“Here we are again!”
En bref
D.B.
- Denis Berezovskiy began his motorsport career in 1999 in Kazakhstan, competing in the Trophy Truck Challenge. He raced consistently in this discipline, gaining valuable experience and earning victories. His progression eventually led him to a switch to cross-country rallying in 2007, opening a new and defining chapter in his career.
- One of the best Kazakh drivers of his generation, he became fully immersed in the rally community, competing regularly in numerous countries around the world. He established himself as one of the leading specialists in the T2 category, reaching a major milestone by winning the World Cup in 2008 (navigator) and 2015 (driver). His career also includes victories in events such as the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the Silk Way Rally, or the HunGarian Baja.
- Denis was set to make his Dakar debut in 2008, but the event was cancelled. He finally made it in 2011, achieving a great 8th place as Artur Ardavichus’ truck navigator. He continued as a car driver in the next years. His most recent Dakar appearance came in 2020, when he competed in a South Racing SSV. Overall, between 2002 and 2020, he took part in more than 200 races.
- After a six-year break from top-level motorsport, the 53-year-old Kazakh received a Dakar Rally return offer through a private initiative supported by Kazakhstan’s Kusto Group. He’s back with his long-standing partner Artur. Over the years, the two have alternated roles, switching between driver and navigator positions, before following their own path. Now reunited, they are ready to take on the challenge together once more.
A.A.
- Artur Ardavichus is a true child of Kazakhstan’s strong off-road development in the early 1990s. The country is, without doubt, a perfect environment for a rally racer, offering a wide variety of terrains and breathtaking landscapes. He began traveling to every possible event as both navigator and driver, gaining invaluable experience for the future.
- Driven by a deep passion for motorsport, Artur first tested himself on the international stage by competing in World Cup events on a motorcycle. In 2006, he transitioned to the T2 car category, opening a new chapter in his career. Success followed dedication: he claimed the T2 World Cup title with Denis Berezovskiy in 2008, building an impressive list of achievements that also includes victories as a truck driver, like in the Rally Kazakhstan, the Rallye des Pharaons, or Baja Aragon.
- He was set to make his Dakar debut in 2008 behind the wheel of a Nissan, but the event was cancelled. He returned three years later in a Kamaz truck, finishing an impressive 8th overall. In 2012, he confirmed his place among the elite by charging to third place, standing on the podium alongside Dutch legends Gerard de Rooy and Hans Stacey. Artur has raced for four of the world’s leading truck manufacturers –Kamaz, Tatra, MAN, Iveco–, an extraordinary testament to his adaptability and the respect he commands within the paddock. His most recent Dakar appearance in 2018 saw him secure a remarkable fourth place with the De Rooy team.
- Although he was set to compete again in 2020, circumstances forced him to withdraw. At last, eight years after his last Dakar, Artur returns to the world’s toughest rally, answering the call of his longtime friend Denis Berezovsky that was looking for a navigator. Their paths have crossed countless times in competition, including their shared Dakar debut in 2011.
Ambition
D.B.: “I’m happy to be back after a six-year long break, thanks to an offer from Kusto Group, a local Kazakh group of companies. We chose South Racing once again, as it is the best team in this category. It feels good to be back with Artur. We have been members of the same team in the past, often switching roles between the driver’s and navigator’s seats. So here we are again! Our expectations? That’s a good question. It has been a long time since the last one. First, we want to reach the finish line. And second… we’ll see!”
A.A.: “It feels great to be back in the game, especially in such a reliable line-up and alongside my friend Denis, with whom I have shared many victories. It was a long break and I hope we can form a strong crew again. I haven’t been a navigator for quite some time, so the challenge is significant, but we will give everything we have and see the result at the finish line. South Racing is the most professional team, and we have a reliable buggy beneath us. Of course, I also dream of returning to the truck seat, and I hope that moment will come soon. For that, we need training, testing, and a team. But for now, let’s drive this Dakar as cleanly and beautifully as possible!”
