The team presentation of the Coronel Dakar Team took place today. After last year’s successful edition, Tim and Tom Coronel decided to invite fans, family, friends and partners to present the team and wave them goodbye for the upcoming Dakar Rally as well. Tim and Tom also showed their new car for the first time: the 4×4 Century CR7 T1+! As icing on the cake, they unveiled the Corotel, a driving race-hotel.
The team presentation was well attended, the many attendees were welcomed at Coronel Adventure Indoor Klimpark in Huizen. After the reception, the new car was presented by Tim and Tom together with Allard Kalff. After three years of driving the Century CR6 it was time for a serious upgrade. They found that in the new Century CR7, the successor to the CR6. The biggest differences compared to the old car are a new twin turbo Audi engine, four-wheel drive, bigger wheels and a higher suspension. “That should provide more speed and an even more stable car,” Tim says.
Tim has tested the car in South Africa. “I drove this car for two days. So it has four-wheel drive and the engine is now between us, so you notice that. The balance is so much better, it responds immediately when you steer and it has much more grip. It’s a T1+, really the best of the best. It feels lighter while it’s heavier. The Dakar has become much more technical and I think this is the right move at this time. Technology hasn’t stood still, this car is a big step forward.”
In addition to a new car for Tim and Tom, they are bringing another new vehicle to Saudi Arabia: the Corotel. Tom is pleased with its development, “It’s a hotel on wheels. During the Dakar Rally people still sleep a lot in tents and that’s not comfortable. The rally gets tougher every year, so good sleep is important. Almost all the top riders sleep in RVs for that reason. That’s why we built the Corotel to enable a better night’s sleep for every participant. In total there are six rooms, three of which we use ourselves and we rent out three of them.”
The Corotel is completely self-sufficient and carbon-neutral. “Together with our partners, we have made the Corotel completely ‘green.’ We have solar panels and batteries on board for power and 1,200 liters of water on board. By installing economical showers, among other things, we use very little water. We can even use power from the Corotel to power our technical container. In addition, trees are planted for all the emissions we do, ensuring that our carbon footprint is completely offset. That is important now and in the future.”
The Dakar Rally itself has not been idle either, it is the sixth edition in Saudi Arabia and the organization has introduced many novelties. From December 30, the starting camp in Bisha will be accessible, where inspections will take place on January 1 and 2. On January 3, the first official kilometers will follow with a prologue, followed by the start podium. From Bisha, the rally will head north to finish, via the Empty Quarter, in Shubaytah on January 17.
It is largely a new route, but within it the organization has also changed some elements compared to other editions. For example, at least 5 stages will have separate routes for bikes and cars and the 48-hour stage has been extended to 950 kilometers, spread over two days. Furthermore, the organization is adding some classic elements such as a marathon stage and a mass start. In short, all the ingredients are present for an exciting Dakar Rally.
Tim and Tom will drive with start number 237 on the doors of the Century CR7. It is the ninth time the brothers will be driving the Dakar Rally together. The goal for this Dakar Rally is a 15th to 20th position. The team will leave for the port of Barcelona on Tuesday to turn in all vehicles for the crossing to the Middle East.
Coronel Dakar Team is supported by: LKQ, Era, Optimal Mascot Workwear, MPM, Eru, JBL, 4Brands, Efulfilment, BS Forklifts, Toolspecial, FEBO, KeukenWarenhuis, Serengeti, Hella, DHG, FMS, Brondool, ChassisParts, Apple King, SuperB, P1, Copernica
