The Argentine expert will join nine-time world rally champion Sebastien Loeb and two-time Dakar winner Nani Roma at the wheel of the BRX Hunter T1 +.
Last weekend, organizers revealed next year’s Dakar route, which will see competitors cover a distance of 8,375 kilometers, including 12 timed stages.
Terranova brings great experience to the team, having made his debut at the Dakar in 2005 on a motorcycle and having participated in all the events in the car category from 2009 onwards. His best results are the fifth places obtained consecutively in 2013 and 2014.
Terranova competed with BRX alongside Loeb and Roma also at the Baja Aragon in July, also being the fastest in two of the 11 timed sections disputed (the Frenchman did it seven times).
“I spoke to Nani and Seb and they told me how good the new T1 + is and that despite its larger size and additional weight, it is just as easy to drive and much more agile in rocky sections,” Terranova said.
“I can’t wait to see the team again and start preparations for my 17th Dakar”.
# 305 Bahrain Raid Xtreme: Sebastien Loeb, Daniel Elena
Photo by: Bahrain Raid Xtreme team
All three will be joined by their current co-drivers: Fabian Lurquin will be next to Loeb, Alex Haro will share the cockpit with Roma, while with Terranova there will be Dani Oliveras.
Both Loeb and Roma have already had the opportunity to test the new car. Terranova will join them in Dubai at the beginning of December to complete a few days of testing.
The team had to halt a test in Dubai last month after a fire. Which also forced him to give up participating in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. A Prodrive spokesperson also confirmed to Motorsport.com that a mechanic suffered severe burns in the fire and is currently still in hospital in Dubai.
The Dakar should be just the beginning of a busy season for Loeb, with the Frenchman who could start the Monte Carlo Rally soon after with the M-Sport.
The 9-time world champion has already completed two tests at the wheel of the Puma Rally1, but if he were to start this new adventure he will do it without co-driver Daniel Elena, who has announced his retirement from rallies.
“I’m moving on,” Elena said on social media. “I want to focus on other things, I’m turning 50 next year, I have my own shop and I can’t really focus on two things at once, (my wife) Anais will be the first to tell you! So, this is why we are doing this special announcement “.
#Dakar #Prodrive #Terranova