- The South American duo made up of Argentine Bruno Jacomy (co-driver) and Chilean Lucas del Río arrives in Saudi Arabia after an intense season where they raced together for the first time.
- With a T3.1 UTV, they will seek to position themselves among the leaders and reach the desired top 5 overall in their category.
- “We have done things well during the year, we are a solid team that knows how to face the adversities of the races.”
Source: Somos Dakar. Link to the note.
After completing the 2022 Dakar with Thomas Bell and competing in the Abu Dhabi Challenge in February, Bruno Jacomy changed teams and went on to represent South Racing Europe together with the pilot Lucas del Río, who relied on his navigation skills to put together a project facing the Dakar 2023.
The date has arrived, and after many kilometers together, the South Americans are ready to start their first Dakar together.
“I was more than satisfied with the Dakar 2022 in that I was 7th in T3. After Abu Dhabi I ended the relationship with my previous team and Lucas suggested that I run the remainder of the year and the 2023 Dakar with South Racing Europe. Since then we have competed in several competitions and we feel very motivated, eager to start”, says Bruno Jacomy before the race.
“This will be my first Dakar with Lucas. We have asked to make it more difficult, since the more difficult, the better. It levels up and this makes us better professionals”, he expressed in relation to this year’s tour.
Regarding the expectations with hours to go, Jacomy assured: “We are really looking forward to it. With Lucas we have been racing all year in the world championship and in the Chilean Championship, preparing for this Dakar. We are very confident because we have done things well throughout the year, and because we are a solid team, we feel good together. We know how to overcome the adversities and obstacles that are crossed in the races. Our goal is a top 10, and we dream of a top 5.”
“I thank the team, the family, and Lucas for trusting me,” the Argentine closed.
Concerning Lucas del Río, the Chilean commented: “My debut Dakar left me super satisfied. I barely had two years of experience in this sport when I rode the Dakar and to have been able to do it at a good level, within the top ten, was incredible. In stage 8 we had a mechanical failure, we tried to fix it and we were out for exceeding the maximum time. In any case, it served as a lesson for us.”
“In Morocco, we came with an impeccable rhythm, but on day 3 we broke the rear bars and that took us about 30 or 40 minutes that made us lose the podium, which left a bitter taste. Now we are in the T3 category because it uses more resistant differentials and half-axles, in a Dakar that is presented as long and tougher. We know that it is a more competitive class and this will surely make it an even more entertaining Dakar. Physically and mentally we are well prepared. I feel that we have formed a good team. Aim? Our goal is the top 5”, concluded the trans-Andean.
Text: Luciano Schiffer – Somos Dakar
Photos: MCH Photo
Testimonials
Bruno Jacomy:
“I was more than satisfied with the Dakar 2022 in that I was 7th in T3. After Abu Dhabi I ended the relationship with my previous team and Lucas suggested that I run the remainder of the year and the 2023 Dakar with South Racing Europe. Since then we have played several competitions and we feel very motivated, eager to start.
This will then be my first Dakar with Lucas. We have asked to make it more difficult, since the more difficult, the better. It levels up and this makes us better professionals.
We are looking forward to it. With Lucas we have been racing all year in the world championship and in the Chilean Championship, preparing for this Dakar. We are very confident because we have done things well throughout the year, and because we are a solid team, we feel good together. We know how to overcome the adversities and obstacles that are crossed in the races. As a goal we have a top 10, and we dream of a top 5.
I thank the team, the family, and Lucas for trusting me.”
Lucas del Río:
“The Dakar of my debut left me super satisfied. I barely had two years of experience in this sport when I rode the Dakar and to have been able to do it at a good level, within the top ten, was incredible. In stage 8 we had a mechanical failure, we tried to fix it and we were out for exceeding the maximum time. In any case, it helped us learn.
In Morocco, we came with an impeccable pace, but on day 3 we broke the rear bars and that took us about 30 or 40 minutes that made us lose the podium, which left a bitter taste. Now we are in the T3 category because it uses more resistant differentials and half-axles, in a Dakar that is presented as long and tougher. We know that it is a more competitive class and this will surely make it an even more entertaining Dakar. Physically and mentally we are well prepared. I feel that we have formed a good team. Aim? Our goal is the top 5.”
The team is supported by: Q Analytics IT company, Maxus, Cervecería Colina, P1 Training.