The 2009 Dakar Rally has braced a continental shift to South America with a view to enter the new cross-country rallying season after threats of terrorism forced its departure from its traditional home in Africa. By crossing the ocean, this year's race promised to be the most spectacular yet where the most enduring competitors will loop the cars on the Argentinean and Chilean terrains with the opportunity battling through 14 stages to distinguish themselves from diverse horizons for nearly 30 years.
After a night of repairs both for the car and its driver, Jose Manuel Salinero, captain of Guardia Civil Rally Raid suffered no problems from the altitude and proved himself as one of the Spanish who has managed to win the solitaire category in Argentina – Chile Dakar 2009 at first place, whilst large numbers of race favorites were on the other hand involved in the struggle for the lead. Meantime, his countryman Eduardo Campoy and Isidro Viñoli achieved 3rd place in the class of 6x6 and 27th in the classification of trucks, being the best achievement on the 10th anniversary for the team in the history.
Originally headquartered in Spain, Ministry of Interior, Guardia Civil Rally Raid was founded by team manager Jose Manuel Salinero who served as a helicopter pilot in National Security force. The team has developed several trucks of assistance with its own facilities in Madrid in various configurations. Other planned activities coming around this year are National Spanish All-terrain Rally Championships; Baja Espana World Championship and Portugal-across-Iberia Rally.
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