Carlos Verza - Original By Motul Story

     

WHY DID YOU ENTER THE DAKAR?

“From what I remember I have always been fascinated by the Dakar, as I child, I was dreaming about it when I started watching Dakar in Africa. In 2009, Dakar arrived in South America and I went to south Argentina as a spectator. From that day I understood it was time for me to take the plunge!”

HOW MUCH IMPACT HAS THE DAKAR HAD ON YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?

“I can easily say that Dakar changed my life! The first thing I have done to reach my goal has been to move 2500km in the south, from Chaco to Neuquen (Argentina) to find a better playground for training. Then it took me 4 months to buy my first quad bike and after that I immediately started to enter some regional races. The year after I felt I was ready for next level and started to enter some national races including the Dakar Desafio Guarani that I won in 2014. Thanks to the victory I got a wild card for entering the 2015 Dakar. I couldn’t believe it, my dream was becoming true! However, I had only few months for gathering the necessary budget therefore the only solution I found at that time has been to sell my car for paying my very first Dakar participation!”

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ENTER THE ORIGINAL BY MOTUL CATEGORY WITH A QUAD BIKE?

“The budget I have for 2018 Dakar is 32,000€. It includes the registration fees, the preparation of the quad bike, the spare parts and my personal expenses. Gathering the budget the first years has been extremely tricky but for this year I’m very proud of being supported by a few sponsors all year long including Nuevo Banco del Chaco y El Arriero Supermercado.”

WHATS THE STORY BEHIND YOUR YELLOW COLOURS?

“I’m a pure wild nature lover and, as you might know,  in Bolivia, Paraguay and North of Argentina we still have a few wild Jaguars. I love them but unfortunately this animal is facing the threat of extinction. I chose these colors to raise awareness about this animal.”

WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY AT DAKAR?

“For my very first Dakar in 2015, I had very limited experience and participated with a 2006 second hand machine. The first stage went well but on the road section going to the bivouac I faced some technical issues. Fortunately, a car towed me until the bivouac and after having talk with several other competitors I managed to find a replacement engine. It took me the entire night to change it but after a long sleepless night I was at the stage start the day after!”

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WHAT ENGINE OIL ARE YOU USING?

Motul 300V 15W60 of course!