Team
Vehicle
| FIA homologation | Cross Country T2 |
| Engine | 4.8l petrol |
| Power | 285hp |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Fuel tank | 290l |
| Weight | 2550 kg |
Next Milestones
- August 2026: Completion of the rally car builds
- September-October 2026: testing
- End of November 2026: Technical scrutineering in Barcelona, shipping of the cars to Saudi Arabia
- End of December 2026: Team flies to Saudi Arabia, final technical inspections
- January 2027: Race time!
Our Story
At the age of 9, Péter received a small Dakar Pajero toy car from his father. Playing in the sandbox, he made a decision: one day, he would compete in the Dakar Rally.
As the years passed, Péter grew up and opened his own tire and car service shops. Fifteen years ago, he reached Africa for the first time with the Budapest-Bamako Rally, where he later became a three-time category winner. He then entered the Baja 4000 in Mexico three times, and in 2019, he stood on the top step of the podium.
In the last 5–6 years, Péter focused on building touring and rally cars for others. But in 2024, during a workshop cleaning, that childhood toy car resurfaced. His teammates said: “This is a sign. Now is the time to build the Dakar car.” They purchased an old Mitsubishi Pajero and within six months – working late nights after daily shifts – they turned it into a rally machine.
Meanwhile, András built his career first in telecommunications and later as an IT entrepreneur, while his passion for cars remained a vacation indulgence — every trip had to include some kind of wild driving adventure. Over time that hobby turned serious: he began taking part in off-road rallies across Africa, where he met Péter. Though they started out as competitors, their shared mindset quickly turned into friendship, and for the Dakar they decided to join forces.
Due to their tight budget, Tireman Racing entered the 2025 Dakar Cassic without a service crew or motorhome. Rivals predicted they would last no more than one or two days. But Péter and András, proved them wrong: Driving 500–800 kilometers per day, repairing the car at night, and sleeping in a small tent beside their vehicle. While factory teams had coaches, masseurs, mental trainers, and huge support trucks, the they had only had each other. There were days when they finished as high as 9th out of a 100-car field. On the penultimate stage, disaster struck: the Pajero rolled in the dunes, stopped on its nose, and caught fire. Péter broke his leg and ribs – but they refused to give up. That night, they rebuilt the car, and with painkillers, they crossed the final finish line. In the end, even the doubters stood and applauded. They finished 19th in the Classic H2 category.
In 2026, they aimed even higher, entering the elite Stock category. This was the battleground of factory giants: Toyota with two cars and Land Rover Defender with three cars and Stéphane Peterhansel, the 14-time Dakar winner himself. Meanwhile, Tireman Racing arrived with a rally car built from two wrecked Nissan Patrols in a small workshop by just a few people, supported by a small service van instead of a massive factory trucks.
Once again, many doubted how long the small private team could survive against the world’s most powerful manufacturers. But Péter, András, and their team proved them wrong. They completed the 2026 Dakar Rally in sixth place in the Stock category, finishing as the best private team behind the factory-backed Defender and Toyota teams. On one of the stages, they even crossed the finish line ahead of 14-time Dakar winner Stéphane Peterhansel.
Now, Tireman Racing is preparing for its biggest challenge yet. In 2027, the team will return to the Dakar with four cars: two competing in the Stock category and two in the Dakar Classic. The team will be larger than ever, and a new service truck will replace the tiny van that supported their previous campaign.
What began with a small Dakar Pajero in a sandbox has grown into a four-car rally team preparing to compete against the biggest names in motorsport. The scale may have changed, but the spirit remains the same: build with your own hands, never give up, and prove that perseverance can challenge even the strongest factory teams.
Partners
Dakar 2026
Dakar Classic 2025
