With our passion for correct and safe driving, and through our strong partnerships, we aim to highlight our “Mobility” project. Together with the Romanian Motorsport Federation (FRAS), we want to promote our values and share our experiences, as well as those of our collaborators, regarding responsible and safe driving.
From promoting responsible traffic behavior to encouraging a positive attitude towards road safety, our “Mobility” project aims to bring positive changes to our community and to foster mutual respect among all road users.
Through the epic journey known as the Dakar Ice Challenge, to the ice circuit in Levi, Finland, and in close collaboration with FRAS, we are committed to promoting not only performance and passion for motorsport, but also our fundamental values: safety, responsibility, and respect for traffic rules.
Thus, every article, every adventure, and every shared experience becomes an opportunity to inspire and educate, bringing the importance of correct driving and our values to the forefront. We want to make a positive difference in our community and contribute to a safer and more responsible mobility for all road users.
After delighting us and the motorsport spectators and enthusiasts with Porsche vehicles at competitions organized by FRAS, in January they amazed us with a unique experience: the “Dakar ICE Challenge.”
With 29 years of driving experience, 2,300,000 km driven, 300,000 of which were in a Porsche, and after winning the Râșnov trophy in April 2023 in the hill climb competition for “the most consistent performance during the timed heats,” Mihai Zaman – a member of Porsche Club România, embarked on a journey with his wife, Carmen, in their Porsche 911 Dakar, on the following route:
Porsche Center Bucharest – Porsche ICE Experience in Levi, Finland.
Over 8,600 km at extreme temperatures, some as low as -33 degrees Celsius, 127 active driving hours over 15 days of adventure, 8 countries on the way there and 8 on the way back, and not a single error on board the Porsche 911 Dakar.
Specifically, on January 3rd, they set off on the adventure called the Dakar Ice Challenge. Starting from January 13th, for 5 days, they participated in the Porsche Ice Experience on the world’s largest ice circuit. The Romanian Motorsport Federation was a partner in the Dakar ICE Challenge adventure through Claudiu David and Alexandru Pițigoi, who closely trained Mihai Zaman.
On every journey, hidden challenges can offer valuable lessons and unforgettable memories. For them, it was a multifaceted challenge, but also an opportunity to experience the adrenaline and beauty of long-distance driving in extreme conditions.
Carefully calculating every detail of their route, they considered the daily kilometers to be covered, keeping in mind the deadline to reach Levi. The weather forecasts and agricultural strikes were also important factors, and adapting to these changes was essential. In Germany, they encountered a mobilization of tractors that threatened to block their path, so they had to be prepared for any obstacle.
Preparing the car for the extreme conditions of the Nordic countries was another crucial stage. Together with the Porsche service center, they ensured the car was properly prepared for the frost, and consulting trusted suppliers for anti-freeze solutions and other necessary accessories was imperative. With only one trunk and limited cargo capacity, they had to make a careful selection of the necessary clothes and equipment.
During the journey itself, they were met with unusual temperatures and unique situations. However, daily technical checks and a deep knowledge of the car helped them overcome every obstacle safely and efficiently. The other road users in the countries they crossed were exemplary in their behavior, offering help and being understanding of their adventure in a sports car.
The valuable information obtained from the courses held by Claudiu David was fundamental to the success of their journey. Starting with risk management, the correct driving position, steering technique, and continuing with the important lesson on braking, understeer, and oversteer, all of these contributed to making Mihai and Carmen’s driving experience pleasant and easy. With a distance of 8,600 kilometers to cover in extreme winter conditions and with a high-performance sports car, the Porsche 911 Dakar, knowledge of the correct driving method and strict adherence to instructions were essential.
The Porsche ICE Experience was a lesson in safety and correct vehicle operation, conducted on a slippery surface. From putting the car into a drift to maintaining control in the most difficult situations, they learned how to adapt and drive correctly and safely in all conditions.
In a word, the experience of Mihai and his wife Carmen can be described as “adaptation.” Flexibility and openness to new experiences, along with strict adherence to information and recommendations, were the key to success in this epic journey.
Nearly a quarter-century of experience and over 300,000 kilometers driven in a Porsche contributed to making their adventure to the Ice Circuits of Finland a demonstration of passion, determination, and respect for the art of driving.
To many more
