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Thanks to this sponsorship, Repsol can put its products to the ultimate test in the most demanding competitions, thereby improving the reliability and flexibility of its lubricants to guarantee optimum performance.
Repsol presented the Repsol Rally Team that will compete in the Dakar 2018. Its driver, Isidre Esteve, is facing a new challenge: to compete on a level footing with the official cars and bag a top-20 spot in the upcoming Dakar Rally.
The lubricants used in this competition must be specially developed for extreme conditions to avoid breakdowns and increased wear due to a lack of protection between metal parts, and Repsol’s products certainly fit the bill. The Dakar 2018 route covers 9000 km (5600 miles) and passes through a variety of different terrains, from inhospitable desert dunes to altitudes of around 4000 metres (13 000 ft) above sea level.
Repsol and Isidre Esteve both share the same values of hard work, dedication, perseverance, teamwork, enthusiasm, and innovation. This partnership will allow Repsol to put its lubricants to the test in the tough Dakar conditions and apply what it learns to the design of its products to guarantee optimum vehicle performance, even in the most extreme conditions.
To take on this challenge, the Repsol Rally Team will be driving a powerful BV6 prototype that has adapted controls on the steering wheel. Isidre Esteve assures that “My disability doesn’t keep me from being competitive at all”, as he proved in the Baja Aragón and Morocco rallies, and after having racked up almost 4000 kilometres (2500 miles) throughout the year between races and practices.
The positive experience he had during Dakar 2017 also plays in his favour, as he was able to test the operation of the Smart Cushion under extreme conditions. This device allows him to remain seated for many hours without causing injury. “”Last year, we were able to verify the effectiveness of the cushion and the fact that my disability doesn’t represent a problem in really competing. Everything worked and that’s why we can now forget about my health and focus only on being competitive”, said Isidre, who will once again share the car with his co-driver, Txema Villalobos.