Kamena Rally Team drops 2026 Dakar Classic recap

April 5, 2026

Kamena Rally Team made its Dakar debut in January, but the SSV team eschewed the Rally for the Classic with the legendary DAF Bull. While regularity is much different from the speed- and time-based format they’re used to, Tomasz Białkowski made history by posting the best performance for a truck in the Classic’s history.

On Sunday, the team premiered a 28-minute documentary detailing the effort. It was produced and directed by Maciej Motylewski of Motylarnia88.

The Bull was Jan de Rooy’s truck that he raced in the 1985 Paris–Dakar Rally, finishing second in Truck. Białkowski explains in the video that its aggressive silhouette and twin-engine layout piqued his interest, culminating in Team de Rooy lending it to him and a grand reveal video starring the late Polish Air Force demo pilot Maciej Krakowian. The team had a tribute decal to “Slab” inside the truck and dedicated the documentary to him.

Although trucks are typically outclassed by cars, the Bull put up a masterclass. Białkowski won Stage 3 for the Classic outright, becoming the first truck driver to win a stage overall in either the Rally or Classic. Late mechanical issues hampered his pace, but he still finished ninth overall, the first time a truck scored a top ten in the Classic.

“This is definitely one of the biggest dreams of my life,” said Białkowski. “The ramp was incredible. When we drove in and I saw our whole team from Poland, our friends who accompanied us on this rally, on the Dakar, tears almost welled up in my eyes. That feeling when they handed out the awards, it was very nice that we were all together on that ramp. It amplified the feelings.

“The sight of white-and-red flags at that moment increased the sentimental value much more. We were very proud Poles who achieved something very unique. Seeing the white-and-red flag on the ramp, that’s what every Pole, every rally driver is fighting for.”

With Dakar out of the way, Kamena’s focus for the rest of 2026 is on the FIA World Baja Cup with their usual Polaris RZR. Białkowski finished fifth in SSV at the opening Saudi Baja and fourth at the Jordan Baja. Kamena has not revealed their plans for the 2027 Dakar, while DAF de Rooy Classics intends to field multiple trucks in the Classic.