Rally dos Sertões begins with Martim Ventura leading MT2 Class

The Rally dos Sertões, the largest rally in the Americas, has commenced with competitive action in Goiânia. Portuguese driver Martim Ventura, supported by Honda HRC and bp Ultimate, recorded the fastest time in the MT2 Class during the prologue, also securing the fourth-best overall time.

The competition involves a total of 4,020 timed kilometers through August 30. Following the prologue, the first stage moves competitors from Goiânia toward Cavalcante, covering 651 km, including 343 km of timed racing.

Technical demands for the event are extreme, with high-performance rally vehicles such as the South African-made Century CR7 valued at approximately R$ 3 million. These vehicles require rigorous maintenance and complex logistics, as critical components like differentials and gearboxes are sourced internationally from the United States and other regions. Drivers emphasize that mechanical reliability is as vital as speed, given the harsh terrain of sand and rocks encountered over the eight-day race.