Do what you enjoy and find fulfilling, says Martin Macík, graduate of our university and winner of this year's Dakar Rally
10 min | 01. 02. 2024
We bring you an exclusive interview with Martin Macík, Business Management graduate at Unicorn University and winner of the Dakar Rally 2024.
In an exclusive interview for our website, Martin reveals the difficult journey that led him to win this year's Dakar Rally in the truck category and what helped him start his successful and diverse business. Talking to a graduate of our University proves that having the courage to follow your dreams and to keep learning and improving are the keys to success, whatever you do in life.
In an exclusive interview for our website, Martin reveals the difficult journey that led him to win this year's Dakar Rally in the truck category and what helped him start his successful and diverse business. Talking to a graduate of our University proves that having the courage to follow your dreams and to keep learning and improving are the keys to success, whatever you do in life.
Foto od MM Production
Congratulations on your success at this year's Dakar! Can you describe what were the key moments during the race that decided your victory?
Thank you very much for myself and the whole team, because this win belongs to the whole MM Technology team. The key moments were in stages 5 and 6, the hardest stages of the Dakar 2024 in the Empty Quarter, where only dunes were ridden and this year was marked by more heat and therefore softer sand. Thanks to a well-prepared truck and an excellent crew, we dealt with everything that stood in the way of our fastest time, allowing us to build up a lead of more than an hour. The important thing then was not to slow down, to keep the pace and thanks to that we increased our lead and won the toughest Dakar in Saudi Arabia.
Thank you very much for myself and the whole team, because this win belongs to the whole MM Technology team. The key moments were in stages 5 and 6, the hardest stages of the Dakar 2024 in the Empty Quarter, where only dunes were ridden and this year was marked by more heat and therefore softer sand. Thanks to a well-prepared truck and an excellent crew, we dealt with everything that stood in the way of our fastest time, allowing us to build up a lead of more than an hour. The important thing then was not to slow down, to keep the pace and thanks to that we increased our lead and won the toughest Dakar in Saudi Arabia.
You rode the Dakar for the first time as a navigator and now 10 times as a truck pilot. How would you evaluate this edition compared to the previous ones?
I have participated in the Dakar 12 times in total, and as I said in the first question, this year was definitely the hardest Dakar in Saudi Arabia, and of all my participations, it was definitely the hardest Dakar in terms of route and speed. In terms of mental and physical demands, I have experienced worse, but it always depends on how you are doing and what problems you have along the way.
I have participated in the Dakar 12 times in total, and as I said in the first question, this year was definitely the hardest Dakar in Saudi Arabia, and of all my participations, it was definitely the hardest Dakar in terms of route and speed. In terms of mental and physical demands, I have experienced worse, but it always depends on how you are doing and what problems you have along the way.
Foto od MM Production
Foto od MM Production
I hear you're selling "Čenda", the truck that brought you to victory. Why did you decide to do that?
Of course, it's not just my decision. As developers and manufacturers of race trucks for long distance off-road competitions, we build 1 to 3 machines every year to keep pushing development and quality. That's why we're already building a new truck for me and my crew that will be very similar to Čenda. This truck will definitely make its new owner happy, because Čenda is an amazing truck!
Of course, it's not just my decision. As developers and manufacturers of race trucks for long distance off-road competitions, we build 1 to 3 machines every year to keep pushing development and quality. That's why we're already building a new truck for me and my crew that will be very similar to Čenda. This truck will definitely make its new owner happy, because Čenda is an amazing truck!
Besides rallying, you are also active in business. Could you tell us which areas you are involved in?
It has been many years since I studied at Unicorn University. It was while I was studying at this University that I started my business with my dad and I am currently mainly involved in a marketing and media agency called MM Production. I am also involved in MM Technology where I run the complete marketing department and also the business. Together with my wife we have opened Pilot Cafe cafes in Prague, one located in Letná and the other in Pankrác, and in the future we would like to expand our network with a third branch. I try to connect all the projects, building efficient and reliable teams of people who work with me from the very beginning. Without them it wouldn't have been possible and that's why, for example, the project "Posedlí Dakarem" or the e-shop not only with team clothing was created.
It has been many years since I studied at Unicorn University. It was while I was studying at this University that I started my business with my dad and I am currently mainly involved in a marketing and media agency called MM Production. I am also involved in MM Technology where I run the complete marketing department and also the business. Together with my wife we have opened Pilot Cafe cafes in Prague, one located in Letná and the other in Pankrác, and in the future we would like to expand our network with a third branch. I try to connect all the projects, building efficient and reliable teams of people who work with me from the very beginning. Without them it wouldn't have been possible and that's why, for example, the project "Posedlí Dakarem" or the e-shop not only with team clothing was created.
Foto od MM Production
Foto od MM Production
You studied Business Management at Unicorn University. How does this study help you in business?
