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.
August 2023
Niterra, the world’s leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, has named David Loy, currently Vice President Aftermarket EMEA, as General Manager Global Aftermarket Business and Digital Platforms within the Mobility Business Company (MBC), which belongs to the company’s Japanese headquarters, effective as of 01 September 2023.
Read moreJuly 2023
Niterra, the world’s leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, has once again scored highly in its EMEA Aftermarket Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2023.
Read moreJuly 2023
Niterra, the world's leading ignition and automotive electronics specialist, has added more precious metal spark plugs to its already extensive range of aftermarket spark plugs. The nine new Laser Iridium references, most of which follow Niterra's OE business, cover vehicles from BMW, Citroen, Honda, Opel, Peugeot, Subaru and Toyota.
Read moreJune 2023
As the world's leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, Niterra (formerly NGK SPARK PLUG) announces the launch of its new exhaust and differential pressure sensors (EDPS). The addition of these sensors further strengthens the NTK Vehicle Electronics brand portfolio.
Read moreMay 2023
Niterra, the world's leading ignition and automotive electronics specialist, has expanded its aftermarket offering with 29 new state-of-the-art ignition coils for global automakers including Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota and Opel.
Read moreApril 2023
Niterra, the world’s leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, is pleased to announce the introduction of the brand NTK as a distinct brand in TecDoc. The move will see the uncoupling of products offered by the company’s NGK Ignition Parts and NTK Vehicle Electronics brands in TecDoc and the implementation of two separate TecDoc brand keys. Both brands have previously been listed under the brand NGK with the brand key 0015. While NGK will continue with brand key 0015, the NTK brand will be found under brand key 5414.
Read moreFebruary 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
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 moreAugust 2023
Niterra, the world’s leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, has named David Loy, currently Vice President Aftermarket EMEA, as General Manager Global Aftermarket Business and Digital Platforms within the Mobility Business Company (MBC), which belongs to the company’s Japanese headquarters, effective as of 01 September 2023.
Read moreJuly 2023
Niterra, the world’s leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, has once again scored highly in its EMEA Aftermarket Customer Satisfaction Survey in 2023.
Read moreJuly 2023
Niterra, the world's leading ignition and automotive electronics specialist, has added more precious metal spark plugs to its already extensive range of aftermarket spark plugs. The nine new Laser Iridium references, most of which follow Niterra's OE business, cover vehicles from BMW, Citroen, Honda, Opel, Peugeot, Subaru and Toyota.
Read moreJune 2023
As the world's leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, Niterra (formerly NGK SPARK PLUG) announces the launch of its new exhaust and differential pressure sensors (EDPS). The addition of these sensors further strengthens the NTK Vehicle Electronics brand portfolio.
Read moreMay 2023
Niterra, the world's leading ignition and automotive electronics specialist, has expanded its aftermarket offering with 29 new state-of-the-art ignition coils for global automakers including Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota and Opel.
Read moreApril 2023
Niterra, the world’s leading ignition and vehicle electronics specialist, is pleased to announce the introduction of the brand NTK as a distinct brand in TecDoc. The move will see the uncoupling of products offered by the company’s NGK Ignition Parts and NTK Vehicle Electronics brands in TecDoc and the implementation of two separate TecDoc brand keys. Both brands have previously been listed under the brand NGK with the brand key 0015. While NGK will continue with brand key 0015, the NTK brand will be found under brand key 5414.
Read moreFebruary 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
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 more