Patricia Pita Gago competes in the up-coming Dakar Rally in T1.2 category with Astara Team. Having made debut entry in Dakar 2023 in Lightweight Prototype category – T3 – the opportunity to race Astara’s CR6 car, run entirely on hydrocarbon fuel, is an opportunity of a life-time for the Uruguayan driver.
Most certainly, Patricia has wealth of experience racing Rally Championships from 2012 to present day, along with Chilean co-driver Paolo Boggioni. With the pair sharing a deep passion for Rally, extending their goals to race behind the wheel of the only 100% carbon neutral vehicle in the event, adds further momentum to complete all 12 Stages across the varied terrain of Saudi Arabia.
Equally so, Astara Team have ramped up the evolution of the synthetic fueled car over the course of 3 years, competing in The Dakar Rally from 2021 to current year. Heading into Dakar 2024, the new model, sporting improvements of: 100% synthetic fuel formulation compared to 70% in 2023, lighter weight of vehicle at 1,580kgs without fuel, and improved suspension producing improved performance power, Astara and Team represent true essence of advancing sustainability in Motorsport.
In fact, Astara’s 02 Concept model car holds the ultimate potential to tip the balance from manufacturer’s banking on carbon based fuel/electric/hybrid vehicles, to utilizing the advantageous elements of the hydrocarbon powered car. Statistical data presented by the Team state:
‘Synthetic fuel is completely carbon neutral: its environmental impact is zero. The CO 2 that is emitted into the atmosphere during its combustion is the same that has been extracted from the air during the production process.
Synthetic fuel is capable of storing an enormous amount of energy in a very small size and weight : one liter of synthetic fuel contains 10,752 kWh. Just 9.3 liters of this fuel store the same amount of energy as a 100 kWh battery, which is 55 times heavier. The energy efficiency of synthetic fuel is 12% higher than that of gasoline’.
Undoubtedly, the challenge for Patricia, Paola, and team-driver Laia Sanz and co-driver Maurizo Gerini will appear from Prologue through to completing each of the 12 Stages, including the 48H CHRONO Stage where no assistance is allowed. Up for grabs will be accountability on delivering best possible performance behind the wheel – coupled with nailing navigation skills – which Patricia has all capabilities to achieve. Big ask, big challenge, big race!
Dakar Rally 2024 January 5 – 19.
Header photo: Patricia Pita Gago with Astara Team. Image: Astara.
Words: Sharon Cox.
Comments are closed.