The 27th edition of the Rally of Morocco is set to commence on Monday, September 28, and Colombia will be represented in this prestigious event by none other than Javier "Jota" Vélez. This remarkable driver will embark on his journey through the arid landscapes of Morocco alongside his Argentine co-driver, Gastón Mattarucco. Their participation in this rally serves as a crucial preparatory phase for their ultimate goal of the year: the renowned Rally Dakar.
Javier's entry into the Morocco Rally was made possible by the inclusion of the Rallye du Maroc Classic category, where he and his South American partner currently hold the lead. "Our aim is to maintain the leadership we have in the Classic category alongside Gastón Mattarucco," Javier expressed with determination.
The seasoned pilot from Antioquia will be racing in vehicle number 811, which has been registered in the H4.B class. This specific vehicle is a Porsche Cayenne 955, meticulously prepared by the Be Racing team for this competition. It is equipped with a powerful 4.5-liter V8 engine that generates an impressive 400 horsepower. With all-wheel drive, a suspension system designed to tackle the demanding terrain, and a weight of 2,300 kilograms, this setup is perfectly suited to handle the diverse surfaces they will encounter throughout the race.
Age Is Just a Number for This Passionate Driver
At the age of 71, "Jota" is ready to face the daunting dunes of Zagora, a significant location for the rally. His extensive experience equips him with the maturity needed to tackle such challenges, which also serve as a stepping stone for larger events like the Rally Raid in Saudi Arabia. Vélez is no stranger to grand competitions; having participated in the Dakar Rally six times, his track record speaks volumes. He has also gained considerable experience from events such as the Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina, the Atacama Rally in Chile, the Andalucía Rally in Spain, and the Rally Raid of San Juan in Argentina, all of which will undoubtedly enhance his skills further in Morocco.
Prepared for the Challenge Ahead
Vélez and Mattarucco are well-acquainted with the capabilities of the Cayenne, having previously used it in the Montes de Cuenca (Baja TT Cuenca), which was the first trial of the European Baja Championship. "Our plan is to push the Porsche Cayenne to its limits, as we have fully completed and tested it. We have raced the vehicle in a couple of competitions and encountered some cooling issues, but those have now been resolved. We expect everything to perform exceptionally well in this competition," stated Vélez confidently.
In addition to Javier's participation, several high-profile competitors will also be competing, including Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sébastien Loeb, and Carlos Sainz, as this event is part of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2EC). The prologue in Agadir will take place on Monday, covering a distance of 176 kilometers, with 18 kilometers dedicated to a timed special stage.
As reported by es-us.noticias.yahoo.com.
