“The addiction only grows stronger: the harder the race, the more I enjoy it!”
En resumen
D.B.
- Once again this year, Dave Berghmans and his crew line up with a single mission: to provide assistance to the vehicles of the Overdrive Racing team. At 49 years old, the Belgian entrepreneur, who runs his own towing service company, has a huge rally-raid experience. From the tracks of the Africa Eco Race to the dunes of South America and the Empty Quarter, he has driven his Iveco Trakker across the entire world, having also previously worked as a mechanic.
- He missed the Saudi Arabian Dakar for the first time in 2025, but for a very special reason. Jackie Loomans, the man who gave him his opportunity in rally-raid, passed away in 2024. Dave’s first experience was the Africa Eco Race alongside Jackie, and in order to close that chapter, he chose to compete there 2025. Now, he is back to his usual Dakar routine.
- The drivers Dave is tasked with supporting include champions like Yazeed Al Rajhi, 2025 Dakar winner. A pressure loved by Dave, who has earned Jean-Marc Fortin’s trust through hard work and dedication.
S.K.
- The Dakar is a childhood dream for Sam Koopmann. Not only because it is a family passion shared with his father and his late brother, who worked for legendary team boss André Dessoude. But also because of where he grew up. Raised in a small village in la Manche, Sam was surrounded by people connected to the rally, including Dessoude himself, as well as Michel Gambillon and Antoine Morel. The images they brought back from Africa sparked a lifelong calling.
- It was during the African era of the rally that Sam first discovered the bivouac. In 2007, Antoine Morel, head of MD Rallye Sport, welcomed South African quad competitors. Someone was needed to translate between English and French; this is how Sam entered the event, while working as a mechanic on Philippe Gosselin’s Nissan Patrol, the famous “baker of the Dakar.”
- Nineteen years later, Sam is facing his 13th Dakar with the same energy as his first, driven by a true love-hate relationship with a race that makes him suffer as much as smile. Now a trusted member of Dave Berghmans’ team, he will be back in his assistance truck for the fourth time, having taken part with him in every edition since 2022, except the most recent one.
P.U.
- A professional mechanic based in Belgium, Peter Ulenaers comes from the Lommel region, where motorsport passion runs deep. His skills have led him to work on numerous off-road events, from the Rallye du Maroc to the Africa Eco Race, as well as various Bajas in Portugal, Poland, Hungary, and even South Africa.
- At 58 years old, Peter is about to add a major milestone to his CV: the Dakar Rally. The ultimate event he has long dreamed of, which he will now discover as a mechanic alongside his compatriot Dave Berghmans. It is both a great honor and a major responsibility, as their truck will be tasked with assisting the Overdrive Racing drivers, among the strongest teams in the entire caravan
Ambición
D.B.: “Dakar is a way of life; you either love it or hate it. Personally, the addiction only grows stronger; the harder the race, the more I enjoy it. The desert is one of the most beautiful places on earth: vast plains where you don't see anyone for miles, dunes that make you wonder how we're going to get up there… Splendid. Our goal is to support the team in the best possible way. The two marathon stages are especially important to us: during these days, we can make a difference. As T5.2, our result in the T5 classification is less important because we are part of the assistance of team. With Overdrive, we're going for the win. I definitely feel that pressure but I like it, I perform best under pressure. I'm very happy with Mr. Fortin's confidence. Our crew consists of three experienced rally raid mechanics. Adrenaline levels surge with every intervention, but we've been doing it for years and are perfectly attuned to each other.”
S.K.: “The 2025 race was tough, but also very good for us because we won with Yazeed Al Rajhi. This 2026 edition promises to be challenging once again, especially with the two marathon stages, which are the most demanding for our crew and our mission. We are coming back with the team and will be following the Overdrive Racing cars as assistance. So far, we have always managed to accomplish our mission, and I hope that will be the case again this year. They have a great car, well designed, and once again we can expect a great battle. I did my first Dakar in 2007 and I still have the same passion. Dakar is like a drug: you love it as much as you hate it! A real love-hate relationship. When you’re struggling, you wonder what you’re doing there. But when you finish, you immediately think: can’t wait for next year!”
P.U.
“I’ve taken part in many rallies as a mechanic, in Europe as well as in Africa, but never in the Dakar Rally. That was before Dave Berghmans called me to join him in his truck. I’m expecting a great experience, and maybe more Dakar events in the future!”
“I’ve taken part in many rallies as a mechanic, in Europe as well as in Africa, but never in the Dakar Rally. That was before Dave Berghmans called me to join him in his truck. I’m expecting a great experience, and maybe more Dakar events in the future!”
