The Italo-Venezuelan Nunzio Coffaro has returned to the rally tracks after a significant break since his last participation in Dakar 2016. This return marks a milestone in his career and underscores his unwavering passion for the sport and his determination to continue competing at the highest level.
Coffaro, who was chosen as the best Rally Cross Country driver in the T1.1 FIA category in 2013, has proven to be a prominent figure in the rally world. His experience and skills have led him to compete in various international competitions, always leaving an indelible mark. On this occasion, Coffaro has decided to participate as a co-driver in the Rally of Morocco, alongside the talented Italian driver Andrea Schiumarini, at the wheel.
A driver with history
“I have seen many changes in the circuit upon my return. The cars have evolved, more than half are SSV, more economical vehicles. Navigation with Tablet is much more accurate, but the organisers compensate for this ease with more difficult routes. In short, it is still a very precise job, requiring knowledge and experience”, says Nunzio Coffaro.
“I like to experiment and I am convinced that every person I shared a race with enriched me as a driver. With Nunzio, for example, we immediately found a good channel to be a team. He was not only a good navigator but above all a friend willing to advise and support me”, says Andrea Schiumarini.
Team Azimut: A Successful Alliance
Both drivers represent Team Azimut, a team with which Coffaro has competed for much of his career. The team, now also registered in Italy through ACI Sport, has the support of the experienced Italian teams R-Team and the Spanish team TH-Truck. This international collaboration has been fundamental to the team’s success in various competitions.
“We feel at home with these family teams,”, comments Coffaro, highlighting the importance of having a cohesive and experienced team in a competition as demanding as the Rally of Morocco.
The Challenge of the Rally of Morocco
The Rally of Morocco, which took place from October 4 to 11 between Marrakech and the Oriental region, is known for its challenging terrains and high competitiveness. For Coffaro, this competition was not only an opportunity to return to the tracks but also a crucial preparation for his next goal: the Dakar 2025.
“After 8 years since the Dakar Rally 2016, Russia and Abu Dhabi, world-class races are the competitions at my level. I had received sponsorship offers for other races, even as Team Manager of a big team. But my passion is still inside the car. We showed that there is still talent, physical and mental. I felt very good, I cannot deny that before the race I had my concerns, but after obtaining P4 in the prologue, everything turned into podium ambitions,”, says Nunzio Coffaro.
In pursuit of Dakar 2025, the next challenge
With his sights set on Dakar 2025, Coffaro seeks to continue growing in this sport and achieve the status of “Mr. Dakar” by completing his 10 Dakar medals. “The Dakar and the FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies are my goals”, concludes Coffaro.
The Rally of Morocco has been an important step on this path, allowing Coffaro and Team Azimut to demonstrate their ability to compete and excel in one of the most challenging terrains in the rally world and place themselves in the Top 10 overall. The experience gained and lessons learned in Morocco will undoubtedly be valuable for their future competitions. “I love the Century (South African prototype), I still need to complete the sponsorships, but we already have the team and the car”, says Coffaro.
About Team Azimut
Founded in 2005, Team Azimut is a motorsport team that competes in Cross Country Rally and Rally Baja, endorsed by the FIA (International Automobile Federation). With almost 20 years of experience, the team has participated in the most prestigious 4x4 events in the world. Nunzio Coffaro, founder and lead driver, was chosen as the Best Cross Country Rally Driver in the T1.1 category by the FIA in 2013. Currently, Team Azimut has returned to 4x4 racing, standing out in the Rally of Morocco by finishing the competition among the Top 10 overall.
Source: Nunzio Coffaro official press release / BytePR Comunicación
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.