The 2025 Taklimakan Rally paused for a final rest day on Thursday, giving teams a brief moment to strategize before tackling the decisive stages in Makit County, Kashgar Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As crews prepare to navigate the vast dune fields, the stakes have never been higher.
Family Dynamics Drive Buggyra Racing Team Forward
Martin Koloc, principal of the Buggyra Racing Team and a two-time European truck-racing champion from the Czech Republic, shared insights into his unique role supporting his daughter, Aliyyah Koloc, in her rally debut.
“I own the team, handle technical aspects, test the car for Aliyyah, and oversee all responsibilities,” Koloc said. “Aliyyah’s twin sister is her performance engineer, so we operate like a family. I understand her driving style, which helps me fine-tune the car setup for optimal performance. She’s improving every day, and we’re making progress together.”
Engineering Synergy at Shaanxi Yunxiang Club
Connor Jones, an engineer for Shaanxi Yunxiang Club, highlighted the collaboration between the technical team and driver Liu Yangui.
“My role is to analyze data after each stage and ensure the car performs at its peak,” Jones said. “Liu is an exceptional driver who maximizes the vehicle’s potential. The car’s performance has been strong, and he’s driving it to its limits, which is exactly what we aim for.”
Data-Driven Strategies with Wuhai Speedrush Club
Returning for his second Taklimakan Rally, Ian Davies, engineering director of Wuhai Speedrush Club, is leveraging past experience to refine the team’s approach.
“As engineering director and race engineer, I focus heavily on performance optimization,” Davies said. “Having multiple cars and drivers allows us to cross-reference data and create an ideal setup. Returning to the same locations this year has been invaluable—it lets me compare 2024 and 2025 data, which has been incredibly insightful.”
As the rally enters its final sprint, teams are working tirelessly to enhance both driver performance and vehicle capabilities. The ultimate test of endurance racing awaits them in the challenging terrains of Xinjiang’s desert.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
