“We ended 4th , 3rd and 2nd… We need to finish this!”
Crew facts
M.v.d.B.
- At just 23 years of age, Mitchel van den Brink is already gearing up for his 8th Dakar in the trucks. The young Dutchman has followed in the footsteps of his father Martin van den Brink, a Dakar regular since 2009. Having grown up surrounded by trucks, Mitchel made his debut at the world's biggest rally in 2019, aged just 16, thus becoming the youngest competitor in Dakar history.
- After two years as his dad's onboard mechanic, he then became the youngest ever Dakar truck driver (18) in 2021. And it didn't take him long to stand out: first top 10 in 2022, then top 5 in 2023 (4th). He continued to improve his position in 2024 (3rd) and 2025 (2025). This momentum makes him a clear victory contender.
- Mitchel also made a couple of noteworthy appearances in the Challengers and SSVs. After winning the SSVs at the Morocco Desert Challenge, he impressed by winning the 2025 SSV World Baja Cup with Bart van Heun, his new Dakar navigator. His ultimate dream is to one day compete in a T1+. A true all-rounder, Van den Brink Jr has also competed in traditional rallying (making his WRC debut in Belgium in 2022) and on a bike at several events, even winning the Enduro Cup class at the Andalucia Rally 2021.
- As well as racing himself, Mitchel runs the "MB Rally Experience", offering training courses for people who want to learn how to drive buggies and trucks on tracks and in the dunes.
B.v.H.:
- Bart van Heun's passion for motorsport comes from his father, with whom he used to go to WRC races as a child. A friend of his father, who was a rally competitor, convinced him to get his co-driver’s license. He has been competing in traditional rally as a co-driver since 2016. After getting to know youngster Mitchel van den Brink on the Dutch rally circuit in 2023, he took up cross-country.
- A month before Dakar 2025, Bart helped Mitchel finish 3rd in the Challenger class at the renowned Dubai International Baja, where they joined Dakar legend Nasser Al Attiyah and T3 World Baja Cup winner Eduard Pons on the overall podium. Earlier in 2024, they topped the SSV class at the Morocco Desert Challenge. The beginning of a beautiful story that led them to the 2025 SSV World Baja Cup title.
- Bart did his first Dakar in 2025 with Martin van den Brink, Mitchel’s father. A great discovery and a good learning race before jumping into Mitchel’s truck in 2026, eager to help him in his quest for victory.
Ambition
M.v.d.B.: “We did a very nice Dakar in 2025. Our goal was to improve our position, that was a 3 rd place in 2024, and we ended 2 nd after a great come back coming back from 30 rd . So our goal was achieved, but of course, when you’re on the podium, you want to win! But we were not disappointed as Dakar is Dakar and we went through some difficult situations during the race. Bart (van Heun) did great with my father. Then, together we won the FIA World Baja Cup in the SSV category, so it’s a good preparation to get into the rhythm before Dakar. I think we improved on gravel tracks, so I’m looking forward to the race, as I think it will be fast but also rocky. For sure, our goal is to win because we ended fourth, third, second… so we need to finish this!”
B.v.H.: “Mitchel and I have known each other since September 2023. We met just before doing the Hellerndoorn Rally together and had a good connection. A couple of months after, Mitchel said to me, ‘would you like to go with my dad in a truck?’ I said ‘yes, for sure, let's do it!’ This first Dakar with Martin was a good learning. The first Dakar is always special. When you cross the finish line, you get a feeling that is difficult to describe because it’s two weeks of hard racing. I started racing at 17 but I did my first rally-raid race in 2024, so I’m still learning and improving. The goal is to win but that’s everyone’s goal. Mitchell has been fourth, third then second last year, now he wants to be at the top so it’s our ambition. Our cooperation is very good, I trust him and he trusts me, we are a good team. We did a nice season, winning the SSV World Baja Cup. But trucks and SSV are different experiences, mainly because in a truck you are high and you have a good visibility of the terrain, while in SSV you see less things!”
