The golden age of the Basque regional (Spain). One of the best times for rallying in our country.. Many drivers and teams fought on the roads on the roads of this community with the best possible devices, the World Rally Car. Neither more nor less, a total of 14 cars in this category – several drivers changed from WRC – turned this regional into the envy of our country and much of the world.
Cars began to arrive from the year 2000. Santi Artetxe was one of the pioneer drivers, together with Iñaki Alberdi, in enjoying these vehicles. It debuted in 2001 with a Seat Córdoba WRC Evo2 – striking for its particular blue color. Artetxe’s Spanish unit was number two, in the hands of Harri Rovanperä or Rui Madeira years ago, among many others.
We stayed at Artetxe, as he was the drivers who enjoyed the most different WRC cars. His second WRC was the Córdoba Evo 3. Chassis 17, ex Toni Gardemeister, one of the last units of Seat Sport in the World Rally Championship. In 2002 he dated luxury co-drivers such as J.A. Zorrilla or Andrés Vilariño. Santi Artetxe himself remembers the difference between the evolutions of this mount: “The change in agility and maneuverability from one Córdoba to another was noticeable”. After passing him by a Peugeot 306 Maxi Kit-Car (ex Monzón) in 2003, the titles began to arrive soon.
His move to the Peugeot from 2005 to 2009 earned him a total of six Basque Rally Champion and Rallysprint titles. All of them with the Basque co-driver Sandra Fernández. His first championship was achieved aboard the 206 WRC in 2005 (6 victories). Chassis number 55, ex Panizzi. As of 2006, he ended up at the hands of Juan José Abia. Today it is in the collection of Teo Martín (Madrid).
In 2006 the Peugeot 307 WRC arrived. Chassis number 14, driven by nothing more and nothing less than the Finn Marcus Grönholm. A true machine that amazed the fans. This car earned him four titles in the Basque Country. Like the 206 WRC, it is in the collection of Teo Martín. Artetxe remembers both Peugeot as “the best he has driven”, due to their evolution and cornering.
The great “duel” in the Mena Valley
July 27, 2006, Villasana de Mena Rallysprint. In addition to the usual WRC, the Catalan Jordi Zurita joined, along with Dani Cué, with a Seat Córdoba WRC Evo3, owned by the late José Pujol (in the past Trasmiera). Artetxe managed to win by just over two seconds with the 307 after a beautiful duel.
2007 was the year of the rematch, but with changes. One, the format of the rally, since it became the Rallye Enkartaciones Mena, with four stages. The other, Zurita’s car, since he opted for a Peugeot 307 WRC similar to Artetxe’s. The duel was served, but the Catalan gave no truce throughout the day and won with great advantage over his pursuers: Xabier Lujua and our protagonist.
Possible return to competition
Tramalón has had the opportunity to speak with the Basque rider after retiring from competition for more than ten years. The possibility of a return to the stages is important: “We are thinking of acquiring a car and participating in the Spanish Championship of Historical Vehicles”. The idea of the return would be for 2021, but it is quite possible: “We would like to race it, it is a very attractive championship“.
After his retirement in 2009, about to turn 65, Santi Artetxe remembers his first race perfectly: “At 19 years old, in the Hillclimb to Artziniega, fifth scratch”. His return, either in single events within the Basque Regional or in the aforementioned championship is closer than ever.
