Punishing terrains, extreme climate and endurance conditions, stages covering 9,000km over 13 days in front of 4.6 million spectators, 1,200 hours of TV coverage across 190 countries, hundreds of competitors from all over the world, cars, bikes, quads and trucks. The Dakar Rally is known to all as the toughest of motorsport events, and for very good reason.

At an official press conference for the event in Paris on 22 March, Motul’s involvement over recent years was raised to the next level with confirmation that it has been named as official lubricant partner to the event which celebrates its 40th edition in 2018.

Through its partnerships, Motul achieved 2017 success with factory teams in two categories: T2 with Toyota Auto Body and SSV with Polaris Xtremeplus. These successes add to the long roll call of Dakar victories, the highlight being the 1989 win in the Bikes category for the Honda Factory Racing team that carried Motul’s colors. This enduring relationship with the Honda Dakar team saw Motul maintaining support for the factory squad this past January, a favorite in the bike category.

Motul has been working for several weeks with the ASO team to finalize its 360° activation plan for the Dakar, beginning with the 2018 edition. The plan will be unveiled in several months’ time, and will contain a strong focus on the numerous fans of the Dakar as well as its competitors. The latter will benefit from the use of Motul’s Motorsport Line (cars) and Factory Line (motorcycles) product ranges, from among which is 300V, the engine oil with proven performance and reliability specially developed for the extremes of motorsport competition.

During the weeks of the event itself, competitors will be able to count on the advice and expertise of Motul’s Motorsport Technical Team which usually works in MotoGP, WSBK and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and which, for the Dakar, will be present at every bivouac.