Miguel Sánchez
Reviewing the list of winners of the Safari Rally during its first seventeen editions is most interesting. And it is that, until the growing professionalization of the test from the Official Team Datsun Appearing in 1970, most of the winning models were reliable series cars from segment D. In this way, the Peugeot 404 stands out with its four victories, three of them consecutive. But also a Ford Cortina and even an elegant and not at all measured in its size Mercedes 220SE. In short, all of them vehicles only adapted in terms of protections, tank and suspensions to compete in one of the toughest tests ever convened in the history of motorsports.
Thus, after having looked at the contemplation of according to what cars in unexpected circumstances, the Spain Classic Raid might not surprise so much. However, it is still impossible not to look twice at some of the photographs that emerge from it. For us, the most mesmerizing is the 1950 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn merrily wading through a river. A surprising shot, which is followed by that of a SEAT 131 skidding on a dirt track or that of a Marbella negotiated sections of snow. All of them true tributes to the spirit of the great African rallies. Where reliability prevailed more than power for the greater glory of brands like Peugeot or Mercedes.
However, the 150 who took the exit of the VIII Spain Classic Raid they did not have to travel to Kenya to live emotions aboard their classics. Far from it, the departure took place in Santander on March 26 to arrive in Seville on April 2. After having traveled 2.100 kilometers through the Iberian Peninsula through eight stages marked by mud, rain and puddles. Quite a challenge to the endurance of the teams. But also for the robustness of some mechanics exposed to the rigors of driving on dirt tracks. Not surprisingly, the Spain Classic Raid is the regularity test on land with the most kilometers among all those held in Europe.
VIII SPAIN CLASSIC RAID, NO NEED TO BE OFF-ROAD
If we mentioned the Safari Rally before, it is not only because some images of the Spain Classic Raid could remind us of the classic times of that time. But also because, as in the great African rallies, the most important thing is not to have all-wheel drive or 4 × 4. The most important thing is the constancy and reliability of the mechanics. In this way, among the first three classified in this eighth edition, a trend already seen before is repeated: the scarcity of SUVs.
In fact, the winner of this VIII Spain Classic Raid was an Audi 80. Third was a Peugeot 205 and yes, in second place was an adapted Mitsubishi Montero. A podium that once again demonstrates that, even though it is a test on dirt, there is room here for all kinds of classics regardless of whether they have front, rear, total or 4×4 traction.
In addition, the proven organization of the event provides facilities and security to the teams. Counting on assistance cars delivered by Suzuki as well as with the sponsorship of Bosch. In short, reliable logistics at the service of off-road driving enjoyment. We are already looking forward to seeing what the IX edition holds.
