The Dakar Rally is known for being a grueling off-road race that only the fearless and skilled attempt. The 2020 race is taking place in our neighboring Saudi Arabia for the first time. The first race was held in 1978 and drivers had to drive from Paris to the Senegalese city of Dakar, hence the name. The race is all about endurance, and participants need to traverse terrains that are tough on their cars and psyches. Contestants are going to have to brave dunes, mud, grass, rocks and anything the race throws at them.
Not any off-road vehicle will do for Dakar, which is why only the strongest enter. On October 10th, German car brand Borgward made their official announcement that it has signed a contract with Joan Roma Cararach, the champion racing driver to lead their 2020 Saudi Arabia Dakar Rally team. Borgward is not a first-timer at the race, and participated in the top international car racing event in the 2018 Argentina Dakar and 2019 Chili Dakar.
In 2018, Borgward fleet went to Dakar Rally for the first time, with the great adaptability and superb competitiveness showcased by its two race cars and drivers, it achieved excellent result. The Borgward team has already started its preparation for official rally and is estimated to arrive at Saudi Arabia by December after completing a series of test events. Besides rally cars, Borgward will also send 3 un- retrofitted BX7 TS as convoy during the rally. The team took a quick pit stop in Kuwait to meet their fans and to tell them more about how they were prepping for the race.
Borgward is not new to racing. Their performance was legendary during the period from 1950 to 1958, earning top positions in 24 Heures du Mans, Nurburgring 1000KM, Carrera Panamericana, Montlhéry Race and other top international car races, breaking world records 51 times.
Joan Nani Roma Cararach, who is known as Nani Roma, was the champion of Motorbike Group in the 2004 Dakar, and had also won 6th place and 3rd place in the car category in 2005 and 2006 respectively. Later in 2014, Cararach became the winner of the Car Group, becoming the third contestant to win in both the Dakar Motorbike Group and Car Group.
“As a car brand boasting legendary history, Borgward has broken many records of international car races. It is a great honor for me to be part of Borgward fleet for Dakar 2020 and I hope I can make new achievements in the Dakar rally,” Roma told journalists at the press conference after announcing the new partnership.
Borgward was founded in Bremen, Germany in 1919 by the legendary engineer Karl Borgward. In 2014 the brand entered the Chinese market and started a new era in its rich history. The BX7, BX5, BXi7 and other SUV models were launched in succession, they quickly became fan favorites and instantly recognizable on the road.
In addition to being licensed Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle producers they also manufacture Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV), giving them an edge over an entire market and can cater to different needs.
To increase production capabilities, Borgward built a complete vehicle plant and an engine plant of German Industry 4.0 standard in Beijing. The new plant makes use of the latest in intelligent and responsive manufacturing technologies while being capable of large-scale vehicle production.
This has been timely, as Borgward has been steadily expanding the international market, with its products launched in the Middle East and Southeast
Asian markets. The SUV models are designed to withstand the hotter climates while also providing luxury interiors that are highly appreciated in the region.
The Borgward showroom is located in Al Rai on the 4th Ring Road, for more information follow them on Instagram @borgward_kw or visit the website. Featured image courtesy of Borgward.
