Millers Oils Powers Dakar Rally Champions!

The 2025 Dakar Rally has wrapped up, and we’re thrilled to have backed champions in both the Truck and Bike categories through our fantastic Czech and Polish distributors.

The 47th edition of the rally, its sixth in Saudi Arabia, saw 175 vehicles conquer the terrain to finish in Shubaytah. A total of 77 bikes, 40 Ultimate cars, 1 Stock car, 21 Challengers, 23 SSVs, and 13 trucks successfully crossed the finish line after tackling an impressive route of over 7,000 kilometres.

Trucks Take the Title Again!

The defending champions of the truck category have done it again! With the power of Millers Oils, including our high-performance, low-friction motorsport engine and transmission oils, and Diesel Power ECOMAX, Martin Macík Jr., Frantisek Tomasek, David Svanda (& their truck nicknamed ‘Benny’) secured victory once more. They dominated the competition, with five stage wins (Equalling Loprais, and holding a joint record on this edition) and finishing with a staggering lead of over two hours!

A Solid Ride for Tabin

In the bike category, Bartłomiej Tabin concluded the Dakar Rally with an impressive finish, placing 49th overall and taking home 2nd in the Veteran Trophy category, a podium spot that fulfilled his dream. Riding with the performance of an exciting new trial product from the Millers Oils ZFS+ line specifically designed to meet the extreme challenges of the Dakar Rally.

A Gruelling First Half

The first half of the Dakar was a real test of endurance, featuring rugged rocky terrain that pushed competitors to their limits. The challenging mix of tricky waypoints, shifting landscapes, and relentless sand dunes made for a punishing experience.

Heavy rains and sharp lava rocks added to the chaos, forcing the MM Technology truck team to navigate repairs after hitting a boulder. Despite these hurdles, MM Technology showcased incredible strength, while Tabin displayed unyielding determination throughout the stages. Read more about the first half in our ‘halfway highlights’ here.

Dunes, Darkness, and Navigation Nightmares

As the rally progressed into the second half, competitors transitioned from rocky terrain to towering sand dunes. The challenges intensified, especially for Macík’s team on uncharted terrain, driving without any prior tracks was a true test of skill. The combination of dust, tricky navigation, and racing against the setting sun made for a thrilling yet daunting experience. The last thing anyone wanted was to tackle those massive dunes in complete darkness!

This year’s rally demanded exceptional navigational skills, as different categories followed varied routes. Missing waypoints or choosing the wrong track could lead to costly detours, all while contending with thick dust clouds from competing vehicles.

A Phenomenal Finale

After 14 tough days across the unforgiving desert, the final stage of the Dakar Rally, a relatively short 61 kilometres, unveiled an exciting twist: a mass start! This unique feature, rarely seen in recent Dakar history, had trucks launching in groups of four, setting the stage for an exhilarating race to the finish.

Macík, Tomasek, and Svanda successfully defended their title, and while it might seem straightforward to win the Dakar Rally twice, the fierce competition made this feat anything but easy. The reigning champions delivered an outstanding performance, overcoming a three-way battle with Ales Loprais and newcomer Vaidotas Zala. Macík capitalised on his rivals’ misfortunes during the demanding 48 HR Chrono stage, and took control of the general rankings from stage three.

Meanwhile, Bartłomiej Tabin celebrated his own success by taking a podium spot in the veteran’s category. This was his second Dakar Rally, and with newfound experience and a steady approach, he climbed the ranks and improved his performance and standing, a testament to his hard work.

At Millers Oils, we take immense pride in supporting such remarkable competitors, and we eagerly anticipate what the next rally will bring!

Read more about the 2025 Dakar Rally here.