Studying was a major stepping stone for me. It helped me figure out what I wanted to do and why, what it takes to run a business and how to translate theory into practice. I think that was the most important thing and that's why I enjoyed studying so much. I should add that this is not an advertisement. To this day I still speak positively about this experience and I believe that education should take new directions, which is something we are a bit lacking in the Czech Republic.
Studying was a major stepping stone for me. It helped me figure out what I wanted to do and why, what it takes to run a business and how to translate theory into practice. I think that was the most important thing and that's why I enjoyed studying so much. I should add that this is not an advertisement. To this day I still speak positively about this experience and I believe that education should take new directions, which is something we are a bit lacking in the Czech Republic.
Are there any particular skills or knowledge you have acquired at school that have proved useful in practice?
For me, it was an opportunity to translate most of the information into real life, from accounting, to business management and marketing, to economics, where everything had a practical overlap and was explained to us. Also, meeting capacities in the industry was key for me. Of course, not everything catches your attention, but when everything is profiled and you enjoy it, it becomes important, which was the case for me. I must also not forget the people I met during my studies who helped me a lot.
For me, it was an opportunity to translate most of the information into real life, from accounting, to business management and marketing, to economics, where everything had a practical overlap and was explained to us. Also, meeting capacities in the industry was key for me. Of course, not everything catches your attention, but when everything is profiled and you enjoy it, it becomes important, which was the case for me. I must also not forget the people I met during my studies who helped me a lot.
„We need to keep learning, even if we are 18 and choosing the university or like me in 34 and running several companies.“
- Martin Macík
Do you see any parallels between managing a race team and managing a business?
Yes, we manage both areas in the same way. Our team has already grown - at Dakar we are looking after 60 people, 4 race trucks, 4 support trucks and 8 support cars. We have a team manager, nowadays even two, to ensure the smooth running of the whole event, whether it lasts 7 or 20 days, like the Dakar. If you want to race long term, you have to come up with and maintain a concept that pays off, take care of your fans, but also your advertising partners, and that includes media and success. Without great technology, success is not possible, which is why we also have a technical department that today is dedicated to research and development. So it is a big business that you have to manage, and sometimes I realise that if we manage this, then the "other" is a piece of cake.
Yes, we manage both areas in the same way. Our team has already grown - at Dakar we are looking after 60 people, 4 race trucks, 4 support trucks and 8 support cars. We have a team manager, nowadays even two, to ensure the smooth running of the whole event, whether it lasts 7 or 20 days, like the Dakar. If you want to race long term, you have to come up with and maintain a concept that pays off, take care of your fans, but also your advertising partners, and that includes media and success. Without great technology, success is not possible, which is why we also have a technical department that today is dedicated to research and development. So it is a big business that you have to manage, and sometimes I realise that if we manage this, then the "other" is a piece of cake.
What other goals and plans do you have in rallying and in business?
In terms of the sport, I can now "only" defend the title, which is sometimes harder than winning. I'm curious myself how this will turn out, but I'm looking forward to it. In business, I want to continue with the projects I mentioned above. We plan to build and develop race trucks for the world, constantly improving them, and maybe in the future we'll get into making special components for other areas. I also want to develop my agency, which now has three divisions, but we need to build more to be fully self-sufficient. And then I want to make myself happy with, for example, cafés or projects like Possessed by Dakar, which together with MM Technology are our references for MM Production.
In terms of the sport, I can now "only" defend the title, which is sometimes harder than winning. I'm curious myself how this will turn out, but I'm looking forward to it. In business, I want to continue with the projects I mentioned above. We plan to build and develop race trucks for the world, constantly improving them, and maybe in the future we'll get into making special components for other areas. I also want to develop my agency, which now has three divisions, but we need to build more to be fully self-sufficient. And then I want to make myself happy with, for example, cafés or projects like Possessed by Dakar, which together with MM Technology are our references for MM Production.
What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs or racers who would like to follow in your footsteps?
Success is beautiful, but it doesn't teach you as much as failure and those moments when you wonder if it's all worth it. You have to keep learning, whether you're 18 and choosing an university or, like me, 34 and running several companies. Do what you enjoy, what you want to do and what fulfills you. That's the approach I took, and although it was a long and thorny road, I was able to achieve what I wanted for 12 years, at least athletically! What my peak in business will be, I don't know, but whatever it is, I look forward to it.
Success is beautiful, but it doesn't teach you as much as failure and those moments when you wonder if it's all worth it. You have to keep learning, whether you're 18 and choosing an university or, like me, 34 and running several companies. Do what you enjoy, what you want to do and what fulfills you. That's the approach I took, and although it was a long and thorny road, I was able to achieve what I wanted for 12 years, at least athletically! What my peak in business will be, I don't know, but whatever it is, I look forward to it.
Want to know more about Martin? Check out the graduate's story here.
