Baja Aragon 2023: Pilots of the BP Ultimate Adventure Team overcome crashes in the hardness of Baja Aragón

• The race organizers have designed a new 400-kilometer route along the most unique roads of Castilla La Mancha.
• Successful registration, 125 teams will take the start of the X Rally TT of Cuenca.

The TT Rallye of Cuenca, the last event of the National Off-Road Championship has registered a great success of registration with 125 teams that will take the start in the categories of Cars, Motorcycles and ParaBaja.

Due to the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the sporting event, it will be the most powerful race of all those organized so far by the Cuenca Motor Club. For this reason, the Organization has designed an unprecedented route of about 400 kilometers through the most singular roads of Castilla La Mancha, which will pass through 20 localities with a more than interesting environment of nature, heritage and gastronomy.

The route will be very fast, with big changes of terrain and with important and very complicated mountain areas. The Prologue stage will start on Friday, October 4 at 4.30 p.m., and in the late afternoon the multitudinous Podium Ceremony will be held. And on Saturday 5, it will be a hard day of more than 400 kilometers that will end at the end of the day with the Trophy Ceremony.

Teams, fans and visitors will be able to enjoy Huete, the historical city full of monasteries, convents, palace houses, churches and Roman mines. Also Villanueva de los Escuderos in the Altos de Cabrejas and on the banks of the Egidillo River, or Pineda de Gigüela with its hermitages of Santa Ana and San Bartolomé.

They will also be able to visit Castillejo del Romeral, located in the center of the valley of the Mayor River and obligatory step of the old royal road from Huete to Cuenca; Villar de Olalla, with its lagoon complex; and the ancient Chillarón located in the region of the Serranía Media, among other destinations such as Valdecolmenas de Arriba, Valdecolmenas de Abajo, Caracenilla, Cólliga, Culebras, La Ventosa, Villa Ester, Villar de Domingo García, Villarejo de la Peñuela, Sotorribas, Torralba, Bascuñana De San Pedro, Abia de la Obispalía and Valdecañas.

And of course Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage City, with the best gastronomy, and one of the most extraordinary natural landscapes of the Spanish geography. And in Cuenca the most adventurous can challenge vertigo with the longest urban zip line in Europe, with a distance of 445 meters, 120 meters high, and at 75 km per hour.

Automatic translation of the Spanish version
Source: Rally TT Cuenca official press release

Entries are now open for the tricolor race also valid for the 21st Rally dei Nuraghi e del Vermentino, the 6th Rally Vermentino Historicu and the 5th Baja Vermentino Terre di Gallura on Oct. 25-26. Base in Berchidda

With the opening of registration begins today, one month before the start, the road to the 21st Rally dei Nuraghi e del Vermentino. The event organized in Berchidda by Rassinaby Racing will once again boast a triple tricolor title this year. Alongside the modern rally, valid as the fifth and penultimate round of the Italian Rally Terra Championship and for the Regional, the 6th Rally Vermentino Historicu - the fourth round of the Italian Rally Terra Storico - and the 5th Baja Vermentino Terre di Gallura, the fifth round of the Italian Cross Country Side by Side, will also be held on October 25-26.

To finalize registration for the modern rally, there will be time until midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 16, while there will be a few more days available to competitors in the historic rally and cross country, who will have a chance to complete registration procedures until 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21.

The program

The route of the 2024 edition includes just over 75 timed kilometers, divided into three special stages to be repeated twice. It will begin on Friday 25 with double passes on the Erula-Tula, a new test more than 11 kilometers long, and will continue on Saturday 26 with the specials Pattada-Oschiri, more than 20 kilometers encompassing the old opening special “Filigosu,” and Alà dei Sardi-Buddusò, a 7-kilometer timed section in the very famous Monte Lerno.

Berchidda will host shakedown and qualifying stage, scheduled on Friday morning, and the starting ceremony, scheduled at 1:30 p.m. in Piazza del Popolo, the same one that, at 3 p.m. on Saturday 26 will host arrival and prize-giving. Also in Berchidda are scrutineering, service park, race direction and press room.

