Dakar Truck Category

Dakar Truck Category

Definition and Historical Status
The Dakar Truck category is one of the premier competition classes in the Dakar Rally, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Car and Bike categories. It was not featured during the event's early years, when participating trucks merely served rescue and logistical transport duties. Following requests from competitors, the rally organisers officially introduced the Truck category, transforming these support vehicles into front-running contenders. With their colossal dimensions, massive power outputs, and immense demands on mechanical reliability, the Truck category has become the most visually striking and teamwork-intensive class in the Dakar Rally.

Category Classifications
The Dakar Truck category is currently split into two sub-classes. T5.1 is the competitive truck class, comprising prototype and modified production race trucks, representing the most fiercely contested division across the categories. T5.2 is the assistance truck class, dedicated to transporting team equipment and providing mechanical backup between bivouacs without competitive racing goals. Race trucks predominantly utilise a 4WD drivetrain, with select entries configured in 6WD; regulations strictly cap overall vehicle height at 4 metres.

Competition Rules and Crew Composition
Crew composition in the Truck category is distinctive. A race truck is typically manned by a three-person crew comprising a driver, navigator, and on-board mechanic—a key differentiator from the two-person crews in the Car category. All crew members must hold a valid FIA competition licence, while up to two members per crew may hold heavy vehicle driving licences. Competition trucks undergo extensive weight-saving measures, stripping away non-essential trim while retaining only critical load-bearing structures to shave kerb weight and maximise stage pace.

Manufacturer Landscape and the 2026 Season
Historically, Russia's Kamaz Master team dominated the Dakar Truck category, standing as the undisputed title favourite for over two decades. Following geopolitical developments, Kamaz has been absent since 2023, allowing Iveco to take centre stage as the dominant marque. The 2026 edition saw 46 trucks line up at the start line, with Iveco fielding the largest contingent at 20 entries, followed closely by MAN with 13. Other participating marques included Tatra, DAF, Renault, Scania, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, whilst Hino stood as the sole Asian manufacturer representative, marking its 35th consecutive appearance.

2026 Season Competitive Landscape
The title fight in the 2026 Dakar Truck category was primarily contested within the Iveco camp. Defending champion Martin Macík, behind the wheel of an MM Technology-built Iveco Powerstar, was hunting for a third consecutive crown. His fiercest rival was Dutch youngster Mitchel van den Brink of Eurol Rallysport; having finished fourth, third, and second over the past three editions, the 23-year-old set his sights firmly on the overall championship in 2026. His father, Martin van den Brink, also campaigned for the same team, setting up a captivating father-son battle on the stages. Team De Rooy remained a potent threat; having clinched the title in 2023 with Janus van Kasteren, the squad entered Aleš Loprais and Vaidotas Žala in 2026, both piloting Iveco Powerstar machinery. On Stage 7, Žala stormed to victory in 4 hours, 27 minutes, and 24 seconds, with Loprais trailing by just 1 minute and 23 seconds in second, sealing a dominant 1-2 finish for Iveco.

Hino's Persistence
Japan's Hino Motors remains the only Asian truck manufacturer represented in the Dakar Rally. Since debuting in 1991, Team Hino has racked up 35 consecutive finishes, setting a record for consecutive finishes by a truck manufacturer in the Dakar Rally. In the 2026 edition, the Teruhito Sugawara-led squad crossed the line in 15th overall, taking Sugawara's personal streak to 21 consecutive finishes and eclipsing the previous benchmark of 20 held by his father, Yoshimasa Sugawara. Despite enduring a rollover, an intercooler failure, and multiple tyre punctures, the Hino 600 Series race truck completed the entire course, highlighting the gruelling demands on mechanical resilience and crew adaptability in the Truck category.