The experienced Ecuadorian pilot Sebastián Guayasamín will represent Ecuador in the 45th edition of the Dakar Rally which will take place from December 31 to January 15, 2023, for the fourth time in Saudi Arabia.

He Dakar Rally is the start date of the World Rally Raid organized by the FIA ​​International Automobile Federationwhere Guayasamín took 11th place in 2022. The Ecuadorian will receive the support of experienced co-driver Ricardo Torlaschi from Argentina, and the technical support of the German team South Racing, winner of the last five editions.

Argentinian Ricardo Torlaschi (i) will be Guayasamín’s co-driver for the third consecutive year. Photo: courtesy

The weather is ideal for Guayasamin to dream of taking the Ecuadorian flag to the podium, in the most difficult, most dangerous and most important race in the world. “Now I would like to be among the best three in the world. It’s a very long race and anything can happen, but I have the best car, one of the best co-drivers, the best team. It’s a long time to be at the top” said the 42-year-old competitor.

Dakar Rally reveals ‘unprecedented’ route for 2023

The 2023 Dakar Rally will cover all of Saudi Arabia from coast to coast, there are 8,549 kilometers in 15 days of racing, of which 4,706 kilometers are speed specials. It starts on December 31 with a qualifying prologue at 00:15 Ecuadorian time.

Ready for the big challenge

Guayasamín and Torlaschi have been preparing all year for the big rematch in the Arabian desert.

I am at the peak of my sports career because experience is very important in the Dakar Rally, this is my ninth participation in the toughest rally in the world and I am doing this together with the best co-driver and the best team.

Sebastian Guayasamin

For this new challenge of the South Americans the organization has designated the number #430 in the T4 category and they will do so aboard a South Racing team CAN-AM, one of the most important structures of the Rally Raid worldwide. “We expect a brutal battle in the 2023 Dakar Rally, where we will present a lineup with at least 26 vehicles between the two categories T3 and T4, where we are the current world champions,” said Scott Abraham, team manager.

The 2023 Dakar Rally will cover all of Saudi Arabia from coast to coast, there are 8,549 kilometers in 15 days of racing. Photo: courtesy

ANDThat’s why for the third consecutive year veteran Argentinian co-driver Ricardo Torlaschi will join the Ecuadorian driver in the right seat. “There will be many miles of competition and many miles of good navigation, resistance and a cool head to brave the gigantic dunes that Arabia has. The organization for this year has prepared for the end of the rally the marathon stage, where we have no mechanical help and our resistance is tested,” said Ricardo at the end of his training in the city of Mendoza, Argentina.

Brad Salazar will participate in the Dakar rally with the Lumenia Racing Team in the T3 light prototype category

Guayasamín and the whole team are very motivated, assuring that they have the experience, the best car and the desire to be in the top 3. In January 2022 they had an accident on stage 10 that left them off the podium, so this year they will get their revenge. “We thank our sponsors who support us year after year to represent Ecuador at the top of world motorsport,” said Guayasamin, who will travel to the Arab country in the coming days.