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 | Dos Sertoes: The battle between the cars enters a new dimension in Brasil.
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The 19th Edition of the Rally dos Sertoes enters in what can be considered its fourth stage in terms of cars’ technology. Those that were created and developed in Brazil are ready to show their worth in comparison with the cars made in Europe.
If there is something that continuously increases from edition to edition of the Sertoes is the enthusiasm of its participants. Year after year new drivers and co-drivers, new cars and new projects try to show their quality in what can be considered the toughest test track that exists: a rally raid with the profile of the Sertoes.
The 4026 Kms (2 501.6 miles) between Goiania and Fortaleza this year with the announced characteristics of tight sectors that will demand a lot from the cars ‘suspensions is the main reason to guarantee that the focus of the battle is already certain. And just to add insult to injury the total length of the timed sectors is of 2.411 kms (1 498.12 miles), that equals 60% of the total rally.
In the very beginning in 1995 and 1996 (the first two editions with cars participating) the Sertoes witnessed victories of practically series cars. After that it became a feud of the almost last models of the imported Mitsubishi Pajero, which dominated during three years.
Then came the phase where the Brazilian industry developed racing Chevrolet S10 and Mitsubishi L200 trucks with each time more powerful engines and more sophisticated versions to dominate for eight years, four years for each make. Those were followed by two years of absolute supremacy of the official Volkswagen Touereg, not by chance the cars that also controlled the international scenery of the cross country rallies in the period.
This Brazilian popular saying reflects perfectly that the two years domination of the last generation of German technology, left behind more than an impression of unbeatable efficiency, it left a trail of a new mentality. That is why in 2010 car were seen, although with less powerful engines, enhancing their more sophisticated suspensions that allowed for a more comfortable, fast and efficient ride. Another year to be credited to Mitsubishi’s account and that fought for the lead with two cars with different engines but similar concepts.
The imported cars are back with two models of penultimate generation the Diesel powered BMW X3 and the last built Mitsubishi Lancer that the Official team used in the Dakar 2009, equipped with a gasoline engine. The two foreigners will confront with a squad of Brazilian cars that had one full year to perfect the concepts presented in 2010. How will they behave in the narrow and difficult roads that will be used this year? Will the foreign cars maintain their superiority or Brazil already has competitive enough projects?
Mitsubishis, Protons and Sherpas present their newer prototypes and hope to repeat the success of 2011. Even a 4x2 Brazilian prototype will be present, a strong sign that the Rally dos Sertoes’ virus is already spreading at this time of the year.
2011/07/27 | 17:57 CET | ARTICLE: MR/SY/SERTOES
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