DAKAR RACING NEWS: Manuel Andújar Set to Co-Drive SSV in Rally Raid San Juan
Fresh off his Quad title victory in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), Manuel Andújar is gearing up for a new challenge as he prepares to co-drive a Can-Am Maverick in the upcoming Rally Raid San Juan in Argentina. Andújar will be paired with fellow W2RC competitor Juan Cruz Yacopini, who will pilot the vehicle.
The news was first reported by the Argentinian publication Campeones on Tuesday. The Rally Raid San Juan, which takes place from June 28-30, is the third round of the Campeonato Argentino de Rally Raid (CaNav Rally Raid), the premier cross-country rally series in Argentina.
Andújar’s decision to transition to the SSV (Side-by-Side Vehicle) category comes just four weeks after he secured the W2RC Quad title at the Desafío Ruta 40 event in his home country. Although the W2RC season still has one more round in Morocco, Andújar has chosen to skip the Rallye du Maroc, as the race is often used as a dress rehearsal for the Dakar Rally, which will no longer feature the Quad class starting in 2025.
“The Dakar Rally has been a significant part of Andújar’s career, as he won the event’s final Quad category in January.”
While the initial plans were difficult to coordinate, the two found an opportunity in the upcoming Rally Raid San Juan. The event presents an exciting new chapter for Andújar, who had initially considered taking a sabbatical from rally raid following the Desafío Ruta 40, including skipping the 2025 Dakar Rally, to focus on his future plans.
The transition to the SSV class is a common path for former Quad riders, as seen with the likes of Josef Macháček, Ignacio Casale, and Sergei Kariakin, all of whom have found success in side-by-side vehicles after their Dakar Quad victories. Andújar’s move into the SSV category opens the door to a potential full-time commitment in the class, should he desire and be able to pursue it.
The Rally Raid San Juan promises an exciting new challenge for Andújar as he embarks on this next phase of his rally raid career. Fans of the sport will eagerly follow his progress as he teams up with Yacopini in the Can-Am Maverick, marking a significant transition for the former Quad champion.
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