Nani Roma facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nani Roma |
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Roma (right) with co-driver Michel Périn, 2009
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| Born | 17 February 1972 Folgueroles, Barcelona, Spain |
| Dakar Rally career | |
| Debut season | 1996 |
| Current team | X-Raid |
| Former teams | KTM, BMW, Mitsubishi |
| Championships | 2004 Dakar Rally (motorcycle), 2014 Dakar Rally (cars) |
Joan "Nani" Roma Cararach is a super skilled rally driver from Folgueroles, Spain. He was born on February 17, 1972. Nani is famous for winning the tough Dakar Rally not once, but twice!
First, he won the Dakar Rally on a motorcycle in 2004. Then, he switched to cars and won the race again in 2014. In 2021, he raced with the BRX Prodrive Hunter team. He is a true legend in off-road racing.
Contents
Nani's Racing Journey
Nani Roma started his racing career at a young age. He quickly showed his talent in off-road events. He competed in many different races, both on motorcycles and in cars.
Early Motorcycle Success
In 1991, Nani finished second in the Spanish Junior Championship for Cross Country Rallies. He kept improving, and in 1994, he won the European Senior Championship. He also earned a gold medal in the International Six Days Enduro (ISDE) that year.
Nani first joined the famous Dakar Rally in 1996. This was a big step in his career. He continued to win many other races, like the Baja Aragón multiple times.
Switching to Cars
After his big win in the 2004 Dakar Rally on a motorcycle, Nani decided to try racing cars. This was a new challenge for him. He quickly adapted and showed he was just as good on four wheels as on two.
In 2006, he finished third in the Dakar Rally in the car category. This proved he could be a top contender in cars too. He kept working hard and aiming for the top spot.
Dakar Rally Adventures
The Dakar Rally is one of the toughest races in the world. It covers thousands of kilometers across deserts and rough terrain. Nani Roma has competed in this rally many times, showing incredible skill and determination.
Motorcycle Wins
Nani's dream came true in 2004 when he won the Dakar Rally on his KTM motorcycle. This was a huge achievement. He had competed in the motorcycle category since 1996, facing many challenges.
He won several stages in different years, showing his speed. Even when he didn't finish the whole race, he often won individual stages. This showed he was always a strong competitor.
Car Category Victories
After his motorcycle win, Nani moved to the car category in 2005. He drove for teams like Mitsubishi, BMW, and Mini. He consistently performed well, often finishing in the top positions.
In 2012, he finished second in the Dakar Rally with a Mini. This was very close to another win. Finally, in 2014, he achieved his second Dakar victory, this time in a car. He became one of the few drivers to win the Dakar in both motorcycle and car categories.
Nani has continued to race in the Dakar Rally, even in recent years. He always pushes himself and his team to do their best. His long career in this challenging race makes him a true Dakar legend.
| Year | Class | Vehicle | Position | Stages won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Bike |  KTM |
DNF | 0 |
| 1997 | DNF | 0 | ||
| 1998 | DNF | 1 | ||
| 1999 | DNF | 1 | ||
| 2000 | 17th | 4 | ||
| 2001 |  BMW |
DNF | 3 | |
| 2002 | KTM |
DNF | 1 | |
| 2003 | DNF | 1 | ||
| 2004 | 1st | 2 | ||
| 2005 | Car |  Mitsubishi |
6th | 0 |
| 2006 | 3rd | 0 | ||
| 2007 | 13th | 0 | ||
| 2008 | Event cancelled – replaced by the 2008 Central Europe Rally | |||
| 2009 | Car | Mitsubishi |
10th | 1 |
| 2010 | BMW |
DNF | 1 | |
| 2011 | DNF | 0 | ||
| 2012 |  Mini |
2nd | 3 | |
| 2013 | 4th | 4 | ||
| 2014 | 1st | 2 | ||
| 2015 | DNF | 1 | ||
| 2016 | 6th | 0 | ||
| 2017 | Toyota |
4th | 0 | |
| 2018 | Mini |
DNF | 0 | |
| 2019 | 2nd | 0 | ||
| 2020 | Borgward |
27th | 0 | |
| 2021 | BRX |
5th | 0 | |
| 2022 | 52nd | 0 | ||
| 2023 | did not enter | |||
| 2024 | Car |  Ford |
44th | 0 |
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | ||
See also
In Spanish: Nani Roma para niños
