“It's a way of life”

Gerard Farrès is back. For his 17th Dakar, the driver from Manresa will once again race for the factory South Racing Can-Am team with the aim of fighting for everything. In his sixth participation in an SSV, the Catalan dreams of that big Touareg trophy after finishing runner-up twice and fifth last January. But his return to the Arabian desert has not been easy. He has had to wait until the last moment to get all the necessary support. Farrés has been a familiar face in the world's toughest rallies for years and is one of those special, inimitable characters rally-raids are known for. He debuted on a motorbike in 2006 when the Dakar was still an African adventure and was the best rookie of the 119 riders that year. He has always been a team man and was a raid assistance teammate for Marc Coma and Chaleco Lopez, from whom he learned the ways of the desert. He made history in 2019, finishing third for the first time with the private Spanish team Himoinsa in an almost impossible feat and with his eternal smile after a tough battle against the factory machines until the last few metres of the final special stage. But his path led him to four wheels in 2019 when he debuted with an unexpected second place in the SSV category. Since then, he has consolidated his place in the South Racing Can-Am team. The Spanish driver also runs a co-driver representation agency, and the fruit of this is his relationship with Diego Ortega Gil - an ex-quad racer and mechanical engineer by profession - with whom he raced alongside for the first time on the Prologue of the 2022 Dakar. Since January 2023, they have not competed in any event together (Ortega Gil did compete in the Morocco Rally with Chaleco López). But they have often tested in the deserts of Monegros and Morocco on four and two wheels, with which they have thoroughly honed their navigation skills, supported by Miguel Puertas. After so many months of uncertainty, the Spanish pair are ready to battle again. The only objective is to fight again for victory in Saudi Arabia.

G. F: “We have had to work very hard this year, and it hasn't been easy because sometimes it costs more to get here than to compete, even though it is the toughest race in the world. I only have to thank South Racing because I've been racing with them for five years, with all their support. As a kid, I dreamt about this race and still do as an adult; it's a way of life. We'll have carte blanche to fight for everything this year, but we haven't raced since last January. We will have to go from less to more with intelligence, and I hope to fight for the podium. Having Diego is special for me because he is one of those people who makes everything easy, prioritising values above all else. I would also like to thank all my sponsors and family for being there for me in difficult times; their support in adverse circumstances is greatly appreciated”.

D. O. G.: “My dream was always to do the Dakar on a quad, but when I saw that it wouldn't be possible due to a lack of sponsors and budget, I accepted an offer to co-drive. I've been with Gerard for two editions, and although it has been very complicated to make it to the start line this year, we've done it. Our aspirations are the highest. Several rivals have switched to the Challengers (T3), and our goal has to be to win no matter what. It will be an extremely tough Dakar, with just a few stages under 400 km timed and the unknown of the 48h Chrono in the Empty Quarter. Once again this year, I want to thank my main sponsor for allowing me to remain at the forefront of this discipline”.