For Martin and Aliyyah Koloc, the Rallye du Maroc that ended on Friday wasn’t about chasing podiums, it was about preparation.
-- The father-daughter duo entered the Open car category for Buggyra ZM Racing with one goal: to test, learn, and fine-tune their Red-Lined Revo T1+ cars ahead of the 2026 Dakar Rally. Experience once again had the edge. Martin and his co-driver, Italian Mirko Brun, won the Open car category, with Aliyyah close behind in second.
The Rallye du Maroc was the final major test before the Dakar 2026. For Buggyra ZM Racing, it marked the cornerstone of a year-long development program. For Martin and Aliyyah, it was just as much about data and teamwork, and, not least, a family affair. “We’re developing new components for our Red-Lined Revo T1+ GTRs,” Martin Koloc explained. “It’s our last big test before the Dakar, and we’re collecting a lot of data to get the best out of the cars.”
The Moroccan desert was unforgiving, especially for Aliyyah, who faced a series of technical setbacks from tires to brakes and drive shafts. Yet, the mood in the team stayed positive. “Our mission here is car development, and that’s going pretty well,” said Martin. “We’re achieving our goals.” And Aliyyah added: “Of course, it’s a pity we couldn’t do as many kilometers as we wanted, but it was still really good preparation. We know now what to fix and improve for the Dakar.”
Shared challenges, shared strength
Mechanical problems and long days in the dunes tested everyone’s endurance, but the father-daughter dynamic proved invaluable. “It was really, really cool,” Aliyyah said. “Last year, we raced here together, but this time, we were in the same category. Every time I had a problem, my father helped analyze it. Having him nearby was such a plus.”
For Martin, the shared experience was equally rewarding. “When you’re blessed to do what you love with your kids, it doesn’t get any better. We’re trying to improve each other. I’m better in some sections, Aliyyah in others. We share data, we train together. It’s priceless.”
Sometimes, the closeness came with extra pressure. “When he was behind me, I got a little stressed,” Aliyyah admitted with a smile. “If I had a big jump or a scary moment, I worried he might hit the same spot. But he always brought the car back in one piece.”
Asked whether it felt more like being teammates or family, she paused: “Probably more like a family affair. We both want to be faster than the other, but in the end, we just want to improve together and finish safely.”
A team effort beyond family
Behind the wheel, they were two competitors. But above all, they were part of a dedicated team testing new technologies and configurations. “We’ve been trying a lot of new components,” Martin said. “Some didn’t work as we hoped, but that’s exactly why we’re here. The team’s been incredible. They hardly slept for ten days. I’m truly grateful to everyone.”
For Martin, the big picture is clear. “The result and strategy of the team come first. The family is one layer underneath. We are tuning up the team as a whole.”
There were memorable moments, too, like finishing the rally just ten seconds apart. “That was really special,” Martin smiled. For Aliyyah, a different moment stood out: “The best was when we were in a tricky situation and he was right there to help. He’s been teaching me so much, and he keeps me on my toes.”
Looking ahead
For both father and daughter, the Rallye du Maroc was about progress, not trophies. “Due to technical issues, I only finished two out of five stages,” Aliyyah said. “But I’m happy to have had one clean stage and to see how much we’ve improved. It was a long, tough week, but I couldn’t be happier.”
Martin summed it up: “Morocco was a valuable part of our Dakar preparations. We will still have a few days of testing in Abu Dhabi to apply the final configuration. Then it’s six weeks of very hard work, and we’ll be ready.”
Before the private Abu Dhabi test, Buggyra ZM Racing and Aliyyah Koloc will take on a completely different challenge: the dry creek rally in Vanuatu. The event, known for its mix of high-speed sections and coastal stages, holds special meaning for the Koloc family due to personal ties to the island. Aliyyah already competed there in August, finishing the International Rally of Vanuatu.
As Martin reflected at the end of the Rallye du Maroc: “We’ve learned, we’ve adapted, and we’re closer than ever to being ready. But what’s even more important than any data or result is that we shared something really special as a family.”
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