Santana Racing Team
Where the road ends, Santana begins
Santana motors takes a step further
Our off-road spirit, born in Spain, now faces the most demanding environments on the planet
The meaning of racing
Off-road driving doesn’t exist without competition
Only there do engineering and character face reality. We don’t seek fame — we seek limits. Because the future belongs to those who dare to put everything to the test
Synergy of experience and courage
Santana Racing Team unites rally-raid veterans with proven championship credentials. Different backgrounds. One mission: to test limits and validate reliability where it matters most.
Edu Blanco
CEO & 17-time Dakar veteran
CEO of Santana Motors and a legend of the Dakar Rally with 17 participations as pilot, navigator, and team manager.
His experience spans decades of desert racing, bringing unmatched strategic insight and technical knowledge to every stage.
For Edu, Dakar is not just competition — it is the ultimate validation ground for engineering decisions.
Jesús Calleja
Adventurer & experienced pilot
Renowned adventurer and experienced pilot for whom Dakar 2026 marks his sixth challenge in the world's toughest rally.
Jesús brings a unique perspective — combining exploration expertise with competitive racing, proving that Santana vehicles perform where boundaries don't exist.
Mónica Plaza
Pilot
Over 4 Dakar participations. In 2023, she became the first female Spanish champion in the T1N category.
Her approach combines technical precision with fearless determination.
Marta Plaza
Navigator
Successfully completed her debut Dakar in 2024 with the best result in the family's history.
Her navigation skills and strategic thinking make the crew complete.
Together, they hold the Gold Medal for Sports Merit (2024) and represent a level of professionalism that goes beyond gender — it's about competence, coordination, and consistent performance under extreme pressure.
Nacho Santamaría
Technical Director
Off-road competition specialist with extensive experience in technical development and optimization in extreme environments. Leads vehicle performance and race strategy.
Valentín Rouss
Team Manager
Responsible for the team’s overall strategy and brand positioning within the competitive environment. Coordinates operations, partners, and the competitive structure with a growth-oriented vision.
Antonio Molina
Institutional & Strategic Lead
Drives the team’s institutional development and strategic partnerships, connecting industry, partners, and the racing project. Brings business vision and technical expertise to ensure solid and sustainable growth.
BUILT FOR REAL TESTS
Vehicles on a mission
We don't just race prototypes.
We test the same vehicles available to our customers — because real validation happens in real conditions.
Santana Pickup T1+
Much more than a prototype.
It's the result of decades of experience in utility and 4x4 vehicles taken to the extreme of competition. Designed to endure the desert, break barriers, and write the next page of our story.
Technical foundation:
Based on the proven Century CR7 platform (Ultimate category), equipped with a V6 biturbo 2.9L engine delivering 430 hp and 660 Nm of torque.
Carbon fiber body, advanced AI-enhanced navigation systems, and engineering solutions that will define future Santana production models.
It's the result of decades of experience in utility and 4x4 vehicles taken to the extreme of competition. Designed to endure the desert, break barriers, and write the next page of our story.
Technical foundation:
Based on the proven Century CR7 platform (Ultimate category), equipped with a V6 biturbo 2.9L engine delivering 430 hp and 660 Nm of torque.
Carbon fiber body, advanced AI-enhanced navigation systems, and engineering solutions that will define future Santana production models.
These are not show vehicles.
They are our assistance crew's workhorses — the same models available to customers, proving their reliability stage after stage.
SANTANA 400 D
Diesel power configured for logistics and assistance operations.
Running alongside the racing crew in Dakar heat and sand, this vehicle validates durability claims in real-world extreme conditions — not in controlled laboratory tests.
Every kilometer covered is proof of engineering integrity.
SANTANA 400 PHEV S
Hybrid technology tested beyond the laboratory.
Balancing efficiency, autonomy, and durability under conditions most manufacturers would never subject their production vehicles to.
This is how we verify that our hybrid systems work when it matters — not just when it's convenient.
Santana Motors: A Step Forward
Our off-road spirit, born in Spain, now faces the most demanding environments on the planet
Synergy of experience and courage
Santana Racing Team unites rally-raid veterans with proven championship credentials. Different backgrounds. One mission: to test limits and validate reliability where it matters most.
Edu Blanco
CEO & 17-time Dakar veteran
CEO of Santana Motors and a legend of the Dakar Rally with 17 participations as pilot, navigator, and team manager. His experience spans decades of desert racing, bringing unmatched strategic insight and technical knowledge to every stage. For Edu, Dakar is not just competition — it is the ultimate validation ground for engineering decisions.
Jesús Calleja
Adventurer & experienced pilot
Renowned adventurer and experienced pilot for whom Dakar 2026 marks his sixth challenge in the world's toughest rally. Jesús brings a unique perspective — combining exploration expertise with competitive racing, proving that Santana vehicles perform where boundaries don't exist.
Mónica Plaza
Pilot
Over 4 Dakar participations. In 2023, she became the first female Spanish champion in the T1N category. Her approach combines technical precision with fearless determination.
Marta Plaza
Navigator
Successfully completed her debut Dakar in 2024 with the best result in the family's history. Her navigation skills and strategic thinking make the crew complete. Together, they hold the Gold Medal for Sports Merit (2024) and represent a level of professionalism that goes beyond gender — it's about competence, coordination, and consistent performance under extreme pressure.
Nacho Santamaría
Technical Director
Off-road competition specialist with extensive experience in technical development and optimization in extreme environments. Leads vehicle performance and race strategy.
Valentín Rouss
Team Manager
Responsible for the team’s overall strategy and brand positioning within the competitive environment. Coordinates operations, partners, and the competitive structure with a growth-oriented vision.
Antonio Molina
Institutional & Strategic Lead
Drives the team’s institutional development and strategic partnerships, connecting industry, partners, and the racing project. Brings business vision and technical expertise to ensure solid and sustainable growth.