Source: ACI Sport / Baja Vermentino

• His first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ will take place at Rally du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally
• The driver line-up includes Mitch Guthrie Jr, Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr

Ford Performance welcomes world-renowned rally and off-road driver Mattias Ekström, who will be joining its team for the 2025 Dakar Rally and thus completing the driver lineup. Ekström, a two-time DTM champion, World Rallycross champion, and experienced rally raid competitor, will join Mitch Guthrie Jr, Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr in piloting the Ford Raptor T1+ in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.

Ekström’s diverse background, which spans success in rally, circuit racing, and off-road competition, makes him a perfect addition to the Ford Performance Dakar team. He has proven his capability in rally raid events, including multiple Dakar Rally appearances, and now looks forward to leading the charge alongside his teammates in the T1 Category.

Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance: “Bringing Mattias Ekström into the Ford Performance family is a big step forward for our Dakar program. Mattias brings a wealth of experience in rally and off-road racing, and his skills add to a formidable team in the Ford Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally is a test like no other, but we’re confident in our lineup.”

Matthew Wilson, M-Sport: "We have followed Mattias’ career for a long time, from his DTM days to the FIA World Rallycross, and now the Dakar Rally. He has shown fantastic speed and ability in all forms of motorsport and his performances in off-road racing have been no different. We are really looking forward to working with him and his co-driver Emil, who both will bring with them a vast array of experience."

Mattias Ekström: "Joining the Ford Dakar program is really exciting for me. Ford and M-Sport have built a vehicle that looks, sounds, and drives awesome and we all have a common ambition to win the Dakar Rally. I have had four tries at Dakar so far and now I can say that I have some experience to be able to aim for the top. There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition – starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver line-up, smart engineers, technicians, and the rest of the team. I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rally du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally. I am in it to win it and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us. I will do everything in my power to make it happen."

WHY: Ford Performance is committed to showcasing its off-road capabilities in rally raid racing and global competition efforts via entries and victories in the Baja 1000, Tatts-Finke Desert Race, and more. The addition of Mattias Ekström finalizes a strong driver lineup for the biggest challenge yet in Dakar, positioning Ford for a competitive push in the 2025 race with the Raptor T1+.a

Source: Ford

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is set to tackle the final round of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) at the Rally of Morocco from 6 to 11 October. With two highly skilled crews competing in race-proven machines, the team is ready to take on the demanding terrains and fierce competition in the Moroccan desert. The Rally of Morocco, renowned for its challenging stages and tough conditions, will also mark a milestone in W2RC history, as it celebrates the 100th timed stage of the championship.

TGR’s lineup for the Rally of Morocco will feature Lucas Moraes and co-driver Armand Monleon in the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+, as well as Seth Quintero and co-driver Dennis Zenz in the same race-proven machine. Moraes, one of the rising stars in the world of rally-raid, will be making his debut in the Moroccan race. Quintero, known for his speed and determination, will be looking to deliver strong results as he continues to gain experience in the W2RC

W2RC Standings: Aiming for Maximum Points

With the final round of the W2RC approaching, TGR heads to Morocco looking to close the season on a high note. Currently sitting in 3rd place in the W2RC standings, Lucas Moraes trails the championship leader by 53 points. While the title is out of reach, a strong performance in Morocco could see Lucas move up to 2nd in the final standings. His consistency and ability to tackle the toughest stages have been key to his success this season, and he will be aiming for maximum points to end the year on a high.

Meanwhile, Seth Quintero sits in 8th place in the standings, 103 points behind the leader. Like Lucas, Seth will be focusing on achieving the best possible result in Morocco. The young American driver has shown his enormous potential throughout the season and will be keen to deliver another solid performance in the challenging Moroccan terrain.

Rally of Morocco: The Ultimate Test of Skill and Endurance

The Rally of Morocco is widely regarded as one of the toughest events on the W2RC calendar. This year, the race will cover a total of 2,468 km, of which 1,512 km will be timed special stages. The event will take place over five gruelling stages, plus a short prologue. The terrain will challenge competitors with a combination of vast desert landscapes, sharp mountain passes, expansive dunes, and rocky tracks that test both the drivers’ skill and the durability of their vehicles.

