Less than a year ago, Romain Dumas was discovering the Dakar with Ecurie du Cœur (Team for Heart). It was a human and sporting adventure that the Alès, France native has chosen to continue the chapter opened in January 2015. The French driver will once again fly the colors of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque (who enables children with heart malformations to undergo surgery in France) in the next edition of the Dakar, which will be held in Argentina and Bolivia on January 3-16. While his co-driver will not change in the experienced François Borsotto, his car will : the pair will take on the challenges of the famous rally in a Peugeot 2008 DKR15+, directly entered by Dumas’ own RD Rallye Team, which acquired the car from Peugeot Sport.
A more ambitious return to the Dakar…
The 2015 Dakar made a big impact on Romain Dumas, who made his cross country rally debut in the event after showing his ecclectic tastes in racing with several « GT » rally successes and overall victory at Pikes Peak. The adventure was left unfinished, however, as the driver was forced to retire at the start of the 10th stage following a mechanical problem. The factory Porsche driver, who isn’t one to do « one offs » will be making his second consecutive start in 2016 with new objectives in mind. « Returning to the Dakar was one of my hopes but all the pieces of the puzzles had to come together. Along with the team and partners, we were able to accomplish this and I’m happy to be back at the starting line of this legendary race » he explains. « First of all, running it with my own team was an obvious decision in my eyes. Along with my official schedule with Porsche, we got in the habit of building big challenges for ourselves, in rallying or Pikes Peaks, for example. I wanted the team to experience the Dakar and I know this is the right atmosphere to grow the team. Next, I wanted to race in a car that is more competitive and that’s the case with the Peugeot 2008 DKR15+. Logically, I’m more ambitious, even if my first participation taught me one thing: expect the unexpected ! The goal is clearly to be at the finish and to strike when the moment is right. »
After a first test in France in October, Romain Dumas and the RD Rallye Team took possession of the 2008 DKR15+ this week at the Peugeot Sport workshops, where they received specific training on the machinery. The start of the Dakar is slated for January 3, following a prologue the day before, with the finished planned for January 16 in Rosario.
Eight children saved with Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque and MATMUT.
Romain Dumas’ Peugeot 2008 DKR15+ will fly the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque colors, an association which helps children with heart issues. Along with the MATMUT contest and through this Dakar participation, eight children suffering from cardiac malformations will be saved. « I was made aware of this cause and, along with Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, we formed a relationship starting last year. It continued in June for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and I’m proud to continue this partnership today » underlines Romain. « I said last year that the fighting spirit and solidarity are two very important values for me. This has not changed, as they are part of my education and I’m determined to fly the colors of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque high and proud. I know it’s nothing original, but it’s my way of being honest : during the Dakar, I will be fighting for those children and making sure people talk and know about them. I hope to make these children proud. »
« For the second consecutive year, Romain Dumas and MATMUT, renew their support of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque » declares Patrice Roynette, co-founder and co-President of Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque. « This partnership, within the context of this legendary cross-country rally, is an incredible chance for our organisation to grow its visibility and to spread its social mission : operate on and save children who suffer from cardiac malformations, from around the globe. A huge thank you ! »
About Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque.
Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, Enfants du Monde provides for children suffering from cardiac malformations and originating from underdevelopped areas of the world to be operated on in France when it is technically or financially not possible to do so in their own countries.
Hosted by volunteer families and with operations carried out in nine French cities (Angers, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Paris, Strasbourg, Toulouse and Tours), more than 2,500 children have already been helped since the Association’s creation in 1996 by Francine Leca and Patrice Roynette.