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Coronel Brothers Take on Dakar Rally

After months of preparation, brothers Tim and Tom Coronel are racing their Maxxis vehicle, the Beast 2.0, through the deserts of southern Peru in the Dakar Rally.

The two-week, 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) rally began January 7. Thousands of fans greeted the Coronels and their fellow racers as they gathered in Lima this weekend for the kick-off. “What an atmosphere; what a crowd. Unbelievable,” Tom said with an ear-to-ear grin. “If we wouldn’t have been looking forward to it already, we certainly are now!”

Along with 330 other vehicles, the Beast is now powering through an 84-kilometer first stage which features, among other challenges, immense sand dunes. In comments before the race, Tim said that both brothers were ready and eager to get started. “Everything is ready, and things are looking good. Scrutineering went really well. We are ready; everything is under control. Now it is for real. This is what we have been looking forward to for months.”

The Dakar Rally continues January 8, when drivers cover a route from Pisco to San Juan de Marcona for Stage 2. Be sure to join the thousands of fans following the Coronels’ progress in the rally on their YouTube channel.