Erik Van Loon tested positive before leaving for Saudi Arabia and therefore was unable to travel to Jeddah, where the Dakar 2022 will start on Saturday. A real shame, since his preparation was excellent, because he had the opportunity to anticipate new T1 + regulation. Van Loon had driven the new Toyota Hilux in several races, so he had a potential advantage over the competition.
Van Loon’s team and car were already waiting in Saudi Arabia, where Bernhard Ten Brinke also arrived in recent days. The former Toyota Gazoo Racing driver was chosen as a reserve in the event of a positive result from one of the official team members.
When Giniel de Villiers got stuck with a positive test, Ten Brinke then flew to Arabia alongside Kris Meeke, who was his alternative for Toyota. However, the South African veteran was negativized and left for Jeddah, so he should be regularly competing.
Ten Brinke is therefore free to compete in van Loon’s place and Motorsport.com has learned that the deal with his new team has been reached rather quickly. Ten Brinke will then get on the new Hilux with the notes Sebastien Delaunay, trusted navigator of van Loon.
“Thanks to Erik’s positivity I was given the opportunity to participate in the Dakar 2022,” wrote Ten Brinke in a short statement on his social media. “Despite having minimal preparation, I will give everything to have a successful Dakar together with co-driver Sebastien Delaunay. I wish Erik van Loon all the best and thank him for this opportunity.
Ten Brinke is expected to kick off with the same livery as van Loon, although there may be some variation at the sponsor level according to Motorsport.com.
# 313 Erik van Loon, Sebastien Delaunay, Overdrive Racing
Photo: Van Loon Racing
#Dakar #Positive #Van #Loon #Ten #Brinke #replaces