Maria Luís Gameiro Embarks on a New International Adventure
Maria Luís Gameiro, the talented Portuguese rally driver, is gearing up to tackle an exciting new international challenge by participating in the Carta Rallye 2026, which will take place from April 18 to 24 in the stunning landscapes of Morocco. This marks the tenth edition of the rally, and Gameiro is set to return to the desert for a grueling seven-stage event that kicks off in Agadir. The rally route will traverse some of Morocco's most iconic regions, covering over 2000 kilometers and passing through Tan-Tan, Laayoune, and Icht, before culminating in M’Hamid. The course will combine linear stages with loop sectors, progressively increasing in difficulty throughout the week.
Among the competitors, some of the world's leading off-road racers, including Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Serradori, will be vying for victory. Technical inspections and administrative checks are scheduled for April 16 and 17 in Agadir, with the event officially commencing on April 18. The rally caravan will head south before gradually shifting its route to the east, featuring challenging navigation, extensive selective sectors, and the unpredictability that characterizes desert racing. For Gameiro, the desert is a major draw, as she views this event as an ideal opportunity to refine her skills in navigating the daunting dunes.
“We are seeking more experience and knowledge in a demanding terrain like the desert,” explains the pilot.
Preparation and Goals for the Rally
In pursuit of her goals, Maria Luís Gameiro will be navigating in a Mini JCW T1+ 3.0d, the only Diesel HVO in the competition, alongside her navigator Ronnie Graue. Graue is well-respected in the international off-road community and previously navigated for Orlando Terranova, achieving notable results, including a fifth-place finish at Dakar 2023. With Graue’s expertise, Gameiro aims to learn how to better tackle the dunes, which is invaluable preparation for the upcoming Dakar 2027.
Maria Luís arrives at this rally at a particularly promising juncture in her career, having finished Dakar 2026 with a commendable overall placement and secured the Ladies' Cup, further establishing her reputation as one of the leading female figures in the off-road racing arena. Additionally, her recent performance in Europe, where she finished 11th overall at the TT Guadalajara Rally and claimed another Ladies' Cup, showcases her competitive consistency as the season unfolds.
“This is the kind of challenge I appreciate and need to face to be better prepared for Dakar 2027,” remarks Maria Luís Gameiro.
As she eagerly anticipates her return to the Moroccan desert, Maria Luís Gameiro expresses her excitement: “I am thrilled to return to the desert, to the dunes, and to the captivating scenery that I have learned to respect and love. This rally is an excellent opportunity to maintain my fitness, but we have a very clear purpose. We are on the hunt for more experience and learning in such a demanding environment. My focus is on becoming better and I am confident that this will be a fantastic opportunity to discover new techniques. I am incredibly excited to have Ronnie Graue by my side. He is an experienced navigator at the highest level, and I believe that with him alongside, I will have the chance to learn how to tackle the desert more effectively. The goal is to continue evolving, accumulate kilometers in the desert, and make the most of this opportunity to grow, knowing that a demanding week awaits. But it is precisely these kinds of challenges that I cherish and need to face to be more prepared for Dakar 2027.”
As reported by sapo.pt.
