The Dakar Rally 2026 Begins

The Dakar Rally is widely regarded as the toughest endurance motorsport event in the world. Covering thousands of kilometres across extreme terrain, it pushes competitors, vehicles, and equipment to their absolute limits. Success at Dakar depends not only on skill and determination, but also on reliability, preparation, and the right technical partners.

As the 2026 Dakar Rally gets underway this weekend, Millers Oils is once again proud to support competitors through our distributor, Millers Oils Polska.

Millers Oils at Dakar: A Proven Presence

Dakar is no stranger to Millers Oils. Our products have been trusted in previous editions of the rally, supporting teams operating in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. In 2026, both a motorcycle and truck entry supported by Millers Oils Polska will rely on Millers Oils engine oils and fluids throughout the event, with Millers Oils branding proudly displayed.

Returning Partner: Bartłomiej Tabin – Motorcycle

For the third year in a row, Polish motorcycle competitor Bartłomiej Tabin returns to the Dakar Rally, his second year with support from Millers Oils Polska.

Competing on a KOVE 450 Rally bike in the Rally 2 class, Tabin will be using ZFS 4T Performance 15w50 engine oil. Dakar’s extreme heat, long stages, and relentless engine load demand consistent lubrication performance, making oil choice critical for reliability and rider confidence.

This is the same oil Tabin trialled at last year’s Dakar, where he trusted Millers Oils to put a brand-new, not-yet-launched product to the test on the world stage. As a higher-performance addition to the ZFS 4T range, designed specifically for harsh racing conditions, it proved its capability under the most demanding circumstances.

Tabin’s return to Dakar reflects both the experience gained and the determination required to take on the world’s toughest rally once again. Last year, he secured 2nd place in the Veteran Trophy category, a podium finish that fulfilled a long-held ambition and marked an improvement on his Dakar debut in 2024. Now, heading into his third consecutive Dakar, we’re looking forward to seeing how that experience translates into further progress.

Dakar Debut: Hurtimo Team WhiteReds – Truck

Making their Dakar Rally debut as a team in 2026 is Hurtimo Team White Reds, an all-Polish crew consisting of Darek Łysek – driver (also making his debut in the Dakar), Jacek Czachor – navigator, and Darek Rodewald – mechanic.

Dariusz Łysek is a Polish entrepreneur whose lifelong passion for motorsport and classic cars led him to pursue cross-country rallying, with Dakar as the ultimate goal. After years of experience gained through training and Baja rallies, his team claimed victory in the Central European Zone Cross Country Championship in 2023.

In 2025, the newly formed Hurtimo Team White Reds began their professional journey, debuting the MM Technology EVO 4 truck at the Rallye du Maroc, where they finished 2nd in the T5 class. The 2026 Dakar Rally now marks the culmination of years of preparation and ambition.

The team will compete in the T5.1 Prototype Cross-Country Trucks class, using:

• Motorsport CFS 10w60 NT+
• Diesel Power ECOMAX – For Heavy Duty Use
• Deltaplex 2 EP

Millers Oils Polska initially supplied engine oil during the team’s early preparations, with the partnership expanding as the Dakar Rally approached.

As Łysek puts it:

“Same dream, higher stakes. The 2025 season proved that we can fight. The 2026 season is the time to face the very best. Hurtimo Team White Reds heads to Dakar with two mains goals: reach the finish line and proudly represent Poland among the world elite.”

Proven Engineering: MM Technology Trucks and Millers Oils

While Hurtimo Team White Reds is a new Dakar entry, the truck itself comes from familiar territory. The MM Technology Dakar EVO 4 is built by the same Czech manufacturer responsible for the last two Dakar Rally Truck victories, achieved in partnership with Millers Oils Czech and powered by Millers Oils lubricants on both occasions. Read more about last year here. 

With a 13-litre FPT engine producing 1,050 hp, the EVO 4 platform has already proven its strength in top-level cross-country rallies, making it a formidable contender for Dakar’s demanding stages.

The Challenge Ahead

With extreme heat, sand, rocks, and marathon stages ahead, Dakar will test every component to its limits. From motorcycles to 8-tonne race trucks, reliability is everything, and that’s where proven lubrication technology plays a critical role.

Millers Oils Polska is proud to support both returning and debut competitors as they take on one of motorsport’s greatest challenges, backed by Millers Oils every step of the way.

Read about last year’s success here.