Sons of Dakar veteran Josef “Beppo” Loder to take part in the 2024 Dakar Rally
The adventurous spirit and pioneering spirit of Josef “Beppo” Loder, a member of the victorious BMW Motorrad Team at the 1985 Dakar Rally, is now being picked up by his sons Max and Laurence Loder . The brothers will follow in their father’s footsteps and take part in this year’s Dakar Rally.
In 1985, Josef Loder (Odelzhausen LK Dachau) took part in the race in a Puch G as an Assistance Rapide for the BMW Motorrad Team. The Assistance Rapide vehicles were designed to be in the race, but to be there quickly to help motorcycles or riders if necessary.
Max and Laurence Loder felt very inspired by their father’s stories as well as the close friendships and adventures of that time. Last year, the two decided to recreate their father’s vehicle as faithfully as possible to honor the achievements and spirit of the past.
With the support of experienced racing colleague and former BMW Formula 1 technician Achim Grauert, the car was painstakingly rebuilt from scratch in 10 months. No expense or effort was spared – the siblings even had an elaborate conversion from a five-door body to the original three-door variant carried out. Less than three days before the technical acceptance test in Barcelona, the G was successfully completed. A fun fact: The vehicle that was used at the time was identical to the Mercedes G except for the logo, but under the circumstances at the time, a Mercedes was out of the question for BMW.
The brothers will tackle the demanding 8000 kilometres through the Saudi Arabian desert in January 2024, taking on the rigours of the Dakar Rally in the process. A return to the roots of off-road racing, the experience of adventure and the spirit of the Dakar Rally are at the heart of their project.
Shortly before leaving for Barcelona, some members of the team from back then came together to inspect the tribute. Among them: Dietmar Beinhauer – legendary team principal of BMW-Motorrad 1980-1986, Josef Loder and Alois Schnek congenial pilots of the 2 Puch 280GE in the BMW Paris -Dakar Team 1985, Georg Gattinger Petershaus LK Dachau, – truck racing driver (1985 on a MAN in the BMW team and back in 2024 Dakar)
From left to right: Achim Grauert, Josef Loder, Alois Schnek, Dietmar Beinhauer, Georg Gattinger
The Dakar Rally has changed over the last 39 years, but the basic principles have remained the same: reaching the finish line is more important than placing. Beppo Loder, the proud father, hopes to be able to embrace his two sons unharmed in Yanbu on January 20, 2024. The family history of the Loders is thus continued in the annals of the Dakar Rally.
For further information and press enquiries, please contact:
Name of contact person: Maximilian Loder
Position of the contact person: Manager
E-mail address: maximilian.loder@delta4x4.com
Phone: 08134/93020
Company name: delta Geländesport und Zubehör Handels GmbH
Address: Dorfstrasse 20 85235 Pfaffenhofen an der Glonn/Unterumbach
Website: www.delta4x4.com
