Going for gold in the Panafrica Raid

JAVEA residents Rui Cabaço and Juanjo Llido will race for the third consecutive time in the Panafrica Raid using a standard PGO buggy.

The drivers will have to contend with more than 2,500km through Moroccan deserts in six stages between the 5th and the 10th of September.

They hope to better the second position they obtained last year, to repeat their victory of the previous year and to end among the first ten in the overall classification which includes motorbikes, cars and quads.

The PGO official team has once again put their trust in them to show the robust reliability and competitiveness of the PGO 500i BugRacer, the only strictly standard-model buggy to take the starting line in this tough adventure.

The duo has been training intensively and have spared no efforts. “It’s very important for the PGO brand to demonstrate this vehicle’s virtues; it is the only standard, production line buggy to participate,” said Rui.

Both Rui and Juanjo have carried our various test runs and an overland trip in Morocco, taking advantage of planning the Maroc Challenge Raid. “This has given us an extra opportunity to get to know this country as the Panafrica Raid is the toughest orientation raid there is,” said Juanjo.

It could almost be considered a mini Dakar, as the average daily distance is about 400 kilometres off-road, with extreme temperature contrasts. At night it’s very cold and at noon we reach nearly 50 degrees Celsius. Last year I got dehydrated and had to drive for two stages with fever and vomiting. “

Undoubtedly, the characteristics of the Raid Panáfrica will put all participants and machines to the test, they must overcome six exhausting days of competition with around 10 to12 hours of driving through dunes, rocks, salt lakes. The Rui Cabaço and Juanjo Llido PGO team have the support of Jávea Town hall, Cespa, Midland, CompeGPS, Kfoto  and Masía  Pelarda.

Fans who wish to watch the images or follow the team may do so through the website www.pgoracing.com

Panafrica Raid schedule:

-Stage 1 (05/09/2011): Nador – Mengoub

-Stage 2 (09/06/2011): Mengoub – Erfoud

-Stage 3 (09/07/2011): Erfoud – Erg Chegaga (bivouac)

-Stage 4 (08/09/2011): Erg Chegaga – Erfoud

-Stage 5 (09/09/2011): Erfoud – Tendrara

-Stage 6 (10/09/2011): Tendrara – Nador