The race kicks off on 6 October with a prologue in Marrakesh, setting the scene for the upcoming five days of intense rally-raid action. From 7 October, the real competition begins with Stage 1, a loop around Zagora, covering 268 km of timed racing. This region is famous for its Erg Chegaga dunes, where competitors will be tested by the deep sands and tough navigation challenges. The second stage, also based in Zagora, will be a longer special, adding another 317 km of racing through similarly punishing terrain.

Stage 3 will take the competitors on a point-to-point route, travelling from Zagora to Mengoub-Bouârfa. The stage will include 318 km of timed special, with the route featuring separate tracks for FIA and FIM classes to add variety and increase the complexity of the challenge for the car drivers. This stage will push competitors into the dunes of Merzouga, where the soft sands and challenging dunes will require utmost precision and control.

The final two stages, held around Mengoub-Bouârfa, will serve as a prelude to the grand finale. Stages 4 and 5 will take competitors into some of the most sparsely populated areas of the Oriental region, an area known for its rocky, barren landscapes and Dakar-style tracks. Navigational challenges will come to the forefront as the terrain offers little in the way of visible markers. The 272 km timed special of the final stage on 11 October promises to be just as unpredictable as the rest of the race, making it an exciting and nerve-wracking end to the 2024 W2RC season.

A Dakar-style Challenge

The 2024 Rally of Morocco, designed by race director David Castera, is often referred to as a miniature version of the Dakar Rally. With its blend of rocky trails, dunes, and fast sections, the event will provide teams with a demanding rehearsal for the next W2RC season, which kicks off with the 2025 Dakar. As always, the Toyota GR DKR Hilux T1+ will be expected to showcase its reliability, durability, and performance across these varied stages, as Lucas Moraes and Seth Quintero aim to end their season on a high.

Source: Toyota

The date of Sertões 2025 has changed. Originally scheduled for August 29 to September 7, the 33rd edition of the biggest rally in the Americas has been brought forward and will take place from July 26 to August 3.

The decision was taken by the race organizers after careful evaluation and planning. The aim is to align the date of the event with the world Rally Raid calendar, optimize logistics and offer better conditions for drivers, teams and the press.

Automatic translation of the Brazilian Portuguese version

Today’s thrilling stage covered 229 km to Igoumenitsa and back, featuring two demanding 100 km special stages that wound through enchanting yet eerie old ghost towns.

Leading the pack was #1 Roberto Barbieri, who finished first with an impressive performance that showcased his navigation skills and speed. Close behind him was #34 Anton Tyll, who secured second place through careful strategy and strong execution. Rounding out the podium was #61 Vasilis Boudros, whose steady riding earned him third place.

As we prepare for Day 6, the competition is set to intensify, with tougher terrain and unpredictable weather conditions on the horizon.

Source: Greece Rally

• Chicherit, De Mévius and Ferreira in the MINI
• Debut of the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i

The Rallye du Maroc marks the end of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Championship and is one of the most popular events on the calendar for this reason, among others. This year, the X-raid team is travelling to the starting city of Marrakesh with a total of four vehicles: the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i will be making its debut there. It will be accompanied by two X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus and an X-raid 1000R Turbo side-by-side. In addition, X-raid can rely on an interesting and powerful line-up of drivers.

Two new crews will be sitting in a MINI in Morocco: the two Frenchmen Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winocq will be driving the new X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i. The Belgian Guillaume De Mévius will be competing in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus together with the Frenchman Mathieu Baumel. João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro are also in the line-up, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak from previous races in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus. Hungary's Pál Lónyai will be competing in the X-raid side-by-side with Alexey Kuzmich.

For Ferreira and Palmeiro, it will be their first longer rally in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus in about half a year. So far, the two Portuguese have mainly competed in Bajas – and with great success: they secured a total of seven podium places, with five of them at the top of the podium.

