Hi Sean,the automobile manufacture for SST was discussed before the SST series ran their first race. Having the body/grill look like an RC truck and not having a car company logo on the rig is more inclusive for drivers with manufacture specific contracts.Rob Mac is an example.I believe he has support from Ford, yet he can run SST's.
DAKAR, is different.The good thing about not taking car company money is you don't have to do what they want/when they want it.