The 2016 edition of The Dakar was the official debut for Esponsorama in rally racing. Thanks to Esponsorama’ collaboration with South Racing team, former WRC driver Xevi Pons had his first taste of the hardest rally on the planet, driving a Ford Ranger. Esponsorama brought the driver and the sponsors to the Dakar challenge in South America. Europa, Power Electronics, Fundación Incorpora Deportistas Solidarios, Avintia Grupo, KP Sport, Galfer, JJuan, Faura, King Regal, Las Rozas Ciudad Europea del Deporte 2016 and Palladium Hotel Group were the sponsors of Esponsorama and Xevi Pons in this adventure.
The final result was remarkable for a rookie team and driver, with Pons completing his first Dakar in 29th place overall. It was a great result considering the time lost in the first half of the rally due to mechanical issues. Pons and Esponsorama left their mark at their Dakar debut, with some highlights like the 3rd place in the opening stage and the incredible comeback of the Spanish driver in the second part of the rally.
In 2017 Esponsorama went even further and sponsored five cars, one truck and one motorbike. In car Esponsorama was with Power Electronics and Air Europa supporting Joan ‘Nani’ Roma and the Overdrive Toyota team. Also the driver from Zimbabue, Conrad Rautenbach was part of the sponsorship deal. Power Electronics was also on the Gazoo-Racing Toyota cars with Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giniel De Villiers. Esponsorama continued one more year supporting Xevi Pons and South Racing team, thanks to the sponsorship of Cirsa, Air Europa, Power Electronics, King Regal, Encierro The Exhibition, Faura, Galfer, and J.Juan.
Roma finished the race fourth overall and he was the only one able to fight with Peugeot drivers. De Villiers was fifth and Rautenbach ninth. It was a shame the early withdraws of Xevi Pons and Nasser Al-Attiyah. But they will come back next year even stronger.
In bikes we were supporting Cristian España with Air Europa. The rider from Andorra finished in a great 21st place riding a KTM supported by Pedrega Team. Also Air Europa was present on the truck of Albert Llovera. He drove his Bomber Dakar Project Tatra Jamail to Buenos Aires in 24th place, showing once again that he has no limits.
