‘Pink elephant’ in the fight against cancer: Spanish crew leads Dakar on classic track

Among the many vehicles dakarit is impossible not to notice him. he “Pink Elephant” They call him we refer to Mercedes 1844 AK. dakar classic Spanish crew led by Rafael Resmes in the Canary Islands (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, April 10, 1959). This adventurer with a passion for motors took part in the legendary rally. pharaoh or camel trophy In 2004, I realized my lifelong dream of driving to the start line of the Dakar. “In the sand dunes of Ouarzazate, we suffered a mechanical failure and the engine stopped. “It’s not starting yet.” Remember MD. He was able to return to complete this mission in 2007 and is touched when he recalls the moment he arrived at Pink Lake. And now, at 65, he remains passionate about the Dakar, but this time he is motivated by a different purpose.

Sixteen years later, in 2023, he returned to the career he loved, taking on the social responsibility of spreading the message of need with the Canary Islands Foundation. “Walk through life” It’s about helping people suffering from breast cancer. Through his pink truck, Spanish Male Breast Cancer Association (INVI Association) already “Let’s think about pink Europe” It is an association of more than 100 foundations from 27 European countries. All of this is to express the importance of breast cancer prevention and early detection in women and men.

“Many people don’t know that breast cancer prevention is also important for men, because by the time they are diagnosed with breast cancer, they are usually already in an advanced and at-risk state. That’s why it’s pink.”. That’s why we’re raising money to help diagnosed women in the Canary Islands receive psychological care after being informed of their illness.

Tabitha and her father’s dream

Raphael is back challenger dakar (light prototype), for which there is already a pink car and in 2024 he has chosen to debut dakar classicthis time it’s a truck. “In my 40 years of experience, I had never competed on the track.”emphasized MD. But it went unnoticed. It won the Classic Truck category and finished 9th overall in the Classic category among vehicles in this category.

The most incredible thing is that a few months before the Dakar, Rafael was left without a co-pilot. I had to improvise. “I had a month left, so I started looking for a new co-pilot.” At that time, in the Spanish structure TH-Tracks told him about a talented young girl, Tabitha Lomon.. What he didn’t know is that it is part of the foundation for success in the class, which is even more important for first officers, as they must simultaneously control devices and measurements of regularity and navigation. That means there is.

“I didn’t expect it. Just before the Dakar in 2024, Raphael he contacted me. The 29-year-old from Madrid said he had intended to go to Dakar. A few months later, Tabitha would win her debut match. “It was surreal.”he shouted.

his father, Gregorio RomonShe is a mechanic and has a passion for motors, which led her to this world. He wanted to participate in an amateur event, so Tabitha decided to accompany him just to be with him. And they wanted to participate regularly in the Spanish Championship. And in 2022, father and daughter were runners-up in Spain. my father’s dream is always dakar And he was able to accomplish it. Now, he thought and sighed, wondering what it would be like to share this adventure in the same cabin. gregory.

First, it’s his turn to continue coaching Rafael and the team mechanics. Albert Casabonahe had already worked with Resmes as a mechanic on a Mitsubishi Montero at the Pharaoh Rally. The Spanish team finished the first week with the top overall result, aiming for their second consecutive Classic victory. And most importantly, they are spreading the message. “Pink Elephant” is doing well.