The Formula E driver survived the 3.700km and nine days race throughout Brazil's landscapes realizing the dream of racing with his mother. He wasn't the only circuit ace to prove itself on America's biggest rally

Mission accomplished for Sacha Fenestraz on Sertões BRB Rally. The Formula E driver chose the brazilian race to realize the dream of share the cockpit with his mother, Stephanie, a former Dakar Rally codriver, in an UTV. If everything was new for the franco-argentinian, he showed a huge capacity to learn and adapt to tackle a gruelling 3.700km and eight stage rally. Sacha finished in a 46th place among the 89 entrants, a result that could be better if a mechanical problem had't force the duo to lose three hours on the general classification.

"It was something incredible, Sertões Rally is amazing. We sleeped few hours each night, sometimes I spent 12 hours driving straight and had to adapt to hear my mom's notes to keep myself on the route, which is not simple to someone used to race alone. And it's quite different not to be in a tight cockpit, with wind and dust coming all the time. I enjoyed the experience from the first kilometer to the last. And yes, I'll be back next year".

And not only Sacha and his mother represented Fenestraz family on Sertões BRB Rally. Raoul Fenestraz, Sacha's father, raced with experienced argentinian codriver Adrian Torlaschi to also finish the race.

Fenestraz wasn't the only proven name from the race tracks to tackle Sertões BRB Rally. A Trans-Am and IMSA stalwart, Gar Robinson also made his rallly debut in Brazil. Invited by his LMP2 partner Felipe Fraga, the texan drove a Can-Am Maverick X3 with Brendan Rowan as the codriver. After having mechanical troubles on Stage 2, they recovered on the following days and showed competitive times despite the fact that their machine was almost standard (to comply with UTV3 class rules). The 58th final place didn't do justice to Gar's pace. For him also, the experience was one to remember.

"This is our first rally, period. I come from the endurance sportscars so, I kind of understand how to take care of the car, but it was a whole lot to learn. Our goals were just to improve and go well throughout each stage. On the last one I can say we had everything dialled in. It's way harder than race a Rolex 24, as an example. More than a week driving, I'm pretty exausted. It was such a great adventure, that gaves us the chance of discovering Brazil. So much fun", he described.

Fraga itself made strides and became one of the UTV main contenders. The brazilian Stock Car champion, IMSA and GT3 proven name not only finished again Sertões BRB Rally (2023 was his first year), but also won the UTV2 class with his Can-Am Maverick X3, earning a fifth position overall among 89 vehicles.

And it's worth to mention Nelson Piquet Jr. In his fifth participation, the Formula E champion was fighting for an UTV2 class podium until the very last stage, when mechanical gremlins deprived him of a better result. Nelsinho won the UTV3 class in 2023.

Source: Sertões BRB
Photo: Victor Eleutério/Fotop/Sertões