N°904 Classic DESERT ENDURANCE MOTORSPORT

ERMANNO DE ANGELIS

(ita) 1.77m / 74kg

Aficiones

Sports, motors, promotion

Sponsors

Lavor, Guarni&Med, Picasso Automotive, Vittorio Vanini, Suzuki Mostorsport, Dia Brax, Lista, Sparco, Adrenaline 24H, Victorious Motorsport, Binat, Shade Pro, ADB, Italvipla, Cerchio, Trinchero, Sapori Ticino, Paolo Fontiggia

First participation in 2024

Mille Miglia
Hill climbing
6 Ore di Vallelunga
12H Mugello

Interview

“You can never be fully ready for a Dakar”

It’s hard to look at Ermanno De Angelis as a rookie. The founder of Desert Endurance Motorsport has been a key figure in his field for decades, in Lugano and around the world. A lover of antique cars and a seasoned communicator, he stayed in the back office last year as his team first ventured in the Saudi desert with two cars (the iconic Fiat Pandas) and two trucks (Iveco). This time, Ermanno takes over the wheel alongside his wife Nunzia Del Gaudio, co-founder of Desert Endurance Motorsport as well as the Automobile Club Lugano, who already participated in the Dakar Classic 2023 and is used to tackling events such as the Mille Miglia as a navigator for her husband. The couple will be supported aboard their truck by Andrea Cadei, a mechanics who also discovered the world’s greatest rally last year alongside Nunzia (and Beppe Simonato, who was driving the truck).


E.D.A..: “Now, on top of the coordination, I will race with Nunzia, the other founder of the team. That makes a huge difference! And being in a truck makes it a huge challenge. We already have several teams participating in different competitions, on circuits, on the road and off road. Last year’s Dakar was a distinctive experience. We have more people involved ahead of the event this year.
As a team, we provide everything for our crews. The cars are ours, we prepare them, we give the clothing, we guide them with the physical preparation, we organize events, we train them… In ten months, we make sure they’re up for a Dakar. But you can never be fully ready for a Dakar. I met in the Mille Miglia Jacky Ickx, who I used to watch in races. He told me he was starting from scratch in every Dakar. Each edition is different from the other, every day is different… But I’m serene after so many years involved in racing.”


A.D.G.: “Our first Dakar was very moving. From the truck, I had a great view of the race and also the landscapes. It was very demanding. We had some struggles with the rain. But the adrenaline ran so high I remained absolutely fascinated. One day, there was a truck stuck over a high dune. To help him, we need to make a train of three trucks - an Eurocargo at the front, our Iveco in the middle and then that Mercedes that was stuck. It was a moving moment, with everyone helping each other. That’s the spirit of the Dakar.
Ermanno has been my husband for 26 years and he’s my historic pilot in the sense that we do many regularity races together. And in order to complete our list of events, we wanted to do the Dakar Classic. In my mind, the co-pilot has an essential part, not only as a navigator, but also to keep a cool head and tranquillise the pilot, to stay on top of the situation. And it makes it easier for me to be with Ermanno. We’ve been together for so long, I know he understands the way I take notes and navigate him.”


A.C.: “I have the same role as last year, the main difference is the driver. It’s a kind of double shift. During the day, I’m here for anything that can happen in race. And at night, I need to get everything fixed for the next day. So it’s really demanding, almost 24/24. I’m here for Ermanno but of course, if another crew from the team has a problem at night, I’ll give them a hand.
The Dakar is something very special, very hard. Even if everything goes well, it’s a difficult challenge. But it’s also a beautiful one. It’s an event that will take you where a normal person won’t be. I’m happy to return and let’s see what we can do for the coming years!”

Vehículo

DESERT ENDURANCE MOTORSPORT

IVECO ACM 80-17
DESERT ENDURANCE MOTORSPORT

  • IVECO
  • ACM 80-17
  • -
  • -
  • Classic Truck (Media moderada) 87-96

Clasificación 2024

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