Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS VOLKSWAGEN ILTIS: DAKAR 2021
Held since 1978, the Dakar Rally is already one of the most outstanding events in motorsport. So much so that this 2021 has had for the first time a section of classics. In it we will be able to see again on the sand some of the historical myths of this competition. In this sense, we already told you about the journey of Bilbao Ignacio Corcuera "Livingstone " for the creation of Dakar Classic, as well as the history of your Volswagen Iltis. A very interesting SUV, with which they set out to cross the sands of Saudi Arabia.
With their sights set on making a good regularity, Ignacio Corcuera and his co-driver Iker San Vicente began on January 3 the first edition of the Dakar Classic. Something unknown for being the first time in which there is a category of classics, also counting on the added problem that this edition has added important problems. The first of them all was navigation. Victim of constant changes, the teams could not study the road book in sufficient time.
In addition, as only digital format has been used, the inability to make annotations has been a real nightmare for the co-drivers in this edition of the 2021 Dakar Rally. Difficulties added to an already complex route, in which numerous crashes have been recorded , accidents and even death of pilot Pierre Cherpin. A most complex year, in which at least we have had good news within the Dakar Classic. And, as a reward for the magnificent work done with his Volkswagen Iltis, the team Euskadi 4 × 4 Dakar Team has managed to complete the entire journey.
DAKAR CLASSIC 2021. INAUGURATION WITH BASQUE FLAVOR
The name of Ignacio Corcuera is already known in Basque motorsport. Seasoned in three solo Dakar races, this intrepid ambulance driver with the whims of an adventurer set himself the goal of creating the category Dakar Classic. Something to which he has not only collaborated with his insistence and efforts, but also restoring the 1980 Volkswagen Iltis with which they have remembered the victory of the model in the edition of that same year. A nod to the past with which they wanted to end the Dakar Rally "Even pushing".
Fortunately, it was not necessary, having completed the test with remarkable regularity. In fact, examining their results by stage on the Dakar Classic website, one can appreciate to what extent they have almost always nailed their position on the stage with the same overall. All to finally finish in number 23. Something of the most meritorious, especially considering that the objective of finishing this Dakar Classic has been fully achieved.
And be careful, because regardless of the order of arrival ... At the start they were the first, since the organization gave them the first number -number 200- in the category. A fact that helps to recognize the work of Ignacio Corcuera with the creation of the test. In addition to this good news, we have to review the good participation of more peninsular teams. Like the three vehicles sent by the Classics Competició team, which managed to finish the test. Both the Range Rovers and the Mercedes Unimog truck, which had tire problems that could be remedied in this Dakar Classic.
DAKAR CLASSIC. A BUGGY AS A WINNER
In the first edition of the Dakar Rally, back in 1979, all were doubts and experiments. That is why even handmade vehicles created specifically for the occasion appeared. One of them was Yves Sunhill's sand buggy. An industrial designer with success in designing gadgets such as a bottle opener, who decided to use part of his fortune to make this vehicle which, unfortunately, did not finish the first Dakar due to cooling problems. However, in the second edition it achieved number 11.
After his death in 2012, this buggy has changed hands several times, ending with those of Marc Douton and his co-driver Emilien Etienne. Absolute winners of this first Dakar Classic, they have done so after a major restoration effort with which they have recovered one of the units from the inaugural edition. A story full of charm, even more so when we know that He rides a modest engine taken from a Volkswagen T1. Of course, like Ignacio Corcuera with his Iltis, converting it to electric in future editions is not ruled out either.
A future full of debate, but part of a present in which it has been possible to take the world of classics to a test as special as the Dakar Rally. After this first experience, we hope that the Dakar Classic gradually settle down, offering the possibility of exhibiting on the sand as interesting and well-done restoration projects as the Basque Livingstone with its Iltis or the French winners with their buggy. We will see it next year.
