In a stunning upset at the Copec RallyMobil 2024 in Osorno, Chile, 22-year-old Gerardo Rosselot secured his first-ever stage victory in the RC2 pro series. This remarkable achievement makes Rosselot the youngest driver to claim victory in this category.
Rosselot, driving for the Rosselot Rally Team, outpaced veteran competitor Jorge Martínez to take the top spot.His teammate, Tadeo Rosselot, also impressed, finishing third in the RC2 category. The RC4 category saw some unexpected twists,with both Mario Parra and Felipe Arenas forced to retire from the race.
“I’m incredibly happy,” saeid Rosselot after his victory. “This is a dream come true. I’ve been working so hard for this moment, and it feels amazing to finally achieve it.”
The eighth and final day of the Copec RallyMobil 2024 continues tomorrow with the second stage, featuring challenging sections in Quemeumo, Comuimo, Cunamo Norte, and Pulayo Alto.
The challenging and winding roads of Osorno, host to the eighth and final round of the 2024 Copec rallymobil, witnessed a surprising shakeup in the championship standings. Young driver Gerardo Rosselot (Rosselot Rally Team) secured his first-ever stage win, edging out 12-time national champion Jorge Martínez (CB Tech by Skoda) in a thrilling Saturday showdown.
The Viña del Mar native triumphed by a mere 3.4 seconds, earning him victory in the RC2 Pro series and etching his name in history as the youngest driver (22 years and 10 months) to win a stage in the championshipS premier category.
“I am vrey happy to win a stage and also to do so by beating Jorge Martínez. We have carried out progressive work together with the mechanics and the suspension engineer Diego Céspedes, which has allowed us to take a step forward. We will enjoy this victory a little and we will begin to prepare for tomorrow’s stage,”
commented an elated Gera Rosselot after his historic RC2 stage victory.
Tadeo rosselot rounded out the RC2 top three in a race that also brought setbacks for the Viña del Mar team. Emilio Rosselot (route departure) and the newly crowned R3 champion Tomás gallardo (mechanical failure) were forced to retire.
The RC4 category also saw its share of surprises. Championship contenders Mario Parra (Parra Rally Team) and Felipe Arenas (Team Megafiltros) faced misfortune. Parra, who led the morning session, retired in the sixth special stage, while Arenas suffered a delay in the final special.This allowed local drivers José Quezada (SH Racing) and Nicolás Pérez (Pérez Racing) to seize the top two spots for the day.
In the R2 category, Felipe Haro, the newly crowned champion Harold Cohen, and Nelson Cid claimed the top three positions. Meanwhile, in the Avosur Rally categories, competing in their seventh and decisive championship round, Andrés Urrutia (N4), Gabriel martínez (N3), and Ignacio Bascur (N2) emerged victorious.
Urrutia’s performance was particularly noteworthy.He secured fourth place combining his Copec RallyMobil results with his Avosur participation. He also finished in strong positions in the Avosur tournament, which saw Maximiliano Sfeir (N4), Gunther bielefeldt (N3), and José Moraga (N2) crowned as season champions.
The final test of the national tournament continues tomorrow with the second and final stage, covering 270 timed kilometers, including 57 timed kilometers. The route will traverse Quemeumo, Comuimo, Cunamo North, and Pulayo Alto, with activity scheduled between 9:48 am and 4:00 pm.
A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of chile on Wednesday, sending tremors across the South American nation and prompting tsunami warnings for parts of the Pacific Ocean. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 6.7, struck approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) west of the coastal city of Coquimbo at a depth of 10.6 miles (17 kilometers).
“We felt a very strong shake,” said a resident of Coquimbo, speaking to local media. “It lasted for about 20 seconds. peopel ran out into the streets.”
The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Chile, peru, and Ecuador, warning of potential waves of up to 3 feet (1 meter) above normal tide levels. Authorities urged residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground as a precaution.
Chile, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The contry has a long history of seismic events, including a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake in 2010 that caused widespread damage and loss of life.
There were no immediate reports of notable damage or casualties from Wednesday’s earthquake. However, authorities remain vigilant and are assessing the situation closely.
The Chilean National emergency Office (ONEMI) activated its emergency response protocols and urged the public to remain calm and follow official instructions.
The earthquake serves as a reminder of the seismic risks faced by countries in the Pacific region. Experts emphasize the importance of preparedness and early warning systems to mitigate the potential impact of future earthquakes.
## Young Gun Shoots to Fame: An Interview with Gerardo rosselot
**World-Today-news:** Gerardo, congratulations on your stunning victory! At 22, you’ve made history as the youngest driver to ever win a stage in the RC2 Pro series. Tell us, what was going through your mind as you crossed the finish line?
**Gerardo Rosselot:** honestly, it was a whirlwind of emotions. Relief, joy, disbelief – all mixed together.I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I started racing, and to see it become reality is surreal.
**WTN:** You edged out a legend, Jorge Martínez, by only 3.4 seconds. What was the key to your success today?
**GR:** Jorge is an absolute icon in this sport, so to beat him is an amazing honor. we’ve been working really hard with the team, fine-tuning the car and my driving.
My suspension engineer, Diego Céspedes, has been instrumental in helping me find that extra bit of speed. It was a perfectly balanced race, and it came down to pushing those limits without making any mistakes.
**WTN:** This is the final round of the Copec RallyMobil 2024. How will this victory impact your strategy for the rest of the event?
**GR:** This win definitely gives us momentum going into the final stages. We’re aiming for a top finish but we know the competition is fierce.
We’ll celebrate this victory tonight, but tomorrow, it’s back to focusing on the race and giving it everything we’ve got.
**WTN:** You’ve secured your place in rally history today. What’s next for Gerardo Rosselot?
**GR:** I want to keep pushing myself, keep learning, and keep improving as a driver. This is just the beginning. I have big dreams for the future, and I’m excited to see what I can achieve.
**WTN:** Thank you for your time, Gerardo, and congratulations again on your incredible victory. We’ll all be watching your career closely.
**GR:** Thank you!
