In the Trenches of Dakar: How Albert Horn and BBR Motorsport Engineered a 1–2–3 Finish
Inside the six-car challenge, data-driven systems, and relentless support behind BBR’s breakthrough 2025 performance.
📷 Images by: A.S.O./F.Le Floc/DPPI, A.S.O./F.Gooden/DPPI, A.S.O./Jennifer Lindini
The Sharp Edge of Support
the 2025 Dakar marked a different kind of challenge.
No longer in the drivers or co-driver’s seat, he was the unseen force behind every successful stage—a man whose battlefield was the bivouac, and whose tools were laptops, connectors, and a deep understanding of how electronics survive the desert.
From Enduro and Motocross racing in the ‘90s to engineering data platforms for Red Bull’s Off-Road Junior Team, Horn’s path reflects the evolution of modern rally-raid competition: personal, adaptive, and increasingly digital.
In 2025, BBR Motorsport reached new heights-achieving a complete podium sweep in the Challenger category of the Dakar Rally, with all three top spots claimed by their vehicles.
At a Glance: BBR Motorsport at Dakar 2025
| Category | |
|---|---|
| Vehicles Supported | |
| Lead System Engineer | |
| Best Result | |
| PLEX Displays Used | |
| Engine Platform | |
| Notable Feature |
Engineering the Taurus T3 Max for the Impossible
At the heart of BBR Motorsport’s success lies the Taurus T3 Max, a lightweight prototype cross-country vehicle born from a collaboration between Wevers Sport and MCE‑5—two leaders in off‑road engineering—with full FIA approval and factory-backed reliability.
With a 1.0L turbocharged direct-injection, three-cylinder engine delivering 177 horsepower and a weight of just 900 kg, the T3 Max is built to handle the extreme challenges of the world’s toughest rally-raid events. It is equipped with a tubular steel frame, a turbocharged VW TSI engine, advanced suspension components and high-end instrumentation.
“The development was done by the highest-level experts in Rally-Raid. It was a pleasure to be part of the team” says Horn.
With Albert Horn overseeing system integration, the T3 Max features:
- PLEX SDM-330® (DL) for the driver, with high-brightness daylight-readable display, auto-dimming, and logic-based alarms.
- PLEX SDM-550 ®, used as the logging backbone for post-stage analysis.
- A rugged open-cockpit layout, where IP rating, wiring reliability, and quick troubleshooting are mission critical.
“This vehicle features an open cockpit, making the IP rating a critical factor. Additionally, the display required exceptionally high brightness to remain readable in direct sunlight. I made the decision to use these specific displays, and all the experts trusted my judgment. Ultimately, everyone was pleased with the outcome.”
— Albert Horn
Data in the Dust: Horn’s Nighttime Office
Even world-class engineering demands constant oversight. And that’s where Albert Horn’s role truly shifted into overdrive.
“The displays log all the data—from engine behavior to crash impacts the drivers don’t even notice. I download everything from six cars, analyze what matters, and make sure they’re ready to go again. Most days I finish just before the sun comes up.”
In the unforgiving rhythm of the Dakar, days begin with 1,000km of dust and end with headlamps over laptops. Speed, physical endurance, and mechanical know-how are essential as breakdowns and flat tires are frequent. With speeds reaching 170kph, racers must stay alert to shiffting terrain – sand, rocks, mountains, and marshes– while avoiding navigational errors that lead to penalties or lost time.
For Horn, Dakar 2025 was a weeklong war with fatigue and failure margins:
– He was the sole technician handling all electrical systems across the six-vehicle fleet.
– Every evening, he ran diagnostics, downloaded data logs, and evaluated temperature curves, pressure trends and impact data—often overnight and outdoors.
– Issues were tackled not in workshops, but in windswept field camps at 4 a.m., without shelter, relying on intuition and technical precision
One Display, Countless Critical Decisions
The PLEX dashboards weren’t just chosen for visibility—they helped consolidate systems and reduce setup complexity:
- Pre-configured CAN profiles meant faster setup and fewer wiring complications.
- USB and WiFi access enabled in-field adjustments—no need to remove panels or run extra cables.
