A look back at the Raid des Notaires 2024
FR - Created in 2023 by notary Anne-Sophie Arnal, in collaboration with rally specialists Viviane and Patrick Zaniroli, the Raid des Notaires (The sollicitors' raid) is now in its second year.
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The Raid des Notaires was created in the image of the TransMaroc, ‘the school of the desert by Zaniroli’, a raid in the form of a life-size initiation for some or a short rally for others, which celebrates its 16th edition in 2024’ (Zaniroli.com)
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With 70 sollicitors on the starting line this time, with or without rally driving experience, the Raid des Notaires is gradually making its mark on the motor racing scene, attracting more and more thrill-seekers.
On the start line, a team from Gard
Made up of two sollictors from the Gard region, Jessica Argouin, the first to be tempted by the driving adventure, and Emeline Portes, who quickly rallied to her friend's project, the crew no. 18 flew the flag for the department's notarial profession.
Both newcomers to the competition, Jessica and Emeline, both driver and co-driver, took it in turns at the wheel of their Toyota Land Cruiser, a vehicle that was perfectly suited to the discipline and provided by the organisers.
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Patrick (winner of the 1985 Paris-Dakar and organiser of the famous French rally from 1994 to 2005) and Viviane Zaniroli (an enthusiast thanks to her brother Jacky Morel, a Porsche and VW specialist, creator of several magazines) draw on their extraordinary experience to ensure that the various events they organise run smoothly, both in sporting and administrative terms. Founder of the Richard Mille Princesses' Rally, Viviane has added the indispensable feminine touch to each event, as well as her own personal touch. to each event, as well as all her expertise in terms of organisation and communication, making their events more convivial than many others.
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The programme
5 days on the roads is a short time, but still enough to share a unique moment in the heart of a country with trails that are full of character.
And from the very first day, when the crews meet in Marrakech for the welcome and training session, the tone is set. The programme is extremely tight!
The crews were immersed in the world of competition as soon as they arrived, with a half-day training course organised by the raid organisers for the participants, and they prepared themselves as well as possible to hit the road.
Among them, Jessica and Emeline, in the company of the other drivers... and competitors, were able to get as close as possible to the various specificities that make up a car race of this kind, bearing in mind that, throughout the competition, liaison officers are present on the route alongside the drivers to support them in technical, mechanical and... geographical.
Getting to know your car (from tyres to dampers to clutch), finding your way around, adapting to the different tracks or managing the time trials... That's about it!
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Monday 11 November, Meeting at the hotel for the welcome and the training. Tuesday 12, Marrakech, Chichaoua, Essaouira, Agadir. Wednesday 13, Essaouira - Café TINSKHT and Coopérative Argan, stopover in Essaouira. Thursday 14, Essaouira - Tasgua Yan seaside and stopover in Taghazout. Friday 15, Taghazout-Imi NTanoute and return to Marrakech for the prize-giving ceremony.
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Time trials on roads and tracks
Punctuated by ‘timed tests where participants must maintain an average’ and where you must arrive neither early nor late, the human adventure that is the Raid des Notaires 2024 is a sporting expedition.
The stages? After the go-ahead 1 minute apart, each crew has to cover between 200 and 300 km per day. It's quite a challenge, especially for beginners and given the state of some of the tracks, some of which border on deep precipices in places.
All the drivers and co-drivers experience unforgettable moments throughout the raid, the beauty of the landscapes adding to the totally original aspect of the competition.
The stony relief of the mountains follows the desert, oases appear at the bend of a dune, crazy landscapes... And that's not counting the chance to meet the inhabitants of the villages you'll pass through, which will be extremely enriching.
A fine finish
Finishing 17th out of the 22 beginners of the raid, the crew formed by Jessica and Emeline have caught the racing bug and promise to enter the 3rd edition of the raid next year.
In 2025, given the success of the first two editions, the raid should hit the roads again, in a country still kept secret by the organisation... In any case, we can't wait to discover the next destination. More in the next episode!
Many thanks to Jessica Argouin for her contribution to this article.