The biggest rally raid in Americas, Sertões is hosted since 1993. The race is opened to cars, motorbikes, SSVs and quads and is tackled on brazilian countryside. Each edition follows a different route on this continental country, exploring its different scenarios.

It all started on two wheels. Races like the Paris Dakar were famous, but a distant reality to Brazil when 34 riders lined in Campos do Jordão (near São Paulo) to start Sertões first edition. Natal, on the Northeast region was the final destination, crossing Minas Gerais, Bahia and Pernambuco states. Romantic times in which technology was limited, but resilience was plentiful. That sowed the seed for a legend that covers more than three decades.

And it wasn’t long until the first foreign riders joined the fray, including Dakar winners, as italian Edi Orioli. They went home with a nice impression of what they lived. In 1995, cars were first allowed (as an experience), to become officially part of Sertões the year later. Trucks were accepted in 1998 and, in 2012, SSV / UTV vehicles started their story on the rally.

Sertões became part of the FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup and FIM Cross-Country Rally World Championship. That brought to the race names as Stephane Peterhansel, Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Cyril Despres and Marc Coma, to name some. Brazilian drivers and riders discovered that they could rival, or even beat them. The event became more professional and grew its numbers. Actually, its possible to follow parts of the stages live with a dedicate TV coverage. Sertões is now one of the most respected and traditional rally raid races in the world.

The “crazy” 30th edition

To celebrate its 30 years, Sertões created an outstanding edition in 2022. The goal was to unite country’s geographical extremes and cross its five regions and biomes. It was the biggest route ever (7.200 km/ 4.480 mi), with 15 days of grueling race, passing through eight states and stopping in 14 cities. And it make Sertões worlds biggest rally in timed stages that year.

The race started in Foz do Iguaçu, near the famed Cataratas and in the border with Argentina and Paraguay. The Super Prime was staged exactly where the three countries meet.

Umuarama, in Paraná state, was the destination on round 1. The second one took the caravan to Presidente Prudente (São Paulo state), where a massive 20.000 people gathered to receive competitors. On the third day, the third different region (Centro-Oeste), reaching Campo Grande (Mato Grosso do Sul).

Such a long route inspired Sertões organization to create two extra competitions: Sertões Sul (South) and Norte (North), to those who could only make half ot the total distance. And there were two Marathon stages, in which external assistance is forbidden. Ilha do Bananal, world’s biggest fluvial island, was one of the attractions, as well as Jalapão’s ocean of sand. Other treasure revealed were Cânions do Viana (Viana’s Canyons), a massive rock formation hidden beneath Piaui state.

And there was more to come. States of Maranhão and Pará were the last on the way to the end, in Salinópolis beach. A fitting scenery to confirm the champions, and also praise all competitors that overcame the challenge.