“Giving up is not an option!”
En bref
R.T.
- Robert follows in the footsteps of his parents, who gave him their love for adventure and motorsports. They drove their Jeep Cherokee XJ to different terrains and took part in some events in Germany. His father did the El Chott race in 1996, which sparked Robert’s interest for rally. Later, Robert competed in the Rallye Breslau Poland with some friends. He also did El Chott in Tunisia, and other rallies as a helper.
- In November 2023, Jorg Sang asked him to transport a truck, destined to do the Dakar Classic, from Serbia to Germany. Robert took the vehicle to Troisdorf on time, then picked it up in February 2024 in Barcelona. Being in the Dakar atmosphere triggers an irremediable desire to be part of the race. He finally was a competitor in 2025.
- The German mechanic spent part of the year working on the truck he will drive for the second edition in a row, the legendary Mercedes-Benz NG 2636 6x6. It has already experienced the Dakar tracks since it participated in 2024 and 2025 but was also previously the vehicle of the Mitsubishi Dakar Team back in 1986-1987.
- Robert first met Jan Holtz, at the Retro Classics Essen. And his new navigator has nothing but nice words to say about him: “He is a very funny and easy-going person, but at the same time extremely skilled technically. He is an excellent mechanic, which makes him a perfect fit for the team.” The perfect teammate!
J.H.
- Motorsport has been part of Jan Holtz’s life since the beginning. Following this path felt natural, almost inevitable, just as pursuing his Dakar dream. His journey began when he made his competition debut alongside his father in 2011, driving a Mitsubishi Pajero they built themselves for the German rally Championship. It marked the true beginning of his motorsport career.
- Over the years, Jan has competed in numerous races and championships across Europe. His commitment and perseverance were rewarded with two titles in Germany. He also gained valuable international experience by racing in Morocco, Poland, the Czech Republic, or the Netherlands.
- The 34-year-old German works in his own company, JH Motorsport, where high-performance shock absorbers and suspension components are developed and manufactured entirely in-house, with a focus on motorsport and rally raid applications.
- The Volkel Dakar Classic team’s main vehicle, the Mercedes driven by Jorg Sand, is equipped with shock absorbers fully produced by Jan’s company. More than just a vital member of the team working from the fast assistance truck, Jan is a key technical pillar of the project, playing a decisive role in the team’s success throughout this extraordinary adventure.
Ambition
R.T.
“My parents have been members of the 4x4 Adventure Club Lauchhammer since 1995. That's where my passion for off-roading began. My friend Jorg Sand and a journey from Serbia to Cologne and Barcelona gave me the desire to do the Dakar one day. I got a little taste of it in 2024 in Barcelona, and since then the Dakar Rally has been more present in my mind than ever before. Watching the cars, trucks and buggies was simply indescribable. The 2025 edition was absolutely insane! Driving to the starting line alongside the professional competitors, and then finish the race… That was my best memories. We’re going again with the same truck in 2026, and we hope to finish safe and sound.”
“My parents have been members of the 4x4 Adventure Club Lauchhammer since 1995. That's where my passion for off-roading began. My friend Jorg Sand and a journey from Serbia to Cologne and Barcelona gave me the desire to do the Dakar one day. I got a little taste of it in 2024 in Barcelona, and since then the Dakar Rally has been more present in my mind than ever before. Watching the cars, trucks and buggies was simply indescribable. The 2025 edition was absolutely insane! Driving to the starting line alongside the professional competitors, and then finish the race… That was my best memories. We’re going again with the same truck in 2026, and we hope to finish safe and sound.”
J.H.
“I followed the Dakar Rally on television for many years, and I had a special fascination for it. At some point during my training, I made the conscious decision that I wanted to pursue rally raid motorsport. The experiences I had in my previous races, like in Germany, have played a major role in shaping both his driving skills and my personal development. The main goal is clearly to finish the Dakar successfully. As a fast assistance team, our priority is to support and take care of our customers in the best possible way. At the same time, we want to enjoy the experience, work well as a team, and collect as many unforgettable moments and adventures as possible. Because that is what the Dakar is all about!"
“I followed the Dakar Rally on television for many years, and I had a special fascination for it. At some point during my training, I made the conscious decision that I wanted to pursue rally raid motorsport. The experiences I had in my previous races, like in Germany, have played a major role in shaping both his driving skills and my personal development. The main goal is clearly to finish the Dakar successfully. As a fast assistance team, our priority is to support and take care of our customers in the best possible way. At the same time, we want to enjoy the experience, work well as a team, and collect as many unforgettable moments and adventures as possible. Because that is what the Dakar is all about!"
