Chile - The Ford Ranger V8s built in South Africa by Neil Woolridge Motorsport has been taken over by DMAS South Racing and former WRC driver Xavier ‘Xevi’ Pons and Chilean Daniel Valdes Mas will campaign them in the 2016 Dakar race.
South Racing ran a Ford Ranger in the 2015 Dakar Rally for the Argentine rally driver Federico Villagra, but the team and its strategic partner, Chilean-based DMAS Competicion, have developed the car during the course of the year with suspension revisions, new engine mapping and chassis improvements.
'Dakar Rally a great challenge'
Villagra who has driven for the Citroen, Mitsubishi and Subaru teams at the top level of rallying, will have Argentinian Riccardo Torlaschi as co-driver. Mas will be partnered by fellow countryman Juan Pablo Latrach.
Pons said: “The Dakar Rally is a great challenge. I began my career on two wheels competing in several enduro series, so I have a lot of good friends and former rivals competing in cross-country rallying.
“I heard many stories about the Dakar and for me it is incredible to get this great opportunity with an experienced team driving the Ford Ranger.”