Watching the biggest ever jump by a truck in a Dakar Rally it becomes clear why these vehicles are so popular with fans. Their spectacular manoeuvres over any type of surface make them worthy winners of the Kings of the Competition title.

Thanks to their astonishing 1.000 hp and despite their 10-ton average weight, they can negotiate pretty much any situation that the legendary rally throws at them.    

 [kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zILv2SPF3x0” ]

No terrain is off-limits. These mechanical monsters make surfing dunes, crossing rivers or going up and down steep mountains seem like a walk in the park.

But, of course, all of that wouldn’t be possible without the skill and courage, and sometimes the recklessness, of their drivers. Their thirst to be the first crossing the chequered flag has them starring in some of the best Dakar duels of all times.

Kamaz ‘Airlines’

The following video, where you can see one of these monsters crossing the sky for a few seconds, is thebiggest ever jump by a truck in a Dakar Rally. This flight of the ‘Russian plane’ is truly astonishing.

[kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PRQgjV3m3E” ]

In the clip above you can see how the blue ‘missile’ takes off after driving into a small mound. Subsequently, it moves for a few seconds through the air before making an extraordinary landing. The public at the scene cannot believe their eyes. 

Perhaps the secret behind this jump has to do with its sponsor: As everyone knows Red Bull gives you wings. No reason why the slogan wouldn’t apply to those dessert mammoths. So, what do you think about biggest ever jump by a truck in a Dakar Rally?

Kamaz: The Tsars of the Dakar

The Kamaz trucks are to date the most successful in the Rally’s history. 17 Dakar trophies adorn their headquarters in the city of Náberezhnye Chelný (Republic of Tatarstan). Fourteen of those trophies were conquered after the year 2000, making them the undisputable Tsars of the 21st Century.

[kad_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/G0WbU_ABg9U” ]

The Kamaz also have the honour of having had amongst their ranks the driver with the most individual titles: Vladimir Chagin and his seven crowns (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011).

 The Dakar trucks

The truck category of the Dakar was created in 1999. Until that time they were included in the heavy vehicles’ category. Although they have been present at the event since its inception, their logistic and sporting functions have evolved.

[kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73VxTPOVYew” ]

During the first years, they served as support vehicles within the teams. They were used to transport the equipment and materials for the maintenance and repair of the competing vehicles. Some teams then started extending those operational functions to other more competitive ones, marking the start of a fascinating era.

[kad_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek421noCeJI&t=155s” ]

During the 80s some of the prototypes were designed with a reckless mix of power and features. A case that stands out is that of the 1,200 hp truck which overtook a car in the 1988 edition. After several accidents, however, such fast and dangerous vehicles were banned.

The maximum speed currently allowed for their category is 140 km / h. But that regulation has not made the competition any less spectacular or prevented us from enjoying the biggest ever jump by a truck on a Dakar Rally.