"La Estanciera" as defined by its owners, has a tubular chassis and suspension made in Necochea city. The roll cage was also created on the city coast. Its engine is a Ford 221 SP. And the body is fiberglass material, made in Mar del Plata. Buenos Aires city also has contributions to the project: the preparation of the motor by Julio Pardo (Villa Devoto, Buenos Aires) and electronic parts by Alberto Gonzalez (he ran in the last edition of the Dakar in January 2011) in Olivos. "This is all Made in Argentina, Argentina is equal word to motorsport passion". This it the definition of this team.
With the number 454, will race in the T1 class, a division with supercharged gasoline, 4x4 with shaft drive. The suspensions are limited by regulation to a maximum of 30 inches, as it has front and rear differential (different to other vehicles that are typical in the Dakar wich independent suspension on each wheel). Santorelli (the headmaster of the project) spoke with us and right away we noticed that he is a man who is passionate about cars, off road racing and he competed in the National Championship Safari CDA. "I accompanied a friend (Gonzalez) who ran last year. When we arrived at Arica (Chile), I decided to start working in 2012, because I saw small amateur teams, with few resources, and that encouraged me, "says the pilot who will be accompanied by Daniel Crova.
Still on the hunt for sponsors, supporting both private companies and local governments, Santorelli bases its experience in the ten years he ran the National and Provincial Safari, crossing dunes and mud all over the country. The Dakar challenge of last year allowed him to understand that it is a rush to "do not race up to 100 percent, but considering the competition as 24 hours per day, 15 days, with a great weight of the mind."
"Many of us had our first experience in a Jeep Willy 4x4, or a Jeep Estanciera (truck built in argentina and brazil only). And we believe that is possible with our vehicles, our mechanics and our few sponsors. Because I believe that somehow is a reaffirmation of national identity, we are proud. Hopefully we can do well, even a little bit."
This is the original road truck. Designed and built in Argentina between 1957 and 1970. This is an ideal truck for hard working country men, specially the pick-up version known as "Gladiator".
- How do you imagine the Dakar?
- I have 230HP on the accelerator. I think that when times comes, if i need to push the pedal, this engine is going to be there for me. We are thinki about the race all the time. For us the competition started a few months ago when we decided to participate and take the challenge of assembling the Jeep. The nicest thing is very close, we enjoy the most and in this first experience, the goal is to reach Lima.
- What about your strengths and what are your weaknesses?
- We have a very strong car, high spirits and I think a good understanding of how to "play" the Dakar. In terms of weaknesses, though costs with our own resources gives us some independence, it also means that there are things like we do not have the time, as more parts, assistance in the journey ... But we are working to try to get people to trust us and support us. Let's put all of us to celebrate the last day in Lima.
"This is made in Argentina. With our labor, our own dreams. We represent the neighborhood!. And it is a form of revaluing the old tradition of a mechanic-driver that we are losing,"says Santorelli. Authentic Argentine spirit, plus a machine driven by passion, to conquer the dunes and landscapes of the toughest part of the continent.
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