“Fire fighters are a worldwide family”

They are just a small Dutch team but the Firemen Dakar Team is known all over the world. Team captain Richard de Groot has been a volunteer in the fire brigade for 14 years next to being a salesman in petrol and other oil products and owner of three local gas stations. He made his debut in the Dakar way back in 2006 as a bike rider and changed to trucks just a few years ago. Both his crew members are fire fighters as well. After three years with a DAF the team enters the new chapter of the Dakar with a Renault prepared by MKR.

Richard de Groot: “The support we got from firemen from all over the world is heart-warming. Fire fighters are a worldwide family and they support and help each other everywhere. With their reception they really make us feel heroes and we are obliged to return the honour by making it to the finish. Saudi Arabia will be different to South America, but I’ve been in the African Dakars and thus I think I understand a bit better what to expect from the vast and empty landscapes.”