VSE director with GINAF Rally Power to Dakar 2010
From 1 January 2010 the super-strong GINAF Rally Power team will again have a shot at a high finish in the world’s most famous rally. The team’s sporting ambitions are being fed by Wuf van Ginkel and Marcel van Vliet’s impressive performance in the 2009 edition. An overdose of bad luck with material prevented a true reflection of their performance in the standings. However, Marcel van Vliet’s win in the opening stage shows that the teams can set off for South America with a great deal of confidence. GRP will take part in the next Dakar Rally in South America with no fewer than eight vehicles and 23 people.
VSE is one of GINAF Rally Power’s sponsors and supplies the DTS suspension system for Wuf van Ginkel and Marcel van Vliet’s racing trucks. DTS is a microprocessor-controlled hydraulic suspension system, in this case combined with independent wheel suspension. Under the conditions of a race like this, suspension and damping are two of the most important factors in determining the vehicle’s speed. This means that VSE has a heavy responsibility vis-à-vis the team, both in terms of preparation (deciding on the right set-up) and during the race (ensuring that the system always operates flawlessly).
It is therefore very important for GRP and VSE to have enough know-how and experience in the team to be able to bear this responsibility. Like last year, therefore, Rik de Zaaijer, one of VSE’s directors and the person responsible for the technical side, will be a member of the team. Besides the DTS suspension system he is also responsible for the system for monitoring the tyre pressure and the engine management.
Rik de Zaaijer will be one of the two co-drivers sitting alongside Jan Goossen in ‘Brummetje’, GINAF Rally Service’s 4x4 T5 assistance truck.
The 2010 Dakar Rally will cover a total of 8600 km. The participants have 5200 km of heats in store. The start is on 1 January 2010 in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires. The finish of the final stage is on 16 January. This is followed on 17 January by the closing ceremony in Buenos Aires.
