It’s been a few days since Olga Lounová sent an invitation to the film Život je Dakar, which she co-created during her first participation in the rally. And among the recipients was Aleš Loprais, her friend, Karl’s nephew and himself a 19-time participant in the race. After a few hours, her phone rang and it was him on the other end.
“You reminded me. We have now lost the navigator for Dakar. Don’t you want to go?” asked Loprais.
Lounova sharpened her wits and inquired: “Like for which year?”
“Now for January,” was the surprising reply.
A moment of breathing and then Lounova’s approval. Although she already had a fairly full diary, and also has a two-year-old daughter Arianne, she did not hesitate. “I originally wanted to drive an Opel Ascona, but it didn’t work out. when Aleš called, I was in the car with my sister, we were talking about how sorry I was. It’s such a miracle of life. It couldn’t be refused, because normally you prepare for the Dakar for a year, it’s an incredible amount of work to get the money and the team. And then someone calls you that they have it ready,” the 43-year-old artist and rally competitor recounts.
Jan Čermák’s health problems are behind the whole “ball lightning” event. The current owner of TV Barrandov was a member of the winning crew of Karel Lopraise in 1998 and now he was supposed to return to the Dakar in the winning Puma as a navigator.
Although Aleš Loprais will compete in the truck category with the Iveco brand, his family team is sending two cars to the veteran class, which does not follow the same route as the main race, – a Puma and a Fireman. “I opened the bottle, drank it and then called Aleš that it was not possible,” says Čermák.
And with that he released the seat for Lounova.
Photo: Roman Vondrouš, CTK
Aleš Lopraise’s team at the press conference for the Dakar Rally. Jan Čermák, who was replaced in the crew by Olga Lounová, far left. On the right next to Lounová is Igor Pazdera, who will drive Tatra Puma.
“Aleš fulfilled a lifelong dream for my dad, who loves the Loprais team and the Dakar. We watched the race where we could. Dad lies in it all the time, plus he’s a trucker because he has a trucking business. So hopefully he will remain enthusiastic even after the race, because driving in such a car for a team with such a tradition is binding and I hope I won’t embarrass myself. The advantage is that I have already completed one Dakar, because for the first time you are there like Alice in Wonderland,” explains Lounová, who will navigate Igor Pazdera.
The rally starts on January 3rd, the Czechs traditionally depart on a joint flight on December 30th, and Lounová has a performance on New Year’s Eve. He is thus trying to get other tickets, possibly canceling the concert, similar to the ones in January, and moving the filming. That too is a tax for a quick decision.
She is looking for accommodation for a family that will accompany her in Saudi Arabia, and above all help with the care of her two-year-old daughter. “I will do a double Dakar – during the day by car and in the evening on my breast with Ariana, whom I am breastfeeding. But I think she can handle it because she has been used to driving since she was a child. We have already completed the 10-day Kenya, which is a much worse race than the Dakar,” she mentions the Safari Rally, which she participated in last year.
Now Lounova is intensifying her preparation. He has been going to the gym regularly for over a year, but now he doubles his training. He will add a sauna, hardening and physiotherapy. They will also learn to work with the new navigation application. “There’s a lot,” he smiles. “But life is Dakar!”
Life is Dakar: Olga Lounová’s Comedic Adventure Awaits!
Welcome, dear readers, to the zany world of the Dakar Rally, where the sand is hot, the engines are louder than a toddler on a sugar rush, and navigating is often more challenging than deciphering your mother-in-law’s cryptic text messages. Today, we dive into the hilarious escapade of Olga Lounová, a woman whose life just took a wild turn from “What shall I wear?” to “Do I need a crash helmet for my toddler?”
It all started innocently enough with an invitation from Olga to her friend Aleš Loprais. This isn’t just any mate, mind you; he’s a 19-time Dakar participant! One can only imagine the sort of life advice he gives: “Oh, have you tried not crashing? Works wonders!” Alas, this time, instead of chitchat over coffee, Aleš decided to play the ultimate game of “Would you rather?”
“You reminded me. We have now lost the navigator for Dakar. Don’t you want to go?” he asked. Imagine getting that phone call! One moment you’re planning your New Year’s Eve performance, and the next, you’re potentially hurtling through the desert at 100 kilometers an hour. Sounds like the universe saying, “Girl, make some life choices!”
