Mahindra Scorpio's Success Story

Mahindra Scorpio Pick Up created history by coming third in the T2 category at the Rally dos Sertoes in Brazil, which is considered to be one of the world's toughest rallies. Ricardo Augusto de Souza Campos drove this Indian Pick Up and delivered an exceptional performance. The T2 category is for cars and pick ups that have not undergone a great deal of modification.

Mahindra & Mahindra is the first Indian company to participate in this incredibly tough event. This achievement have created a path-breaking record where the Scorpio Pick Up competed against its mighty contenders.

Ricardo Augusto de Souza Campos is known as RASC to Brazilians who used to pilot trucks. His all-time favourite is the Mahindra brand of cars and he owns a single cab pick up. Encouraged by the great performance delivered by the Scorpio Pick Up and he decided to participate in the Rally dos Sertoes with his son 'RASC Campos' and his dream machine. The father-son pair did very well considering that only 33 of the 66 cars and pick-ups completed the gruelling event and they not only finished 31st overall but also third in the T2 category.

Mahindra's Brazilian partner, Bramont step in with sponsorship, while Govesa Mahindra, the Mahindra dealer in Brasilia helped with service support in the rally. The Rally dos Sertoes is one of the toughest events in the world, second only to the mighty Dakar rally. The rally typically follows a treacherous route across Brazilian jungles and swampy terrain and this year was no different from the others. T he rally was spread over 11 days and 5045 km long distance. A total of 128 vehicles participated in the rally including 66 cars and seven trucks.

The Scorpio Pick Up was reworked to meet the standard specifications, aside from the required safety and structural modifications demanded by the regulations. Some of the amendments made were an FIA safety roll-cage fitted along with special rally seats. A snorkel air intake, a sump and transmission guard, a plastic windshield, electrical safety gear along with a host of navigation and rally aids, as well as radio and GPS systems were installed in the Pick Up. The chassis was further strengthened at key points as required. The only addition which differed from standard specifications was the fitment of rally shock absorbers which the T2 regulators permitted. A larger 220-litre fuel tank was mounted in the load bed and the Pick Up sported a trendy red and white look echoing the Mahindra corporate colours.The Indian SUV Mahindra Scorpio was racing against the mighty Mitsubishis, Fords and Chevrolets at the Rally dos Sertoes.