- Features like auto-dimming and logic-based alarms proved essential when you’re working under pressure, and under the stars.
“It’s often the small details—features like auto-dimming, USB logging, and the intuitive setup process. They may seem minor individually, but together they’ve consistently made a real difference in day-to-day use, especially when time and efficiency matter,” Horn says
Additionally, the IP67-rated aluminum enclosures protected the displays from dust, water, and impact. Inside, the architecture is designed to withstand sustained high-frequency vibration—typical of off-road terrain and long-distance rally stages—ensuring stable and reliable performance throughout the extreme demands of the Dakar Rally
“All Plex displays on this project, come fully equipped with connectors, pro-grade custom wiring harnesses and accessories for immediate operation. They offer one of the best price-to-value ratios in the industry and feature an exceptionally straightforward setup process,” Horn adds.
A Record-Setting Outcome
BBR Motorsport’s 2025 Dakar campaign was nothing short of historic.
The team dominated the Challenger class, with the top three positions being held by their teams.
– 1st place: Argentine duo Nicolás Cavigliasso (driver) and Valentina Pertegarini (navigator) clinched their first Dakar title together, and the second for Cavigliasso.
– 2nd Place: Gonçalo Guerreiro (Portuguese driver) and Cadu Sachs (Brazilian navigator)
– 3rd Place: Pau Navarro (Spanish driver) and Lisandro Sisterna (Argentine navigator)
In Challenger (T3) category, the overall victory was secured by the Argentine duo Nicolás Cavigliasso and Valentina Pertegarini. They completed the rally in a total time of 57 hours, 50 minutes, and 21 seconds, driving a Taurus T3 Max.
One of BBR’s T3 Max vehicles secured an impressive 13th place overall across all categories (Open Class UTV), proving their strength against the world’s best off-road competitors.
The winning T3 Max ran the entire rally:
- On its original shocks, gearbox, and cooling system
- With only one rear differential replaced as a precaution in Stage 10
The performance was not only mechanical—it was systematic, supported by the invisible work of Horn and his precision-driven setup.
Key Drivers Representing BBR Motorsport – Dakar 2025
BBR Motorsport entered the 2025 Dakar Rally with a strong lineup of talent, fielding six vehicles and playing a pivotal role in securing a full sweep of the Challenger category podium. Here are the standout contributors:
More Than a Race: The Dakar Mindset
Albert Horn describes the Dakar not just as an event, but as a condition: exhausting, all-consuming, yet impossible to resist. From behind the wheel to behind the scenes, he has experienced every role needed to drive a team through motorsport’s toughest challenges.
“The conditions are harsh, there’s no workshop, and everything happens fast. But when it works, when the data tells the story and the cars keep going—you know you’ve built something that matters.”
His journey from Hungary to the heart of one of the world’s most demanding races reflects the spirit, passion and innovation that fuel BBR’s Dakar ambitions.
About Albert Horn
Albert Horn began his off-road racing career in Enduro and Motocross, later becoming a rally navigator in 2000. His racing career includes work with top drivers and participation in the 2011 Dakar Rally. He developed his engineering skills, progressing from display programming to system engineering. Since 2023, he has played a key role in the development and refinement of the Taurus T3 Max with BBR Motorsport, blending his racing intuition with deep technical knowledge.
About BBR Motorsport
BBR Motorsport, founded in 2018 by Loïc Bonnevie, has evolved from a passion project into a full-fledged company that designs, builds, and supports competitive off-road vehicles. Today, BBR Motorsport, based in France provides full-service support for crews taking on some of the most challenging terrains in the world. Under Bonnevie’s leadership, the team has achieved significant wins, including at the Rallye du Maroc and Dakar Rally.
About Wevers & MCE-5
Based in the Netherlands, Wevers Sport has established a strong reputation in rally racing, offering full motorsport support—including engine, gearbox, differential, and suspension development, as well as setup and testing—and stands as a leading name in motorsport support and parts distribution. MCE-5, a French company with over 22 years of expertise, is recognized for excellence in engine engineering. Their collaboration resulted in the Taurus T3 Max, which—within a year—became the most competitive vehicle in the World Rally-Raid Championship.
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