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The last farewell of Estanislao Reverter, Rías Baixas 1986

Beyond riding, Estanislao Reverter was a versatile man who also knew how to manage his own teams. Due to this, he reappeared unexpectedly in the Rías Baixas in 1986

There are few places on the peninsula where the love for rallies is lived in such an intense way as in Ourense. In fact, in the center of its urban area, an imposing sculptural group has stood for years where José Antonio Colemán and Estanislao Reverter are represented together with a replica of the Alpinche in its initial state. Definitely, A whole declaration of intent on the importance of sports motorsport in Galicia. A fact achieved thanks to characters like Estanislao Reverter himself.

Passionate about mechanics since he was little, his first steps in racing took place on the back of a motorcycle. However, as soon as he could, he jumped on four wheels, debuting with a Renault 4/4 in the FASA Trophy in 1955. After this, the following year he continued in a FIAT 1400 with which he came to compete in the Rally of the Pyrenees. Thus, in 1959 the first sports car as such finally arrived thanks to a Deutsche-Bonnet Panhard with a fiberglass body and an 850 cubic centimeter engine and 58CV for only 640 kilos.

One of the first images of the Galician pilot in competition.

However, during the previous year Estanislao Reverter had made his debut in the Monte Carlo Rally at the same time as won the RACE Rally aboard a Dyna Panhard Z1. In this way, the Galician was already showing excellent ways, managing to become professional by competing more and more events on the national calendar.

With this Panhard Reverter he began to compete beyond the Pyrenees.

In fact, in 1963 he finally achieved a season with up to eight trophies disputed, highlighting the inaugural edition of the Rías Bajas Rally. In addition, he attended that appointment with a Ford Lotus Cortina. A truly sensational vehicle, winning with Jim Clark at the controls the British Touring Car Championship in 1964.

In 1963 Reverter began to compete with the Goggomobil, which he would also use in the Rías Bajas edition in 1964.

All this in clear contrast to the Goggomobil T350 with which Reverter entered the following year's edition. And it is that, in terms of driving, this Galician always showed a great capacity for adaptation. Moreover, while in the Cortina he achieved the nineteenth position, in the small microcar manufactured in the Basque Country, it achieved twelfth position. In any case, what is really important is to see how the driver from Orense had already begun his close relationship with the Rallye Rías Bajas.

In fact, he registered a total of thirteen times, presenting a range of vehicles ranging from the aforementioned Goggomobil and Ford Lotus Cortina to an Alfa Romeo GTA, a Porsche 911R or, of course, his iconic alpinche. Model thanks to which he achieved two victories in this rally, harvested together with his nephew Tucho's as co-driver in 1972 and 1973. However, in 1975 the driving activity of Estanislao Reverter suddenly ceased. Not surprisingly, it was in that year that the Alpinche suffered a decisive accident that led it to remain immobile until its recent restoration.

In 1963 his career took off in a notorious way, using a Ford-Lotus Cortina in some events of the year.

In addition, the appointments held during that season aboard the BMW 2002 were not entirely satisfactory either. With all this, the withdrawal towards other activities came naturally. In fact, at that time, Estanislao Reverter was committed to managing his Ford dealerships, promoting the construction of a circuit in Ourense, and even participating in politics as a parliamentarian in the constituent courts for the UCD. In short, a truly versatile man who also found time to lead the Reverter Competición team.

THE LAST RETURN OF ESTANISLAO REVERTER TO RÍAS BAIXAS

For the purposes of record, possibly the RACE 1975 Rally was the official retirement of Estanislao Reverter. In fact, the following year he was only seen behind the wheel in a testimonial way during the Two Hours of the R8 TS at the Jarama Circuit. However, his activity training pilots and preparing vehicles was quite intense. Something from which young promises like Pio Alonso or Beny Fernández benefited, both with a European projection as their mentor used to indicate to the new generations.

In this context, Estanislao Reverter returned in a curious and unexpected way to the Rías Baixas Rally. Specifically during the 1986 edition, thus signing what was to be his thirteenth and last participation after eleven years retired from the wheel. Now how did all this happen? Well, in addition to being dedicated to managing his companies, the incombustible Galician pilot He was still united by two issues to the competition. The first dealt with the management of the Orense Rally, which became part of the Spanish Cup. And the second, related to the management of the team formed by the network of FIAT dealers in Galicia.

Accident suffered by the Alpinche in 1975, being the end of its trajectory until the recent restoration promoted by the Estanislao Reverter Foundation.

In this way, wanting to test on the ground some new adjustments made in the FIAT Uno Turbo ie of Pío Alonso, he enrolled in the Rías Baixas 1986 with his nephew Tucho in co-piloting. Exactly the same duo that, for two consecutive years back in the seventies, won the victory in this same rally on the back of the mythical Alpinche. Regarding the result, there is nothing noteworthy to comment on. However, that matters little.

Reverter's last appearance in the competition during the Rías Baixas in 1986.

Not surprisingly, that fleeting and unexpected participation was Estanislao Reverter's final farewell to the test in which he had enrolled the most times during his time competing. In addition, she did it by improving the car for one of his pupils. A great example of how a good driver will always know how to cooperate and work as a team in pursuit of his team.

Photographs: Estanislao Reverter Foundation

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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