In a moment of pure spontaneity, Olga shot back, “Like, for which year?” It’s as if she was teetering on the edge of a cliff, wondering whether to jump or not. “Now for January!” Aleš replied, and she thought, “Well, there goes my New Year’s party and any semblance of normalcy!” But hey, who wouldn’t want to trade a cozy night in for a wild ride with a truckload of dust and adrenaline?
Now, let’s be clear here: preparing for the Dakar Rally doesn’t happen overnight. Last minute Jackson-ing is more effective for a hot date than a rally; usually, you’d be planning for a year, assembling a team and funding faster than you can say, “Where is my sunscreen?” But here’s Olga—43 years young, a mother, and suddenly thrust into a high-octane dream. “I had my heart set on driving an Opel Ascona, but look where it got me!” If life is a road, sometimes you hit potholes and other times, a full-blown rally!
Jan Čermák’s unfortunate health hiccup could have turned this situation into a tragic tale. Instead, it’s a spectacular opportunity for Olga! He opened a bottle (presumably not of water) and promptly set the stage for a new star — Olga. “This is like Alice in Wonderland, but with more dust and fewer talking rabbits,” she says, and who could argue?
“My dad is a trucker and loves the Loprais team!” Olga muses. I can picture it now: Dad sitting there in his truck, eyes glued to the screen, cheering on his daughter like she’s in some sort of advanced game show where losing means getting trapped in the desert forever. ‘Come on, sunshine, steer left! Less panic, more power!’
But let’s not forget the juggling act! She’s not only preparing to be a navigator; she’s also managing the demands of motherhood, twirling her daughter Arianne around like a mini rally queen. You’ve got to respect a woman who can breastfeed while dodging sand dunes. “I will do a double Dakar—driving by day and breastfeeding by night,” she quips. That’s not multitasking; that’s PhD-level parenting!
Now that we’ve established she’s ready for anything with a bit of grit, let’s talk preparation! She’s doubling her gym time and sweating buckets in the sauna. Honestly, her training regime sounds more intense than my last failed attempt to get in shape—who knew sauna sessions could replace online shopping for emotional support?
So as the Dakar Rally kicks off on January 3rd, let’s all root for Olga and her merry crew as they tackle the wild, wild west of desert racing. Will she emerge victorious? Will she manage to squeeze in a few lullabies between pit stops? Strap in, folks. Fasten your seatbelts—this is going to be one wild ride!
And that, dear readers, is a splendid day in the life of someone thinking, “Life is Dakar—but maybe I’ll still take the Opel next time!”
Since Olga Lounová sent out the invitation for the film Život je Dakar, a creative endeavor inspired by her exhilarating first experience at the iconic rally, anticipation has grown among the invitees. Notably, Aleš Loprais, her close friend and nephew of the legendary Karl Loprais, who himself has participated in the grueling race 19 times, received one of those invitations. Within mere hours of receiving the invitation, her phone buzzed, revealing Aleš on the line.
“You reminded me. We have now lost the navigator for Dakar. Don’t you want to go?” asked Loprais, catching Lounová off guard with a proposal that could alter her upcoming year.
“Now for January,” was the surprising reply, instantly shifting the gears of Lounová’s mind.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Lounová readily expressed her acceptance. Although she already had a packed schedule and was juggling motherhood with her two-year-old daughter, Arianne, the opportunity felt too significant to ignore. “I originally wanted to drive an Opel Ascona, but it didn’t work out. When Aleš called, I was in the car with my sister, lamenting over my dashed hopes. This is truly a miraculous twist of fate. It couldn’t be turned down, especially because usually, securing a position in the Dakar rally takes an entire year of preparation, from gathering funds to assembling a dedicated team. Yet, here I was, receiving the chance just like that,” reflects the 43-year-old artist and rally competitor.
Jan Čermák’s recent health issues have led to this unexpected change; the former navigator and current owner of TV Barrandov was initially set to return to the Dakar alongside Karel Lopraise in the winning Puma, but ultimately opened the door for Lounová’s new role.
