Adrian Metge (Motorcycle); Bruno Varela / Ari Fiuza (UTV) and Glauber Fontoura / Rodrigo Khezam (Car) confirm victories after the third and decisive day of the event, for the Brazilian Rally Raid Championship
Champions defined in the 2024 edition of Rally Minas Brasil, valid for the Brazilian Rally Raid CBA (third race) and CBM (second race). The 204 km route, with a timed special of 171 km, completed the three days of competition on roads around Araxá (MG) that challenged drivers and navigators with different types of terrain and different conditions. The special stages were considered very technical and fast by the participants, crossing regions of beautiful scenery.
In all three disciplines (motorcycle, car and UTV), those who started Saturday ahead in the overall standings celebrated later on top of the podium. On two wheels, Adrien Metge (Yamaha WR 450 F / IMS Yamaha) confirmed his double championship and remained undefeated this year in the Brasileiro. The Frenchman had the North American Mason Klein (Honda CRF 450RX / Honda Racing), world champion in the Rally 2 category in 2022, to contend with until the last kilometer. The stage, in fact, brought a few scares. “He rode very well. I got a good rhythm going, but I made a mistake at the start, then I had a problem with the front brake, which went down a lot. I kept my concentration and won the stage and the rally.”
Argentinian Martin Duplessis (Honda CRF 450RX / Honda Racing) was the third foreigner in the top three. Fourth and best Brazilian, Gabriel Bruning (Yamaha WR 450 F / IMS Yamaha), won the Moto 2 category.
In the UTVs, the Varela surname dominated the standings for the third day. This time with Rodrigo Varela, alongside navigator Matheus Mazzei (Can-Am Maverick / Varela Can-Am Monster Energy). Faster on the previous two days, his brother Bruno Varela, in a duo with Ari Fiuza, this time tried to manage the good lead to confirm the overall victory. For him, it was also his second victory in Minas Brasil, after the one in 2022. “It was quite a rally. Perfect navigation, we arrived with the car in one piece every day, now we have to celebrate,” said Bruno. Second place for Deni do Nascimento / Gunnar Dums (Can-Am Maverick / Bompack Racing).
After taking the lead among the cars the day before, Glauber Fontoura / Rodrigo Khezam (Toyota Hilux V8 / FD Rally Team) did a strategic, risk-free last stage and secured the overall victory. “We came to fight for first place. Everything worked out, we did a good job and we succeeded. The race is a lot of fun, the special stages are fantastic and the organization is to be congratulated,” said navigator Khezam. Pedro Queirolo / Lauro Sobreira placed the duo's Buggy Giaffone V8 in second position.
Race director Fernando Bentivoglio emphasized the success of all the work put into the event. “The sixth edition of Rally Minas Brasil is over and we're happy to have delivered an event that pleased the participants. The region provided us with excellent conditions for designing a varied, demanding and, at the same time, fun route. I would like to thank the sponsors, supporters, those involved in the organization and everyone who made it possible for us to provide a high-level event. Congratulations to the champions.
Rally Minas Brasil was valid for the Brazilian Rally Raid Championship CBM (second race) and CBA (third race).
This text was translated by IA from the original Brazilian Portuguese version
Source: Rallymakers
Photo: Rapha Rodrigues
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