Tim and Tom Coronel are ready for the upcoming edition of the Dakar Rally, thanks to a brand-new car and the so-called Corotel. The new equipment was unveiled on Monday during a special event in Huizen. In early January, the racing brothers will start in Saudi Arabia. This is the ninth time they are participating together in the Dakar Rally, one of the most challenging car races in the world.
On Monday evening, Tim and Tom Coronel unveiled their new Dakar vehicle during a special team presentation in Huizen. For the forty-seventh edition of the prestigious rally, the brothers have opted for an upgrade. After three years of driving the Century CR6, they are now switching to its successor, the Century CR7. This new model swaps the Chevrolet V8 engine for a twin-turbo Audi engine and is equipped with four-wheel drive, larger wheels, and higher suspension.
“The CR7 should be even faster and more stable,” said Tim Coronel. He recently tested the car in South Africa. “The balance is so much better; it responds immediately when you steer and has much more grip. It also feels lighter, even though it’s actually heavier. The Dakar Rally has become much more technical, so I think we’re doing well to upgrade our equipment. This car is really a big step forward.”
The Corotel
In addition to their new racing monster, Tim and Tom Coronel are also bringing another new vehicle to Saudi Arabia. On Monday, the team bus was also unveiled, the so-called Corotel. “It’s a hotel on wheels,” Tom proudly explained. “The rally gets tougher every year, so a good night’s sleep is important. That’s why all the top drivers sleep in campers. The Corotel has a total of six rooms, three of which we use ourselves. We’re going to rent out the other three.” The team bus is also fully self-sufficient and CO2-neutral, thanks to a number of solar panels and advanced batteries. “We can even provide our technical container with electricity,” Tom explained.
The 47th Edition of the Dakar Rally
The forty-seventh edition of the Dakar Rally is set to commence in January and will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for the sixth time. The caravan will depart from Bisha, heading north, and finish in Shubaytah via the Empty Quarter. The route has been revamped with several new elements introduced. For instance, at least five stages will have separate routes for motorcycles and cars, and the two-day stage has been extended to nine hundred and fifty kilometers. Classic elements such as a marathon stage and a mass start have also been added. Team Coronel will depart for Barcelona on Tuesday to deliver all vehicles for the crossing to the Middle East.
The ‘Corotel’, the ‘hotel on wheels’ where Tim and Tom Coronel will stay during the upcoming edition of the Dakar Rally, is ready for the adventure.
