Varela races Sertões for 10th time (foto: Donizetti Castilho/ Divulgação)
Reinaldo Varela is eager to start Sertões International Rally 17th edition. The pilot that drives a Mitsubishi, seeks his 6th victory in the main off-road race in Brazil. With the main pilots of the category, the start will take place this Thursday in Goiânia.
We have made several changes in the engine and suspension, based on what we have tested this year, said Varela, that completes ten years competing in the race. In his curriculum, he has two victories in categories equivalent to Production (1998/1999), and three in Super Production (2000/2007/2008).
Besides the victories in Sertões, Varela has also been Brazilian champion (1988, 1994, 1996, 2005 and 2006) and South American champion (1992) in speed competitions, he has four titles from the Cross-Country Brazilian competition (2000, 2002, 2006 e 2008), and was Workd Cross-Country champion 2001.
The beginning of Sertões will have the Super Prime, which defines the start order. We have to think about racing the Super Prime in a safe way, without risking too much in the beginning. But we must do well, because start among the first cars is important to avoid slow racers, said Varela that races along with navigator Marcos Macedo.
Before the promotional start, the pair intends to train a little bit around Goiânia on Monday, in order to check all the equipment. The 2,888 km of timed specials, and total course of 5,038 km between Brazilian center and northeast are record distances, and the racers will face much more dust than in previous editions. Around 90% of the event is new.
Those numbers do not change the way we are going to face the rally. The difference is that we need to make more parts replacements during the race, said Varela, whose goal is to become a victory record holder, and keep his first place in the Cross-Country Rally Brazilian Championship.
Each of the first three days of Sertões will serve as a stage of the Brazilian championship. The first stage will be this Wednesday, june 24th, from Goiânia to Santa Helena (GO), the second will be from Santa Helena to Cidade de Goiás (GO). The last one will start in Cidade de Goiás and finish in Minuaçu (GO), on Friday.
Varela/Macedo have 26 points on the lead of the championship, 13 more than Luciano Lima/Neurivan Calado, in second.
Este texto foi escrito por: Webventure