Sertões 2027
1992
Moving forward since
33
Years of experience
4,000 km
Nearly 2,500 miles
1,500+
People on the road
Introduction
Test yourself against the best in a multi-terrain challenge through the breathtaking landscapes of northern Brazil.
From dust to sand, from desert to beaches, this is an unforgettable adventure from start to finish.
We offer first-class facilities and 33 years of experience in a country like no other.
Routes
Each year, the Sertões route offers a deep dive into Brazil's countryside. In a single day, competitors can encounter different altitudes and two or even three types of terrain, all while traveling through some of Brazil's most iconic natural landscapes.
The variety of landscapes demands perfect navigation, adding another layer of challenge for competitors while creating outstanding opportunities to capture iconic videos and photos, content that is always attractive to sponsors and the media.
Structure
Sertões brings together a community of more than 1,500 people for an event covering nearly 2,500 miles (4,000 km) across the Brazilian countryside.
The bivouacs, known as “Vila Sertões,” offer a unique opportunity for competitors to connect with local communities, allowing residents to experience the rally up close. The mobile infrastructure provided by the organizers at each Vila includes internet access, security, a mobile hospital, waste management and proper recycling facilities.
The rally also features a Marathon stage, during which competitors are responsible for maintaining their own vehicles. Sertões complies with the applicable FIA and FIM requirements for the World Rally-Raid Championship and maintains close dialogue and cooperation with the sport's global governing bodies.
Since the 2025 edition, all competitors have raced with TRUX, a new, locally developed monitoring and safety system produced by Totem. It integrates the latest overtaking and tracking system functions and updates into a single device. Brazilian drivers and co-drivers, as well as international participants using the system for the first time, have praised its improved functionality and ease of use.
Safety and medical support
Sertões has a professional safety and medical support structure. Two airplanes monitor the race and provide the Safety Director with essential information to coordinate responses to incidents, including the rescue of injured competitors and assistance with vehicle breakdowns.
2
Airplanes monitoring the race
2
Helicopters for medical evacuations
10 min
Target response time to reach an incident site
2
Mobile intensive care units on the ground
110
Technical and medical professionals along the stages
2
Emergency surgeries at once in the mobile hospital at each Vila
A network of local referral hospitals also remains on standby and can be reached by air when necessary.
Classes
Competitors are divided into three main categories according to their vehicle.
All FIA groups (T1+ to T4) plus the “classic” cars (built no later than 2007 or based on a model launched until that year).
Starting in 2026, Stock and Classic entrants are grouped in the Production division, with a shorter timed route to match the vehicles' preparation level. Results and classification include both the overall and specific classes.
FIM-compliant categories, including Big Trails, plus the Self-Supported category (Malle Moto), in which competitors race without external assistance.
In the bike category, Honda and Yamaha compete head-to-head with their factory teams.
Usually the category with the largest field, with competition conducted under the rules and supervision of the Brazilian Motorcycle Confederation (CBM).
Sertões often features as many as ten vehicles within the same minute, even on stages covering around 200 miles (320 km). The winner of the day is often decided by mere fractions of a second.
Sertões offers a wide range of entry-fee options and cost structures. Get in touch to find out which option best suits you and your team. We will be delighted to help you find the right solution.
The big names of Sertões
The biggest names in Sertões have used the experience gained in the race as a springboard to international recognition in rally raid.
4× Sertões champion
A member of the Dacia Sandriders team, he has won Sertões four times, most recently in 2026. His achievements also include becoming World Rally-Raid Champion in 2025 and securing a podium finish at the Dakar Rally on his first attempt at the event in Saudi Arabia.
5× Sertões car champion
A Dakar frontrunner, he competes with Mitsubishi Spinelli Racing in the Mitsubishi Triton Ultimate Racing, the only Ultimate (T1+) vehicle fully designed and built in Brazil.
From two wheels to four
With an impressive international career in motorcycle racing, he switched to SSVs three years ago. He is now a contender on four wheels as well, competing with his own team, T+A Rally.
Media results · 2026 edition
US$ 45,034,930.05
in media value as of October, from more than 3,800 articles in national and international media outlets, thanks to the work of the Sertões Communications Team.
6 h
TV coverage
11.2 min
Radio coverage
4,295 cm
Printed news
3,746
Web posts, equivalent to 1,580,736 cm
Iconic Sertões champions
Joaquim "Juca Bala" Gouveia
1993, 1996
Jean Azevedo
1995, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2015, 2017
Klever Kolberg / André Azevedo
1997, 1998
Heinz Kinigadner (AUT)
1998
José Hélio Rodrigues
1999, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2025
"Guiga" Spinelli
2003, 2004, 2010, 2011, 2014
Carlo Collet
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2013
Cyril Despres (FRA)
2006, 2011
Giniel de Villiers (AFS) / Dirk von Zitzewitz (ALE)
2008
Carlos Sainz / Lucas Cruz (ESP)
2009
Marc Coma (ESP)
2010, 2014
Rafal Sonik (POL)
2010
Stephane Peterhansel / Jean-Paul Cottret (FRA)
2012, 2013
Marcelo Medeiros
2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2025
Paulo Gonçalves (POR)
2013
Cristian Baumgart / Beco Andreotti
2016, 2017, 2018, 2021
Marcos Baumgart / Kleber Cincea
2020, 2025
Adrien Metge (FRA)
2021, 2024
Manuel Andujar (ARG)
2021
Lucas Moraes / Kaíque Bentivoglio
2019, 2022, 2024, 2026
Mason Klein (EUA)
2023
Marcelo Gastaldi / Cadu Sachs
2023
Tosha Schareina (ESP)
2025
Bruno Crivilin
2026
Deni Nascimento / Gunnar Dums
2019, 2023, 2024, 2026 / 2023, 2024, 2026
Other rally raid stars that were also part of the race: Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sam Sunderland, Edi Orioli, Jordi Arcarons, Carlo de Gavardo, Ruben Faria, Francisco “Chaleco” Lopez, Jordi Viladoms, Mark Miller, Martim Ventura, Romain Dumontier.
Social and environmental dimensions
Alongside the competition we all love and cherish, there are two other essential dimensions: social impact and tourism.
The social dimension is the one we are most proud of. Every year, a team of more than 150 volunteer healthcare professionals, supported by four medical trucks, provides free medical care to local communities, with a special focus on children.
Environmental responsibility is also a key part of our mission. Our goal is to leave the roads used for competition exactly as we found them before the rally. We also invest in environmental education to help local farmers and workers take better care of their land.
Sertões Expeditions
Sertões also takes off-road enthusiasts on journeys across Brazil. The Sertões Expeditions brand offers tourists the same excitement and sense of adventure enjoyed by competitors, but in a more relaxed and less demanding environment.
Groups of tourists can follow the race by car or motorcycle, accompanied by guides and tourism specialists who help ensure a safe and unforgettable experience. Along the way, participants also have the opportunity to discover some of Brazil's most remarkable natural and cultural treasures.
Sponsors
Contact
For information on technical issues, rules, travel or connections with team owners and drivers/co-drivers, please get in touch.
We sincerely thank you for your time and interest and look forward to hearing from you. If there is anything we can do to help you learn more about Sertões, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our team will be happy to assist you in every possible way and help ensure you have the best possible experience racing across Brazil's countryside.
Your contact
Sertões 2027 · August 29th to September 5th