Although Aleš Loprais will be competing in the truck category with his Iveco vehicle, his family team plans to enter two cars into the veteran class, featuring a Puma and a Fireman, which will follow a different route than the main event. “I opened the bottle, drank it, and then called Aleš to tell him that it wasn’t feasible,” recalls Čermák, highlighting the randomness that led to Lounová’s opportunity.
Aleš Loprais’s team recently held a press conference for the Dakar Rally, with Jan Čermák’s spot in the crew having now been filled by Olga Lounová. Next to Lounová is Igor Pazdera, who will take the wheel of the Tatra Puma.
“Aleš fulfilled a lifelong dream for my dad, an avid supporter of the Loprais team and an ardent fan of the Dakar. We followed the race religiously, and my father, besides being a fan, is a trucker himself with a trucking business. I hope he remains passionate about it even after the rally, because racing with such a storied team is not just an honor, it comes with expectations. Thankfully, I have completed one Dakar before; the first time is akin to being Alice in Wonderland,” Lounová explains, now preparing to navigate for Igor Pazdera.
The Dakar rally kicks off on January 3, with Czech participants traditionally flying out together on December 30. Lounová is grappling with scheduling, as she has a performance lined up for New Year’s Eve. She is urgently seeking alternatives for her travel, possibly canceling the concert or rescheduling other January events due to the quick turnaround required by her new commitment.
Her preparation extends beyond travel logistics; she is also searching for accommodation for her family, who will accompany her to Saudi Arabia and assist with caring for Arianne. “I will essentially undertake a double Dakar – racing during the day and caring for my daughter in the evenings, as I am still breastfeeding her. However, I believe she can adapt to the experience, given her comfort with travel since infancy. We’ve previously tackled the more challenging 10-day Kenya rally, which is a tougher competition than the Dakar,” she expresses, reminiscing about her participation in last year’s Safari Rally.
Now, Lounová is ramping up her training regimen in earnest. While she has maintained a consistent gym schedule for over a year, her focus has intensified as the rally approaches. She is augmenting her workouts with added routines in the sauna, hardening techniques, and physiotherapy. Additionally, she plans to familiarize herself with a new navigation app, embracing the challenges that lie ahead with a sense of enthusiasm. “There’s a lot to prepare for,” she smiles. “But life is Dakar!”
How does Olga Lounová balance motherhood with her racing ambitions?
Ust a monumental opportunity, but a cherished family connection,” Lounová shares, her eyes shining with excitement and pride.
With the Dakar Rally looming just around the corner, Olga is taking her preparation to a whole new level. She’s not just getting into the driver’s seat; she’s revving up her entire lifestyle. “Gym sessions have doubled, and I’m mixing in some sauna time like it’s some sort of pre-race ritual,” she chuckles. While most people might unwind with a glass of wine after a long day, here she is, sweating it out like a hardcore athlete. “It’s therapeutic, trust me!” she insists, probably in jest, while still managing to juggle feeding her little Arianne.
“I’m also learning how to navigate with a new app—so there’s that!” Olga adds with a laugh. It’s clear she’s embracing the chaos. “I mean, life is already a circus, right? Why not add a few tigers?” she jokes, and it’s hard to argue with her logic. After all, when you’re gearing up for the most challenging rally on Earth, a healthy sense of humor is your best companion!
Olga Lounová isn’t just participating; she’s setting out to make a statement. She represents every woman who’s ever been told she can’t do something simply because it hasn’t been done before. She’s kicking down barriers while navigating the thrilling world of the Dakar with grit, grace, and a good dose of comedic flair. “If I can navigate a toddler’s tantrums, I can certainly handle a rally!” she quips.
As Olga prepares to hit the desert trails, she stands as a testament that life is an adventure waiting to be embraced, no matter the challenges. So, buckle up, folks! With a rally queen on the move, this is bound to be one unforgettable ride at the Dakar Rally 2024! And who knows? Perhaps after dodging sand dunes and conquering navigational nightmares, she’ll settle back into her Opel Ascona for a nostalgic road trip with Arianne, sharing tales of their epic desert adventure.
Here’s to Olga Lounová—mother, adventurer, and soon-to-be Dakar competitor—living proof that sometimes, the wildest journeys lead to the richest stories! Ready, set, Dakar!
