Sertões Rally
The International Sertões Rally is the world's third biggest off-road race in terms of the number of competitors, and the biggest and most important in Latin America. The first race was held in 1993 with 34 competitors, all on motorbikes. The start was in Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, finishing in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, and the rally covered 2,100 miles (3,500 km).
Cars only joined the rally in its third year, when the finishing line became Fortaleza, Ceará. Also in 1995, the rally increased its distance to 3,000 miles (5,000 km), the first time with 54 motorbikes and 23 cars competing. It was also in 1995 when the Rally was approved by the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM-Fédération Internationale Motorcycliste), and Italian Edi Orioli, 1996 Dakar rally winner, and Spaniard Jordi Arcarons both participated.
In 2001, ninth year of the International Sertões Rally, 113 competed, joined that year by the trucks. In the tenth year, the number of competitors rose to 214, with motorbike, car, truck, quadricycle and expedition vehicle categories.
In the last few years the event has started to promote social actions. In 2003, 100 tons of food will be donated to poor families.