Dakar generations

Dakar 2020 | Stage 5 | ALULA > Ha'il
January 9 ^th 2020 - 08:25 [GMT + 3]

The two fathers in one SSV and the two sons in the other —this is the order of battle of the Polish team composed of the Domżała-Marton families. The kids want to be the start of the rally, while the grown-ups are just there for the adventure…

Aron Domżała entered the Dakar to "be part of the race"… in other words, to win. He put his money where his mouth was from day one, when he won the opening stage to Al Wajh in the SSV category. The Domżałas' family quest at the Dakar is like no other. Even traditions are turned on their heads, with the son introducing his father to the genre: "We both used to work in real estate, but I got into rallies 10 years ago and then into off-road 5 years ago", explains Aron. "When I decided to enter the Dakar, he wanted to come with me because he's an inveterate traveller who's been to over 150 countries." Apart from taking Maciej Domżała sightseeing and adding a new country to his tally, father and son have also divvied up responsibilities: "He's here for the adventure first and foremost, but being able to count on him is an invaluable aid", continues Domżała Jr. "For example, if we need to change parts or tyres."

In the lieutenants' SSV, Rafał Marton is tasked with ensuring navigation goes smoothly. Back in Poland, he is a legendary co-driver who competed in the WRC prior to taking part in 13 editions of the Dakar, with 2014 as his best performance teaming up with ski jumper Adam Małysz. This time round, he is also racing as Maciej's dad… Maciej being Aron's co-driver, for whom it was only natural to take up motor sports: "I grew up in this world and have never looked beyond it. It's my passion and my job. We're just a little team. We started with just a toolbox, but we are growing little by little". In order to ramp up the growth of their outfit, Aron came up with an idea that would change everything: "Finishing the Dakar is all nice and good, but we're too competitive to settle for that", he points out candidly. "Now that we're out of contention for the overall, we need to win another two or three stages to be really pleased. We are fast enough to be in front".