12th
February 2009 - WABCO Supplies
Dakar 2009 Truck Winner with High Performance Braking Technology
WABCO
Holdings, a global technology leader and tier-one supplier to the
commercial vehicle industry, today announced that WABCO is a long term
supplier to the KAMAZ-Master team of heavy duty trucks providing its
most advanced, high performance braking technology. KAMAZ-Master, the
Russian national off-road truck rally team, recently won Dakar 2009, the
world’s most challenging endurance rally.
Equipped
with WABCO’s high air delivery performance compressors,
WABCO Tristop® Cylinders,
one of the most reliable piston-type spring brake cylinders on the
market; and WABCO foot and hand brake valves, KAMAZ-Master trucks
finished in first, second and fourth place at Dakar 2009, an
unprecedented three positions in the first four places. Dakar 2009
marked the eighth time that KAMAZ-Master is the winner of the Dakar
competition. WABCO has been supplying KAMAZ-Master trucks for more than
10 years.
“KAMAZ-Master is universally recognized as one of the world’s best teams
in commercial truck sports. Staying at the top of major international
championships year after year requires excellent teamwork and
superlative vehicle performance,” said Semyon Yakubov, General Manager
of KAMAZ-Master Team. “WABCO helps keep KAMAZ-Master in the winner’s
circle by contributing outstanding quality and reliability in its
products and services on a continual basis.”
With its
start and finish in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dakar 2009 was the rally’s
first competition in South America. The two-week route covered more than
9,500 kilometers (5,903 miles) in 15 stages throughout Argentina and
Chile, crossing the Andes Mountains at an elevation of 4,000 meters
(13,123 feet) and navigating the Atacama Desert, reputedly the world’s
the most arid.
Formed in 1988, KAMAZ-Master
team represents KAMAZ, the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles
in the Russian Federation. WABCO began supplying KAMAZ in 1992 and
currently provides anti-lock braking systems, electronically controlled
air suspension, as well as components for brake and gear box control. On
its 20th anniversary in July 2008, KAMAZ-Master honored WABCO with a
“Reliable Partner” award for continuous commitment to further enhance
the team’s performance.
“We congratulate the KAMAZ-Master
drivers and crew on their top standings in Dakar 2009. We also admire
their track record of performance excellence on the world’s sport truck
stage,” said Nikhil Varty, WABCO Vice President, Compression and
Braking. “We are proud of WABCO’s long-standing partnership with KAMAZ
and the KAMAZ-Master team. Their continued world championship success
with heavy duty trucks is a showcase for WABCO braking products in
probably the most extreme and competitive conditions known to the
commercial vehicle industry.”
About WABCO
WABCO Vehicle Control
Systems (NYSE: WBC) is a leading supplier of safety and control systems
for commercial vehicles. For over 140 years, WABCO has pioneered
breakthrough electronic, mechanical and mechatronic technologies for
braking, stability, and transmission automation systems supplied to the
world’s leading commercial truck, trailer, and bus manufacturers. With
sales of $2.6 billion in 2008, WABCO is headquartered in Brussels,
Belgium
Source:
WABCO Holdings Press Release