The ‘king of the desert’ is heading into his 14th Dakar
CREW FACTS
F-L.C
- 'Chaleco' is undoubtedly one of the superstars of the world's most gruelling competition, winning the 2019, 2021, and 2022 Dakar in the SSV category.
- The Chilean made his Dakar debut in 2007 when the rally was still held in the African sands. In his seven participations in the Bike category between 2007 and 2014, he finished twice on the podium with third place in 2010 and 2013. In 2011, he finished fourth, while the other four Dakars ended in retirement. In all, ‘Chaleco’ collected 11 stage wins.
- After a five-year hiatus, the Curicó native returned to the Dakar in 2019 in a new category, the side-by-side, adapting quickly and winning the title in the edition held in Peru. In 2020, the Dakar, now in Saudi Arabia, he finished third, with two stage victories. In 2021, ‘Chaleco’ dominated, taking the Touareg in two categories, light vehicles and SSV, with five stage victories.
- In 2022, up against the Red Bull drivers of the time, Cristina Gutierrez and Seth Quintero, 'Chaleco' didn't need a stage win to return to the T3 podium's top step. That same year, he won the SSV T3 Prototypes world championship, 15 years after winning the two-wheel crown in 2006.
- In 2023, the Chileans experienced a dramatic moment - with images that went viral - trying to prevent a flash flood from sweeping away their Can-Am during stage 3. They managed to save the car and finished in fifth place. In 2024, they finished fourth despite a hiccup in week two.
- With a more powerful vehicle and confidence in his great team, ‘the king of the desert’ is ready to fight to be among the best in Dakar
J.P.L.
- By his side, co-driver and engineer Juan Pablo Latrach begins his 12th Dakar.
- Juan Pablo made his Dakar debut in 2010 and his first four editions in South America - in those years, he co-drove for his father Jorge, with his best result being 25th place in 2011.
- In 2019, Juan Pablo switched to the SSV category as Hernán Garcés' co-driver.
- In the 2020 edition, he started his successful cycle with ‘Chaleco’ Lopez, securing third place in the SSV category, and victories in the Light Vehicles TT and SSV categories in 2021, a triumph they repeated in 2022 in the T3 category.
- With his vast navigation experience, Juan Pablo is coming off a busy racing season, which included the Chilean championship in the UTV T3 division and his participation in the Ultimate category with Hernán Garcés in the recent Rally of Morocco.
AMBITTION 2025
F. L C.: “In 2024, we finished fourth. It was not easy to compete with the other teams. At one point, we were third, 15 minutes behind the leader. The second week was more complex because we had a few punctures, leaving us far behind, but overall, we did well.”
“The Can-Am we tested in September and Morocco is going very well. It's under development. It's more powerful, and I really like its new gearbox. It's a very fun gearbox because we no longer have the centrifugal engine, which means more power, more torque, and it reacts better, which suits me much better.”
“This is my 14th Dakar, and I am more experienced. We have a good relationship with the mechanics, the team and all the people we have with us, which makes us very competitive. The navigation is always complex; there are surprises every year, but luckily, we have always resolved them as quickly as possible. Juan Pablo Latrach does a tremendous job. We get on well in the car, leading us to always be competitive from the first kilometre to the finish line. We hope it will be the same in 2025. We are going with a slightly more powerful car, with a more developed suspension and tyres. Every day, we are working to be among the best.”
J-P.L.: “With 'Chaleco' in 2024 we did a good Dakar. We were very close to the podium. He wanted to be at the top. We didn't make it but are motivated to get there.”
“I went to Morocco with Hernán Garcés. The experience was really interesting and terrific. We raced in an Overdrive Toyota T1+. It is solid. I brushed up on my navigation because you have to go faster and be more attentive to many things. Morocco was tough, as it will be in the 2025 Dakar. We got a good idea of what it will be like.”
“There will be a lot of navigation. I've done well in that respect every year. I'm confident. The more difficult it is, the better we can get through it. 'Chaleco' is also extremely deft in the dunes, so there will be more days to attack. He is the reference in this category, so the goal is always to win. I'm excited and hope to do my best.”