Chicherit has accompanied the X-raid team at several stages of its history. He started in the BMW X3 CC and drove the first MINI ALL4 Racing. Later, he competed in the CBRA Buggy, with which the X-raid team wanted to gain experience in the category of rear-wheel drive vehicles. Now the Frenchman and X-raid are starting together on another adventure. Chicherit will drive the first X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i in the Rallye du Maroc.

De Mévius has also already covered the first kilometres in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i. The Belgian is currently one of the great talents in the off-road rally scene. After finishing third in the 2023 Dakar in the Challenger classification, he sensationally secured second place in the car classification this year.

This year's Rallye du Maroc starts in Marrakech and leads via Zagora to Mengoub Bouarfa in eastern Morocco. A total of 2,492 kilometres are on the agenda, 1,517 km of which are against the clock.

All news regarding the X-raid Team's participation in the 2025 Dakar Rally will be announced at a later date.

Sven Quandt, X-raid Team Principal: "We are delighted to be competing in Morocco with such a great line-up. De Mevius and Chicherit finished the Dakar in a sensational second and fourth place. Joao has already clinched several victories this year. He is currently ranked second in the FIA World Baja and leads the Portuguese championship. I can't wait to see our new family member, the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i, in action in a rally and to gain more experience with it. We would have liked to have entered more vehicles, but due to delivery bottlenecks at some suppliers, we had to limit ourselves to one petrol-powered car.’

Guerlain Chicherit: "My career started with X-raid in the BMW X3 CC. We tested and developed many vehicles together. That was a great time. Later, I tried out various other projects. I have learnt a lot in recent years and X-raid has been extremely successful. But now I'm back again. I think that X-raid can offer me the opportunities to fight for victories.’

Guillaume De Mévius: ‘The start with the X-raid team is a new adventure for me. I am very excited and can hardly wait for the journey to begin. I can certainly still learn a lot from X-raid. Together, we want to achieve victories and top results.’

João Ferreira: ‘The Rallye du Maroc will be my first real rally in a T1+ car. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll do my best and I'm excited to see how I fare against the other top drivers. I'm also looking forward to working with my new team colleagues.’

Pál Lónyai: ‘I am looking forward to driving for X-raid again. The car has been further developed, and I am excited to see how it feels during the pre-race tests. It is always a pleasure for me to come to Morocco. I can't wait for the rally to start.’

Source: X-Raid

The Greece Rally 2024 kicked off in the beautiful municipality of Ioannina, Greece, with participants from all over the world coming together for this epic event. Competitors first took on the demanding Prologue Stage, navigating the stunning landscapes around Lake Pamvotida and Mount Mitsikeli, passing through scenic areas like Kryovrysi, Anthrakitis, Karya, and Logades.

After the Prologue, the excitement intensified with a packed ceremonial start, where fans cheered on the international field of competitors as they geared up for the stages ahead.

First to finsh the stage was #1 Roberto Barbieri (ITA), second was #34 Anton Tyll (GER) and third was #302 Michael Gangl (GER)

This year saw a notable increase in Side-by-Side Vehicles (SSV), adding more excitement as these vehicles tackled the rugged terrain with skill and precision.

It was an incredible start to a truly global motorsport adventure in Ioannina!

Source: Greece Rally

Tight fight between the Romagnolo on Toyota Hilux Overdrive and Andrea Schiumarini, who climbs the second step of the podium ahead of Bordonaro-Lovisa, running on Suzuki Grand Vitara. Among SSVs, the crew on Can Am Maverick in Group T3 took their third win of the season. Silver square for Manocchi-Bellotto on Yamaha, third Buttò-Marcon on BRP Can Am.

