A former Miss Polonia is learning to drive a lorry so she can take part in the Monte Carlo-Dakar Africa Eco Race next year. Racy Marcelina Zawadzka has teamed up with seasoned Dakar drivers Jacek Czachor, Marek Dąbrowski and Grzegorz Baran to take on the 6,000km challenge which starts in January.
The 30-year-old has teamed up with seasoned Dakar drivers to take on the 6,000km challenge which starts in January.
The 30-year-old who has already passed the theoretical part of the driving exam but still needs to sit the practical exam to take part in the race told PAP Life: “I have dreamt about driving a truck for a long time, and went to the course a few months ago.
“I started it before I was offered to take part in the rally and now I have to speed up before the end of the course.”
Zawadzka will be sharing the cab with legendary Dakar racer Grzegorz Baran.
The Africa Eco Race has been taking place since 2009 after the original Paris-Dakar Rally was moved to safer routes in South America.
The trail takes competitors across harsh, desert conditions as they drive through Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal in lorries, rally motorcycles, off-road cars and quads.
Dakar racing ace Grzegorz Baran said: “I will watch over her. Anyone can be transported in the truck, but that’s not the point.
“The point is for her to drive and understand what such a rally is.
“She will definitely remember this adventure forever.”
The delighted 30-year-old said she had passed the first part of her driving test and is now looking to “speed up” in time for the race.
In addition to promoting crowd-funding website uratujecie.pl, run by Caritas Polska, the Polish team will be taking powered milk for sick and malnourished children.
Source: The First News/Image: Rafał Guz/PAP