A legendary name in Brazilian off-road motorsport, Mitsubishi Motors once again made its presence felt at the 2025 Sertões Rally, clinching wins and leaving a lasting mark on the trails of the biggest rally in the Americas. With a powerful lineup—15 cars entered across different classes and 60 support vehicles provided to event organizers—Mitsubishi proved its relentless passion for off-road with victories, unmatched reliability, and the kind of performance that keeps it the top choice for teams and drivers who demand mechanical strength, easy maintenance, and real value through the brutal 33rd edition of Sertões.
In the main category, Ultimate T1+, the duo Guiga Spinelli and Youssef Haddad steered their all-Brazilian-developed Triton Ultimate Racing to an impressive 5th overall. Their standout moment? Taking the win in the event’s toughest stage—from Petrolina (PE) to Delmiro Gouveia (AL)—considered the most technical and demanding of the entire route, underlining just how competitive this project has become in only its second Sertões appearance.
Mitsubishi also swept the podium in the Ultimate SP class, with Pedro Marcondes and Celso Watashi (Braço Curto Team) claiming victory, followed by Fabio Cadasso and Marcus Chagas (RMattheis), and Ricardo Aguiar and Tony Modesto (Cajupi Racing Team)—all behind the wheel of L200 Tritons.
More strong results came from Paulo Pichini and Paulo Simões (5th in Ultimate BR with the L200 Evo of Go2Next Rally Team) and from Cristiano Rocha and Anderson Geraldo, who finished 2nd in Ultimate PRO in their L200 Triton for Atvos Bioracing.
But perhaps the most emotional moment for Mitsubishi fans came with the debut of the new Sertões Classic category, for vehicles over 20 years old. Mitsubishi returned to the dirt with the legendary L200 RS 2.5 Diesel, overall winner of the 2006 Sertões. Restored in just 40 days, the car hit the stages with its original paint, colors, and even sponsors—including FMC, once again riding alongside Mitsubishi Motors and Rally.Cast.
This project brought together some of the biggest names in Mitsubishi rally history—Guiga Spinelli, Youssef Haddad, and João Franciosi, who drove the winning car in 2006. Behind the wheel for this year’s return: Rodrigo Khezam, with 14 Sertões starts and 18 Mitsubishi Cup seasons, joined by co-driver Frederico Mol. Their victory in the Sertões Classic was a true trip down memory lane, almost 20 years after the original triumph.
All this success is a direct reflection of Mitsubishi Motors’ 4x4 DNA, honed over two decades of organizing the Mitsubishi Cup—the largest one-make rally-raid series in Latin America. The championship, which discovers new talents and puts technical solutions to the ultimate test, is a cornerstone of Mitsubishi’s off-road development in Brazil.
Mitsubishi’s impact went far beyond sporting achievements: its 60-vehicle support fleet was vital to rally logistics, helping the organization not just during the race but also in mapping the route months before the start—crucial support for both the operation and safety of the event.
“As far as Mitsubishi is concerned, Sertões is the ultimate test in Brazil. It’s more than just a competition—it’s where we challenge our engineering, celebrate our off-road heritage, and strengthen long-term partnerships with the biggest names in rally,” says Fernando Julianelli, Mitsubishi Motors Vice President of Branding and Innovation. “We bring Brazilian technology, support the organization, and grow alongside this iconic event.”
After more than two decades on the trails, Mitsubishi Motors remains a true icon of reliability, strength, and tradition in the world of Brazilian rally.
Mitsubishi Spinelli Racing’s official sponsors for the 2025 Sertões Rally: Petrobras Podium, ArcelorMittal, BTG Pactual Wealth Management, W. Truffi Blindados, and FF Seguros, with additional support from Dacar Motorsport, Loctite, and OMP.
Source: Mitsubishi Brasil
Text adapted and translated by our team.
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