P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Brazilian duo’s Dakar hopes survive pirate attack on cargo ship carrying car
Rodrigo Varela, a Brazilian motorsport champion, was set to make his debut in the Dakar rally alongside his navigator Bozzano when their plans were disrupted. The cargo ship carrying their Can-Am UTV was attacked by Houthi pirates in the Red Sea region, forcing the ship to change its route and delaying their arrival by 20 days. This incident prompted the United States government to announce an international coalition to protect cargo ships in the area. Varela’s family managed to find a replacement car in Portugal, though they faced further challenges as the spare parts were also on the attacked ship. Despite these setbacks, Varela and Bozzano performed surprisingly well in the Prologue, finishing in fifth place among the UTVs registered for the race.
