[Case Study] DAKAR 2025: A New Challenge for Poclain AddiDrive and JLC Racing Assistance Truck
For the fifth consecutive year, Jean-Luc Ceccaldi and his JLC Racing team have entered the Dakar 2025, joining other participants on the Red Sea shores in AlUla at an XXL bivouac. In this sixth edition in Saudi Arabia, competitors covered 8000 km between Bisha and Shubaytah. Since Friday, January 3, 2025, teams have faced the terrain's challenges and overcame mechanical obstacles. They had 12 stages to complete before reaching the finish in Shubaytah on January 17!
Competing in the top category: Ultimate
This year, Jean-Luc Ceccaldi teamed up for his fifth Dakar with a new co-driver, Delphine Delfino, who has been participating in rally-raids since 2017, with three Dakars to her credit. They competed in the top "Ultimate" category with a 4x2 Optimus buggy, facing significant challenges in this 2025 edition. Mechanical issues began as early as the 2nd stage, the "48-hour chrono" special: no power steering, no hydraulic jack... Damage to the buggy accumulated day by day, but the team remained in the race. Thanks to Jean-Luc Ceccaldi's repair skills, they always managed to reach the bivouacs where JLC Racing's mechanics took over and performed miracles every night. Despite the major breakdowns, team #207, with unwavering support from their assistance team, never gave up. They finished the Dakar in 24th position in the last Ultimate stage and 42nd in the overall ranking. However, they were not considered finishers according to Dakar regulations due to penalties during the "48h Chrono".
This Dakar was really tough. I think we reached the limit in terms of difficulties
Poclain AddiDrive approved for Dakar 2025
Once again, JLC Racing's support truck traveled from bivouac to bivouac. Onboard, the mechanics Nico and Bryan, led by Patrick, welcomed the exhausted crew every evening and took over for long hours of mechanical work. The Mercedes Arocs 6x6 was also heavily used during the Dakar. The HAD system, Hydraulic Assist Drive, factory-installed by the manufacturer, had already convinced Jean-Luc Ceccaldi last year. This is why he had Poclain AddiDrive approved by the Dakar organizers, whose regulations require support trucks with a 6x6 all-wheel-drive transmission.
This approval is a wonderful opportunity to once again demonstrate the remarkable performance of this Poclain solution in extreme conditions, on the toughest terrain possible: sand. The traction of Poclain hydraulic motors in the front axle ensures the truck retains its traction at all times. Compared to support trucks equipped with permanent all-wheel drive, the AddiDrive system, with its disengageable front mechanical axle, offers many advantages : with no impact on ground clearance, it allows for increased payload, minimized fuel consumption, and reduced turning radius.
Performance recognized by construction professionals
If the AddiDrive solution has caught the attention of competitors on rally-raid tracks, it's not without reason! Construction professionals have been praising this solution, particularly suited to the extreme conditions of construction sites, for over 20 years: reduced CO2 impact, enhanced traction, quick return on ownership costs, and the ability to use standard trailers.
For more information, contact us!
Do you want to follow Jean-Luc and Delphine's adventures as if you were there?
Visit the JLC Racing Facebook page live from the bivouacs! https://www.facebook.com/jlcracing68
Visit the Dakar website: https://www.dakar.com/en and the #207 team page https://www.dakar.com/en/competitor/207
