Author: norwitdakarracing

The Slovak crew of the Taurus T3 Max buggy, Martin Benko and Marek Sýkora, have completed (almost) half of the Greek competition.

For Martin Benko, as we have previously informed you, the Hellas Rally Raid 2025 is the first competition in the Taurus T3 Max buggy. The course of the competition so far indicates that Martin’s transition from a motorcycle to four wheels was successful. Without major problems, together with navigator Marek Sýkora, they completed the first two stages, only in the third they had minor problems that cost them about half an hour of loss.

“Today, in the third stage, we got a flat tire, which is nothing unusual, but when we were changing a wheel, our brand new jack suddenly broke. Fortunately, it didn’t hurt either of us. At the moment when the blow rang out, Martin and I looked at each other with the question in our eyes, “what now?” We solved it by having to knock over a tree and use it to make a lever, lift the car and put on a new wheel. I don’t understand why the brand new jack broke. As for the competition itself, it’s really tough, we don’t avoid rocks, but also riverbeds and, of course, fords. But all of that is part of such a competition. As we declared before the competition, we don’t look at the times achieved at all. “This is specifically about Martin gaining as much experience as possible after the transition to a four-wheeled vehicle,” said Marek Sýkora after the third stage.

Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, the competitors will face a so-called marathon stage, similar to the one we know from the Dakar Rally. The only difference here is that the competitors are entitled to a short service. After the marathon stage, there will be two more stages with the finish on Sunday.

We will inform you again about how the Slovak crew Martin Benko – Marek Sýkora and their Taurus T3 Max buggy fared.

They say that the perpetrator returns to the scene of the crime, and that is exactly what happened in the case of the Slovak NORWIT Racing Team, which started the African competition in front of the cameras of Teleran and returned here again today.

Surely all fans of long-distance rally competitions know that Martin Benko and Marek Sýkor achieved a wonderful result at the Africa Eco Race 2026, when they brought home to Slovakia second place in the SSV category. This success is also underlined by the fact that they were up against competition from all over the world. And they started this success in front of the cameras of the Marquesan Teleran, where they returned today.

Let’s remember what actually happened in Africa. The track measured more than six thousand kilometers, which were of course off-road, i.e. on gravel, stones, and sand dunes. The competitors visited three countries during the race – Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal. The weather at this year’s Africa Eco Race was a separate chapter, with severe cold and snow, heavy rains and sandstorms. On the other hand, there was also extreme drought and extreme temperatures, and even swarms of really big locusts and wild animals that moved freely around the track.

In long-distance competitions, the crew is actually made up of a well-coordinated trio: driver, co-driver and car. It must be said that each of these three got a lot of work done during the twelve stages. In the case of the crew, the only relief came during the night while sleeping, while in the case of the car itself, the mechanics came to the rescue, who took care of it from evening to morning after it reached the bivouac in a more or less broken state, while in the morning it was always waiting for Martin and Marek in perfect condition, ready to be broken down again during the day.

“It was challenging, but we knew what we were getting into. I have already completed Africa for the ninth time, eight of which were on a motorbike. It is clear that it is a little easier and safer in a car. I am really very happy that together with Marek we managed to achieve an excellent result. We have a lot of new experiences, but also other goals for the future,” said Martin Benko.

One thing is certain today. Martin Benko and Marek Sýkora, together with the Taurus T3 Max vehicle, the NORWIT Racing Team and the dedication of their mechanics, managed it all successfully, and Slovakia can be rightly proud of them. And all these events should also form the preparation for the Dakar Rally 2027. Of course, we will inform you about all the news in the NORWIT Racing Team during the season.