Brp

He hasn't been involved in rally-raid for very long, but Marek Goczal is already one of the top contenders in the SSV class, having come eighth and fourth in his two Dakars to date. The 47-year-old has been racing since he was a teenager, winning a national title in classic rally and competing in quads, but at the time he couldn't afford to pursue a career in motorsport. Instead he focused on business and became a successful entrepreneur, with a portfolio that includes Poland's biggest nightclub (Energy2000) and its biggest theme park (Energylandia). A few years ago, Marek decided to get back into motorsport and began competing in cross-country events with his younger brother Michal. They set up the Energylandia Rally team and eventually worked their way up to a first Dakar participation in 2021. Marek came eighth that year with highly experienced co-driver Rafal Marton, and will actually be lining up with Rafal's son Maciej for Dakar 2023. A talented navigator, Maciej has already done the Dakar on seven occasions, finishing as high as third in the SSVs with Aron Domzala in 2021. It promises to be a memorable edition for the Goczal family, with Michal also taking part and Marek's 18-year-old son Eryk making his highly anticipated debut. Throughout 2022, Marek and co-driver Lukasz Laskawiec enjoyed a superb battle with Austin Jones and Rokas Baciuska in the World Rally-Raid Championship, eventually finishing second to the Lithuanian. Having also been pipped to third place by Baciuska at Dakar 2022, despite five stage wins, Marek now feels he is ideally prepared to claim a first Dakar podium - where he hopes to be joined by his brother and son.