Diker-Oral on TransAnatolia Podium for Fourth Time

TransAnatolia 2026, Turkey's toughest rally raid, has concluded after a long marathon that started in Istanbul and finished in Ankara. Competing in a Suzuki Grand Vitara for Ege Asal Motorspor, the Mithat Diker – Erdal Oral crew reached the finish despite all the technical problems they suffered, taking second place in the overall cars classification and winning Class 2.

At the end of eight days of competition, Bekir Kuvvet Erim – Mesut Şafak Doğan won the cars category in a Toyota Hilux with a total time of 34 hours 08 minutes 05 seconds. Mithat Diker – Erdal Oral finished second in the overall cars classification in the Suzuki Grand Vitara with a total time of 37 hours 40 minutes 47 seconds, while the Sorin Parvulescu – Marius Tutianu crew took third in a Volkswagen Touareg with a total time of 40:16:00.

For Diker–Oral, TransAnatolia 2026 was a test not only of speed but also of endurance and determination. Mud stopping the radiator fan, rising engine temperatures, a puncture, a front axle broken in a rocky riverbed, the four-wheel-drive system failing and part of the stages being completed in rear-wheel drive only were just some of the difficulties the crew faced.

Forced to end one day early because of an overheating problem, the crew made the start of the final day after the technical team worked hard to get the Suzuki Grand Vitara back in racing condition. Starting the final day with a stage win, Diker–Oral then crossed Lake Tuz successfully to reach the finish in Ankara.