Martin Bonnet co-driver on the Dakar 2024: “The goal is the podium in our category”

Martin Bonnet et Xavier de Soultrait formeront l'équipe officielle Polaris. – DR

In Saudi Arabia, the Mendois will once again be the co-driver of Xavier de Soultrait within the Sébastien Loeb Racing-Bardhal Team. Their side-by-side vehicle (SSV) Polaris will start this Friday, January 5, 2024, during the prologue at the start and finish of Alula. Interview.

This is already your third participation in the Dakar Rally…

I did it for the first time, on a motorbike, in 2022. In 2023, I was the co-pilot of Xavier de Soultrait. We were entered with Sébastien Loeb Racing and Polaris. The main goal was to do tests on the vehicle. This year, we are leaving with even greater help from the Polaris factory in the United States, of which we will be the official team, always with the assistance of Sébastien Loeb Racing and with ;nbsp;big sponsors like Bardhal (American manufacturer of oils, lubricants and even maintenance products, Editor’s note). 

What is the difference between the SSV you had in 2023 and that of 2024 ?

Last year, we had an original vehicle, prepared in France, with a single focus on reliability. The objective was simply to finish the Dakar to collect data and develop the new machine (Martin Bonnet and Xavier de Soultrait finished 19th out of 39 in their category, Editor's note). There we start with a factory machine, which was manufactured in the USA. Over the past two months, Xavier has been to Minneapolis and Las Vegas for tests. Polaris then flew the vehicles directly to Saudi Arabia.

What are your objectives for this new edition ?

Polaris has invested heavily and has ambitions. The brand seeks performance. The goal is the podium in our SSV (side-by-side vehicle) category.

This year again, a Lozère team

Xavier de Soultrait, originally from Moulin (Allier) and Mendois Martin Bonnet, to be able to participate in the 2024 Dakar Rally, needed a license from the French Federation. ccedil;aise du sport motorsport (FFSA). This year again, the two friends took it with the Automobile Sports Association (ASA) of Lozère.

How did you prepare ?

We were unable to test our vehicle in Morocco as planned because it was not ready. So we went with a more standard machine. Which still allowed us to do a little navigation, communicate in the car and drive in the dunes. Our Polaris, on the other hand, is entered in desert races in the USA and takes the first places. To see if it will compete with the factory Can-Ams that have been winning the Dakar for several years. 

Navigation level, how do you feel ?

In Morocco, we had collected the road books from previous races. We have reworked the points regarding navigation in the dunes. I reread the road books from the last Dakars. I think it will go well. Above all, we will need good understanding in the car. We will have to find the right rhythm. To achieve a good result, we will also need more strategy.

So you are ready…

As a co-pilot, you are more easily ready. It's simpler than on a motorbike, especially physically. Last year, on the other hand, I was very ill for two days. On the dunes, it's the same sensation as at sea. This year, I'm going to use patches, which work very well, as pilots like Stéphane Peterhansel advised us. 

Martin Bonnet at the bedside of his SSV Polaris.

How did you feel about Xavier de Soultrait, in terms of piloting ?

This will be his eleventh Dakar. He has a vision of the dunes which is enormous. Depending on the wind, he knows where it is blowing. We feel his experience. When I throw a heading, he knows where the best pass is. It's rare that we waste time on dune crossing choices. He has the speed to play up front, but we'll have to put it in the right place. That's where he can count on me. 

Your understanding is also excellent…

We've known each other for years. When we were 17-18 years old, we were on the French enduro team together. We did races as a team. We represented France in Portugal at the European Championship. To find yourself in an official Polaris team, to play the leading roles, it's a huge opportunity. 

Basically, you are a motorcycle racer. Don't you want to take the handlebars again on the Dakar ?

We have to be honest, it's still very dangerous. The first year, I did it to finish. I didn't have too many scares. But just watching the others ride makes me sick to my stomach. They drive at 180 km/h in the middle of the desert with rocks… Now that I am a father of two children, for me, it's over.

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