Rivignano Teor (UD), Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 - A decidedly hard-fought first edition of the Baja dello Stella saw a gripping battle between Manuele Mengozzi and Andrea Schiumarini. A completely new course within the Cross Country and SSV Calendar, valid as the fourth round of the tricolor, which saw the Romagna driver triumph at the wheel of the Toyota Hilux Overdrive, shared with Mirko Brun from Pordenone. The two set the best time in the second and third timed pass of “Anaxum” and, in the final, managed to overtake the Mitsubishi L200 of the Forlì driver, navigated by Daniele Fontana Sacchetti, who finished the race in second place with a 21” gap, after having put his own signature on the first special of the day by immediately moving into the lead. A result that allows Mengozzi to shorten the distance from Schiumarini in the tricolor ranking, with the latter nevertheless retaining the leadership. Third step of the podium for Alfio Bordonaro, paired with Stefano Lovisa on a T1-type Suzuki Grand Vitara, who also brings home his fourth consecutive victory in the Suzuki Challenge. Behind the Catanian reigning Italian champion is Andrea Luchini, author of a fine performance together with navigator Piero Bosco on Grand Vitara Pentastar, ahead of Elvis Borsoi, fifth overall on Mini John Cooper of Group T1 and with Paolo Manfredini in the right seat. They were followed by the two T2-type Suzuki Grand Vitara of Gianluca Morra and Alessandro Trivini Bellini, navigated by Stefano Tironi and Marco Trivini Bellini, who took sixth and seventh place respectively, preceding in turn Stefano Moro, assisted by Luciano Macrini on a Mitsubishi Pajero, first among vehicles belonging to the TH category. Finishing eighth was Filippo Andreetto in a twin car shared with Francesco Maria Proietti, ahead of the other Suzuki Grand Vitara in Group T2 of Alberto Spinetti, accompanied on notes by Lara Giusti, who completed the top ten crews.

Twists and turns also among the Side by Side Vehicles, with Andrea Castagnera scoring his third win of the season alongside Elisa Tassile in the Group T3 Can Am Maverick. Thanks to his victory in Friuli, the driver from Veneto stretches considerably in the championship standings reserved for SSVs over Federico Buttò. Unlucky the Pordenone driver, in the lead until the last stage, when a mechanical failure just 5 kilometers from the finish line forced him to slow down, causing him to slip into third position. Michele Manocchi and Nicola Bellotto, on Yamaha YXZ1000R of Group T4N, took advantage of this, thus claiming second place, with a gap of 2'55” from Castagnera. Finishing fourth was Cristian D'Agnolo, along with Simone Crosilla on a TM-type Maverick X3, while Kevin and Giada Manocchi on another Yamaha T4N were fifth.

Also in evidence was Roberto Camporese at the wheel of the N5-type Volkswagen Polo, with Diego Zanotti at the notes, who closed the Friulian appointment with an overall time of 1:31'30.

Filed the 1st Baja dello Stella, the Italian Cross Country and SSV 2024 Championship will fly to Sardinia next October for the 5th Baja Vermentino - Terre di Gallura, valid as the penultimate round of the tricolor.

CLASSIFICA FINALE BAJA DELLO STELLA CCB: 1. MENGOZZI-BRUN (Toyota Hilux Overdrive) in 1:30'48; 2. SCHIUMARINI-FONTANA SACCHETTI (Mitsubishi l200) a 21; 3. BORDONARO-LOVISA (Suzuki Gran Vitara) a 3'04; 4. LUCHINI-BOSCO (Suzuki Gran Vitara Pentastar) a 4'54; 5. BORSOI-MANFREDINI (Mini Jhon Cooper) a 6'19; 6. MORRA-TIRONI (Suzuki Gran Vitara) a 9'39; 7. TRIVINI BELLINI-TRIVINI BELLINI (Suzuki Gran Vitara) a 9'40; 8. MORO-MACRINI (Mitsubishi Pajero) a 12'07; 9. ANDREETTO-PROIETTI (Mitsubishi Pajero) a 12'25; 10. SPINETTI-GIUSTI (Suzuki Gran Vitara) a 12'25

CLASSIFICA FINALE BAJA DELLO STELLA SSV: 1. CASTAGNERA-TASSILE (Can Am Maverick x3) in 1:31'45; 2. MANOCCHI-BELLOTTO (Yamaha XYZ1000R) a 2'55; 3. BUTTO'-MARCON (BRP Can Am) a 5'15; 4. D'AGNOLO-CROSILLA (Maverick X3) a 16'32; 5. MANOCCHI-MANOCCHI (YAMAHA XYZ1000R) a 5:40'11

Automatic translation of the Italian Version
Source: ACI Sport