After posting his question to a Carrera Panamerica blog, Gary Faules asked Tatra World the same question:
Tatra In La Carrera Panamericana???
While attending a car show in Mexico my good friend Jorge from Queretero came upon this beast. It is a Czechoslovakian built Tatra which supposedly took part in the 1989 La Carrera Panamericana. Jorge is attempting to find out more about the car and it’s involvment in LCP but should anyone else know anything about it please drop me a note.
KS: Personally, I have never heard about a Tatra competing in the famous Mexican rally. Yet, a Tatraplan was raced in Mexico in the early fifties. French driver Jean Trévoux won a 80 km race at Chapultepec near Mexico in 1951, June 10th. The car was a Tatraplan and he finished the race in 42m 41s 2/5, 112.341 km/h. Sadly to say for Tatra enthusiasts, Jean Trévoux, a well known rally driver and Rally Monte Carlo winner in the late thirties, http://forums.autosport.com/lofiversion/index.php/t90544.html, competed in all Carrera Panamercanas but never with a Tatraplan.
http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com/2010/05/tatra-in-la-carrera-panamericana.html
Who can help Gary Faules with his question. A c.c. to Tatra World will be mostly appreciated.
After two editions in South America, the organisers of the Dakar are pleased to announce that the world’s leading rally-raid will take place there again in 2011.
The excellent relations built up with the two countries, the vital assets in sporting terms, as well as the swell of enthusiasm seen amongst spectators last January, have led the Dakar team to propose a third instalment in Argentina and Chile for the 2011 edition, which will take place from 1st to 16th January.
For Enrique Meyer, the Argentine Secretary of State for Tourism, “being able to count on the Dakar again is a dream come true for Argentina. For the last two years, in addition to the sporting aspect, we have displayed to the whole wide world (more than 190 countries) our landscapes and people. We are very proud to welcome the Dakar again and have worked very hard to be able to do so”. More……
Seeking revenge, Ales Loprais has announced to take part in the 2010 Dakar. See: http://loprais.com/loprais-eng/
As soon as Ales Loprais and other team members got home, their minds were occupied by new things to come, new plans and a continuous development.
„As soon as all vehicles arrive in Europe we will focus on new technical data we learned and especially we will continue the construction of a new race special. The truck will be a breakthrough in the history of Dakar participations for Tatra in general. It will be the first Dakar version of Tatra with a hood cab. Our endeavours aim at proper testing and finishing everything on time to be ready for another round of the Dakar Series – Silk Way Rally 2010. We would like to make use of our successful performance in 2009 there,“ Ales Loprais said.
„There is no secret that our team has announced a design contest for fans to create the best design for our new truck. So far we have registered about a hundred answers although the deadline has been gone for a long time. We are still getting many questions, people want to know how the truck will look and components we will use. We can assure our fans we definitely stick to the Tatra chassis concept, so successful in the past. However, the technical development flies fast. The truck we used in 2007 for the bronze placement was some 1000 kgs heavier and 250 HP weaker than the one we are using now. Our competitors from Russia have already developed a monstrous truck with an enourmous output. We don’t want to stay behind. I am looking forward to the real confrontation at the next race event,“ Ales adds.
The debate on the next venue of the legendary Dakar is not closed yet. „We liked the terrains in South America. The variety of surfaces was a gruelling test for both man and machine. In addition, there are open-hearted people and fans in Argentina and we have only fond memories for them. I would be sorry to leave them. However, a great race is always marked by tough competition. Our steps will always follow the Dakar rally, wherever it sets its next roots. In Tunisia and Libya, great sand stages can be expected and Tatra was traditionally successful on them. But what matters to me the most is the safety of all participants. The future of the rally is based on it,“ Ales concludes.
Loprais Tatra Team
As soon as Ales Loprais and other team members got home, their minds were occupied by new things to come, new plans and a continuous development. „As soon as all vehicles arrive in Europe we will focus on new technical data we learned and especially we will continue the construction of a new race special. The truck will be a breakthrough in the history of Dakar participations for Tatra in general. It will be the first Dakar version of Tatra with a hood cab. Our endeavours aim at proper testing and finishing everything on time to be ready for another round of the Dakar Series – Silk Way Rally 2010. We would like to make use of our successful performance in 2009 there,“ Ales Loprais said. „There is no secret that our team has announced a design contest for fans to create the best design for our new truck. So far we have registered about a hundred answers although the deadline has been gone for a long time. We are still getting many questions, people want to know how the truck will look and components we will use. We can assure our fans we definitely stick to the Tatra chassis concept, so successful in the past. However, the technical development flies fast. The truck we used in 2007 for the bronze placement was some 1000 kgs heavier and 250 HP weaker than the one we are using now. Our competitors from Russia have already developed a monstrous truck with an enourmous output. We don’t want to stay behind. I am looking forward to the real confrontation at the next race event,“ Ales adds. The debate on the next venue of the legendary Dakar is not closed yet. „We liked the terrains in South America. The variety of surfaces was a gruelling test for both man and machine. In addition, there are open-hearted people and fans in Argentina and we have only fond memories for them. I would be sorry to leave them. However, a great race is always marked by tough competition. Our steps will always follow the Dakar rally, wherever it sets its next roots. In Tunisia and Libya, great sand stages can be expected and Tatra was traditionally successful on them. But what matters to me the most is the safety of all participants. The future of the rally is based on it,“ Ales concludes. Loprais Tatra Team
