São Paulo – Born in Santa Catarina, Pâmela Bozzano is first Brazilian female driver to race Dakar Rally. She raced in category T3, alongside navigator Cadu Sachs. The edition took place in Saudi Arabia and ended last Sunday (15). Besides Bozzano, other 51 women from different countries participated in the races that covered tracks in the Arabian Gulf.
Despite not being able to complete one of the races for technical issues with the car, Bozzano and her teammate complete 14 rally stages. Before Dakar, she had competed in races like Rally dos Sertões and the South American Rally Race (SARR) in Argentina. But for the race Saudi race she took a special training. “I did a very hard physical and mental preparation to be able to get through all those days of rally,” Bozzano told ANBA.
During the races, the pilot went through ups and downs, with familiar and unfamiliar routes. “The first few days were easier for me, as I went through terrains that were similar to those in Argentina where I raced last year. But the dunes were certainly very hard for me, although I took a pilot training in Peru last year,” she said.
Bozzano explained that although she was Brazil’s first female driver to race the rally, she saw a larger female presence in Dakar. “Unlike Brazil, here you find many more women both competing and participating in the event. I found it amazing to see so many women. Of course, compared to the number of men we’re still few, but I believe it’s growing more and more,” she said.
Finally, when asked about what she takes from the 2023 Dakar Rally, she points out new knowledge and goals. “I’ve learned a lot, including the fact that it isn’t just up to me and the driving, the car must be in perfect condition. It’s a very taxing race for both us and the car,” Bozzano said. Her new goals include going back to Dakar and completing all special stages next time. “And I also want to race a Baja1000 by myself,” she says on the long-distance race she plans on exploring.
Brazil on the podium
And the Brazilian team that competed in the Dakar Rally ranking this year amounted to 10. They included navigator Gustavo Gugelmin, alongside US pilot Austin Jones, was crowned champion in UTV T3 category. Dakar said that Brazil’s Lucas Moraes is the first newcomer to reach the top 3 in the race since the victory of Juha Kankkunen in 1988.
Other Brazilians competing in Saudi Arabia were Marcelo Medeiros, Bruno Conti de Oliveira, Pedro Bianchi Prata, Rodrigo Luppi de Oliveira, Maykel Justo, Cristiano Batista, Enio Bozzano Junior, and Luciano Gomes.
Translated by Guilherme Miranda
