Robert van Pelt, a veteran of the Dakar Rally on two and four wheels, passed away while competing in the Africa Eco Race. He was 66 years old, and would’ve celebrated his 67th birthday on Saturday when the race conducted its 12th and final stage.
Van Pelt was racing a Fantic alongside his son’s Husqvarna, both in the 450cc class. Robert Jr. said his father started feeling unwell during Stage 7 on Monday, then never regained consciousness.
Robert Sr. had been 44th overall after six stages, while his son had moved up to eighth upon completing the seventh leg. The younger van Pelt withdrew from the race soon after.
Born in 1959, van Pelt had competed in the Dakar Rally as a motorcycle rider, driver, and navigator. Although he retired from his debut in 1997, he recorded back-to-back top tens for production bikes in 1998 and 2000. 2009 saw his final Dakar on a bike before joining the Finstral Rally truck team in 2010. He placed 12th that year in a Mercedes-Benz Axor alongside Eddie Beeftink and Teun Stam.
In 2013, he became the navigator for Maik Willems and his Toyota Hilux. The tandem raced Dakar together until 2024, scoring a best overall finish of 24th in 2018, while also competing in events like the Silk Way Rally.
“Today you should have turned 67 and, as you used to call it, received your ‘first nice big fat state pension,’” Robert Jr. wrote on Saturday, referring to the AOW pension given out by the Dutch government. “We are currently working hard to bring you home as soon as possible so that the family can say goodbye. We’ll never forget your love for Ellen, the children, grandchildren, friends.
“Thank you for all the lessons, Dad.”
Featured image credit: Robert van Pelt Jr.
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