“Being at the Dakar is like being at the motorsport Olympics”

After becoming the first rider from Mozambique to enter the Dakar, Paulo Oliveira managed the performance of a lifetime by also reaching the finish of the rally on its bike. 116th overall was good enough for the honour of carrying his flag on the finish podium in Jeddah which was all he was dreaming of. The 49-year-old returned a year later and again managed to finish the rally but this time in a T4 Can-Am Maverick. For his third appearance on the Dakar the businessman born in Portugal has decided to try something different. As a tribute to the history of the event, he will be registered in the Dakar Classic behind the steering wheel of a UMM, a car that used to be built in Portugal for the police and firemen and had its glory days on the Dakar back in the eighties. Oliveira will have at his side Portugal’s Arcelio Couto that he met during a rally in Morocco where both men promised they would go in to do the Dakar together on bikes. This time they’ll be living the dream together in a classic car.

M.O.: “The Dakar in 2022 was a brutal experience, a real physical and mental test. It was my first participation! It was a dream come true. It was also the first time that Mozambique had an athlete present with its flag. For me it was an honour but also a lot of responsibility, the whole country followed my participation. The Dakar is a test of that makes us stronger and defines our personality. Being at the Dakar is like being at the Motorsport Olympic games. I remain a passionate amateur. The Dakar Classic brings back a lot of memories. I think it takes us back to the time when there wasn’t so much technology and the driver’s experience had to be greater. I was born in Portugal and have lived in Mozambique, now I’m Portuguese and Mozambican. I love them, representing Mozambique is like rewarding what I have received.”

A.C.: “It’ll be my debut as a navigator and I hope to be at the height of my driver and friend. We are a bunch of friends, passionate for classic cars and amateur off-road races. With that passion for incredible vintage vehicles and a love for motorsport’s history, we are ready for a new challenge. We intend to honour the tradition of the Dakar. Continuing the legacy of these classic cars is as strong as our desire to win.”