Founded in 2002, the Trebur, Germany-based X-raid team has enjoyed unprecedented success, winning 11 FIA World Cups for Cross-Country Rallies, three FIA World Cups for Cross-Country Bajas as well as six Dakar Rallies, the last of which was in 2021. In addition, X-raid has made its name by developing and building off-road rally vehicles for competition as well as for both sale and rent. These include classics such as the MINI JCW Buggy, the MINI JCW Rally and the MINI ALL4 Racing.
For the 2023 Dakar Rally, the X-raid team will be entering four teams, two of which will be competing in the MINI JCW Rally (T1+) all-wheel race, with the two remaining teams competing in the MINI JCW Buggy race. The MINI JCW Rally T1+ teams consist of: Jakub ‘Kuba’ Przygonski [driver] and Armand Monleón [co-driver] & Sebastian Halpern [driver] and Ronnie Graue [co-driver]. The MINI JCW Buggy race teams consist of: Sheikh Khalid Al-Qassimi [driver] and to be confirmed [co-driver] & Denis Krotov [driver] and Konstantin Zhiltsov [co-driver].
X-raid’s emphasis on sustainability, moreover, will be increasingly evident at the 2023 event. This is demonstrated by the use of second-generation HVO fuel in the T1+ category, a biodiesel that is made from sources such as used vegetable fats and plastic bottles. As a result, the fuel does not compete with food production like HVO1. Furthermore, the engine power in the near future will be regulated electronically, instead of with an air restrictor. Both of these actions will ultimately result in enormous CO2 savings.
“We are very happy to be teaming up with the X-raid team for the second year in a row at the 2023 Dakar Rally,” says Frank Massia, Director Marketing Aftermarket EMEA NGK SPARK PLUG EUROPE GmbH. “As one of motorsport’s classic and most formidable endurance races, the Dakar Rally lives up to the rich tradition of motorsport which our company has always been involved in. Together with the X-raid team, we are looking forward to contributing to the increased performance and sustainability of the vehicles competing at the event.”
The 45th edition of the Dakar Rally looks set to be the toughest one yet and will feature 14 different stages (two more than in 2022). In addition, 70 percent of the racetracks will be new. Beginning on the shores of the Red Sea and finishing on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula 18 days later, the coast-to-coast race will encompass almost 5.000 kilometres of Saudi Arabia.
First staged in 1978, the Dakar Rally is an annual off-road endurance event that has been held in a range of locations throughout Europe, Africa, South America and the Middle East. Featuring five competitive classes (motorcycles, quads, the cars class [ranging from buggies to small SUVs], UTVs, and trucks class), the 2023 ‘Dakar’ will take place in Saudi Arabia between 31 December 2022 and 15 January 2023.
January 2023
Following on from last year’s announcement regarding its upcoming English name change to ‘Niterra’, NGK SPARK PLUG is proud to reveal to the world its new Group and Corporate Logo. This will be officially adopted by the company in conjunction with the name change to ‘Niterra’, which will take place at the beginning of April 2023.
Read moreJanuary 2023
Following the 122nd Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders on 24 June 2022, NGK SPARK PLUG announces major news with its decision to change its English language company name to ‘Niterra’. World-renowned as an ignition, sensor and technical ceramics specialist, the Group rebrand reflects the journey which the company is currently on and will come into effect at the beginning of the company’s next fiscal year on 01 April 2023.
Read moreJanuary 2023
Following on from last year’s announcement regarding its upcoming English name change to ‘Niterra’, NGK SPARK PLUG is proud to reveal to the world its new Group and Corporate Logo. This will be officially adopted by the company in conjunction with the name change to ‘Niterra’, which will take place at the beginning of April 2023.
Read moreJanuary 2023
Following the 122nd Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders on 24 June 2022, NGK SPARK PLUG announces major news with its decision to change its English language company name to ‘Niterra’. World-renowned as an ignition, sensor and technical ceramics specialist, the Group rebrand reflects the journey which the company is currently on and will come into effect at the beginning of the company’s next fiscal year on 01 April 2023.
Read moreDecember 2022
NGK SPARK PLUG is proud to announce the renewal of its role as technical partner and sponsor to the X-raid motorsport team for the upcoming 2023 Dakar Rally. The news once again confirms the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist’s commitment to participating at several elite levels of motorsport.
Read moreDecember 2022
Following on from the success of its inaugural Esports Cup in 2022, NGK SPARK PLUG is excited to announce the renewal of the tournament in 2023. The SimRacing competition will take place in the first three months of the new year and will provide the company’s Social Media fans as well as ‘Generation Z’ gamers and mechanics with a fresh snapshot of the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist. The Esports Cup further strengthens the company’s involvement in online gaming and will be open to all gamers over the age of 16 and will take place on the ‘RaceRoom’ section of the gaming platform Steam.
Read moreDecember 2022
NGK SPARK PLUG is proud to announce the renewal of its role as technical partner and sponsor to the X-raid motorsport team for the upcoming 2023 Dakar Rally. The news once again confirms the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist’s commitment to participating at several elite levels of motorsport.
Read moreDecember 2022
Following on from the success of its inaugural Esports Cup in 2022, NGK SPARK PLUG is excited to announce the renewal of the tournament in 2023. The SimRacing competition will take place in the first three months of the new year and will provide the company’s Social Media fans as well as ‘Generation Z’ gamers and mechanics with a fresh snapshot of the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist. The Esports Cup further strengthens the company’s involvement in online gaming and will be open to all gamers over the age of 16 and will take place on the ‘RaceRoom’ section of the gaming platform Steam.
Read moreJune 2021
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD., the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist, is not only renowned for its excellent technology and innovative solutions in a variety of areas, but also for its business foresight. This has been demonstrated by its 2018 acquisition of CAIRE Inc., a global manufacturer of oxygen supply equipment, which is currently playing a key role in the global fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).
Read moreApril 2021
A super-efficient ‘workhorse’ and an ideal fleet-car with ever-decreasing emissions: These are just some of the advantages of diesel engines. World-leading ignition specialist NGK SPARK PLUG explains why diesel engines remain a valuable powertrain for the future and provides tips on how to keep them running smoothly.
Read moreJune 2021
NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD., the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist, is not only renowned for its excellent technology and innovative solutions in a variety of areas, but also for its business foresight. This has been demonstrated by its 2018 acquisition of CAIRE Inc., a global manufacturer of oxygen supply equipment, which is currently playing a key role in the global fight against coronavirus (Covid-19).
Read moreApril 2021
A super-efficient ‘workhorse’ and an ideal fleet-car with ever-decreasing emissions: These are just some of the advantages of diesel engines. World-leading ignition specialist NGK SPARK PLUG explains why diesel engines remain a valuable powertrain for the future and provides tips on how to keep them running smoothly.
Read moreNovember 2020
NGK SPARK PLUG, the world’s leading ignition and sensor specialist, is a company with its eyes set firmly on the future. By leveraging its expertise in ceramics to contribute to visionary ideas and enterprises such as commercial lunar exploration, the company is placing itself at the forefront of the mobility of tomorrow.
Read more