical installation.
  • He is now responsible for the development and production of all electrical components at MM Technology.
  • David knows the importance of teamwork in a Dakar truck crew. "There are three of us and everyone is very important," he observed. "Without each other we cannot achieve the maximum result."

2025 AMBITIONS

M.M. : “Last year's victory was awesome. I was still processing it for a while after Dakar. I didn't realise it at the end of the rally, because the pressure is so high that you just feel relieved. But in the following days it was completely different, and we really enjoyed it. And especially throughout the year. It will be nice to come back as the defending champion, but not as the main contender for a second victory. It's always hard to be the favourite. I was always good coming as the underdog and fighting from there. Victory last year means we've needed to push even harder for Dakar 2025, because it's not easy to win the title for the second time in a row. I think it's even worse or harder to get than the first time. Everything we do is geared towards Dakar. That's why we’ve built a new truck, Evolution 4: a little bit of weight control, details in the software and the brackets and so on. We also have new tyres from Prometeon that we tested in Morocco. We wanted a more reliable truck, even though we had no issues at Dakar 2024 - that's also why we won it. But there's always room for improvement and I believe we've managed it. Morocco was perfect; we were in first place from start to finish. To be honest, I didn't expect to have no teething problems with the new Evolution 4. When it comes to the Dakar, 30% is about the truck. One third is the crew and one third is the team.”

F.T.: “Winning the Dakar is truly an indescribable honour. There’s a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment, knowing that all the hard work, dedication and team effort paid off. Coming into Dakar 2025 as the defending champions brings a mix of responsibilities and pressure. There's an expectation to perform at the same high level, and it serves as a constant reminder to stay humble, work harder and remain focused. My hopes for Dakar 2025 are for a safe, competitive and fair race for everyone involved. Of course, we would love to defend our title, but more importantly, we aim to push our limits, demonstrate good sportsmanship and support each other throughout the race. The 48h Chrono is an interesting and challenging addition to the Dakar. It requires strategising and endurance from all participants. We loved it in 2024 and we're hoping it will remain as tough.”

D.S.: “At MM technology I work exclusively as an electrical engineer and I'm responsible for the development and production of all electrical components. Every year I try to use new technologies and simplify the system for easy operation and servicing. Because of my profession, I am now mainly customising the electronics software to make it as sophisticated and robust as possible in every situation, but also understandable for our customers' vehicles with identical versions. If we succeed like last year and I only have to get out of the truck to change tyres, that would be ideal! We got there in gradual, natural steps, and that's what's especially important about it. It wasn't just a coincidence. In our country, the Dakar fever is mainly in the truck category, where there's a really long and special history, and I am very happy that I can now be a part of it. They say that defending victory is much more difficult, but for me the Dakar itself is so demanding that these cliches don't apply. For me there is another important point - and that's to have the highest-placed trucks come from MM Technology production, and to shake hands with all of them at the finish line! I can't wait.”

Vehicle

MM TECHNOLOGY

MM TECHNOLOGY POWERSTAR
MM TECHNOLOGY

  • MM TECHNOLOGY
  • POWERSTAR
  • FPT 13,000 cc
  • 1050+ HP
  • 8760 kg
  • MM Technology
  • MM Technology
  • T5.1: Prototype Cross-Country Trucks

Ranking 2025

All news of M. Macik

Summary - 17/01 17:29 [GMT +3]

DAKAR 2025: CONSECRATION FOR SANDERS AND AL RAJHI

Ultimate: Patience proves the wiser for Al Rajhi

• With a solid return to the Dakar following his absence in 2024, Henk Lategan moved into the lead at the halfway point, added a stage success to his roll of honour and held steady until the ninth special when he suffered from having to open the way. Yazeed Al Rahji, who was trailing in the South African’s wake until...

Newsflashes - 17/01 14:42 [GMT +3] - Car

Macik wins his second Dakar

Martin Macik has left no room for doubt on this edition of the Dakar. Following a close battle with Ales Loprais and truck rookie Vaidotas Zala on the first specials, the Czech driver took command of the general rankings from stage 3 onwards, reinforcing his lead thanks to his rivals’ mishaps. With five stage victories, the boss of MM Technology has picked up his second...

Newsflashes - 17/01 13:22 [GMT +3] - Car

Macik kicks off the truck special

Following the bikes and the cars, the trucks have not set off to the finishing line in Shubaytah. Unless something wholly unlikely happens on the route, the Czech is set to pick up his second title.

Newsflashes - 17/01 12:10 [GMT +3] - Car

Macik already has one hand on the title

Martin Macik, who won his 5th stage victory on this edition yesterday, is approaching the home stretch to the rally’s finish with a huge lead over his rivals. Mitchel van den Brink trails the Czech driver by more than 2 hours and 25 minutes. Macik is in a perfect position to win his second title on the Dakar.

Summary - 16/01 17:38 [GMT +3]

Honey to the bee for Sanders, all smiles for Al Rajhi

FOCUS
Dunes and fog are not a good mix when the riders, drivers and crews have to start a special on the Dakar. This morning, the Empty Quarter was full of dense mist, preventing the helicopters from taking off and ensuring the race’s safety. The delay of the start to the special while waiting for the skies to clear also incited the bikers to request that the stage...

Newsflashes - 16/01 13:39 [GMT +3] - Car

Macik wins stage 11

Martin Macik has picked up his fifth victory on the 47th edition of the Dakar, winning the special in the truck category by only 7’’ ahead of Kees Koolen. The Czech driver, who has a solid lead in the general rankings, is well set to keep his place on the top of the pile in the truck race, with an advantage that has now climbed to more than 2 hours 25 minutes over...

Newsflashes - 16/01 13:10 [GMT +3] - Car

Macik reaches the finishing line

Martin Macik has completed the day’s special with the best time, 2’54’’ ahead of Mitchel van den Brink and 4’26’’ in front of Ales Loprais. The Czech driver is looking well set to pick up his 5th stage success of the year.

Newsflashes - 16/01 12:43 [GMT +3] - Car

Macik takes the lead

Martin Macik has taken the lead in the truck special at the second intermediate point after 67 km. The Czech has increased his advantage to 2’41’’ over Kees Koolen and 4’19’’ over Vaidotas Zala, who led after 39 km. Yeserday’s winner Ales Loprais trails Macik by 8’18’’.

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