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Villas-Boas is ready to vroom again!

Putting rest to all speculations, Villas-Boas has committed to motorsports at least for now.

Andre Villas-Boas

Bengaluru, March 12: Andre Villas-Boas, who swapped his football kit for racing overalls will continue to explore off-road motorsport after inking a deal with South Racing to tackle select rounds of his native Portuguese National Championship of Cross-Country Rallie and Morocco's Merzouga Rally in April.

The Potuguese, who has managed top-notched football clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, FC Porto, Shanghai SIPG and Zenit St Petersburg surprised last year many by switching from the football dug outs to the wheels of a Toyota Hilux to compete in the most gruelling off-road races of all times --- the Dakar Rally.

Though Villas-Boas was a keen motor sport enthusiast since his youth, his Dakar debut was a disaster and ended in the fourth stage after a crash following which he was hospitalised with a back injury sustained in the dunes.

Dakar adventure

Dakar adventure

But putting rest to all speculations, Villas-Boas has committed to motorsports at least for now.

"I'm very pleased to be able to be behind the wheel again after the Dakar adventure and I'm looking forward to working with South Racing and its Managing Director Scott Abraham. His team has been extremely supportive in putting the project together. It's a chance to work with one of the best off-road racing teams in the world and to continue to enjoy this great passion of mine," said Villas-Boas.

New co-driver

New co-driver

Villas-Boas will have a new co-driver in Gonçalo Magalhaes.

Ruben Faria - with whom he took part in the Dakar Rally - will also be racing a South Racing Can-Am this season and will team up with navigator Pedro Velosa in the CNTT and Merzouga Rally.

Can-Am Maverick X3

Can-Am Maverick X3

The 40-year-old will drive a Can-Am Maverick X3, the same model of all-terrain vehicle that won the new SxS category at this year's Dakar Rally in the hands of South Racing's Reinaldo Varela.

The Can-Am will carry APPACDM do Porto branding, as the project is also raising awareness for specific charities as a way of giving something back to society through motorsport.

Market driven

Market driven

"I hope I can contribute in the best way to South Racing and Can-Am's expansion in the market.

At the same time, continue to raise awareness for my charities, particularly APPACDM do Porto, which continues to dignify the lives of the disabled citizen," added Villas-Boas.

First outing

First outing

The first outing for Villas-Boas will be at the opening round of the CNTT, Baja do Pinhal, on March 16-17. This event is being organized by Escuderia de Castelo Branco and runs across the hills and through the valleys of the Oleiros, Serta and Proença-a-Nova areas.

The Merzouga Rally in Morocco will take place from April 15 to 20 and is a round of the prestigious Dakar Series. It will be fought out over five demanding desert selective sections and will provide vital experience for Villas-Boas and the entire South Racing Can-Am team.

Story first published: Monday, March 12, 2018, 13:19 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 12, 2018