As 2024 draws to a close, X-raid can look back on one of the most successful seasons in its 20-plus-year history. Drivers secured four titles in a wide range of off-road series with the help of the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus – in the FIA World Baja Cup, FIA European Baja Cup, the Portuguese Off-Road Championship and the Polish Off-Road Championship. In addition, numerous victories and podium places. Another highlight was the presentation of the first MINI with a petrol engine developed and built by X-raid. The MINI JCW Rally 3.0i clinched its first rally victory just a few weeks after its debut.
The year started with a significant triumph for X-raid’s sister team, Q Motorsport. Together with Audi Sport, the team from Trebur secured victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally. The successful combination of Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz had already finished first in the Dakar in 2020 in collaboration with X-raid.
In 2023, João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro had only competed sporadically in the MINI JCW Rally Plus. But for the new season, they took the plunge and relied on the Ultimate car – a winning combination. The two Portuguese impressed across the board, with podium finish after podium finish and victory after victory. They competed in three off-road series – the FIA World Baja Cup, the FIA European Baja Cup and the Portuguese Off-Road Championship – and were crowned champions in all three.
The X-raid team secured a total of 13 podium positions in 2024 – with the crews standing on the top step of the podium six times! In addition, there were numerous podium finishes and victories by X-raid partner teams competing in Portugal and Poland with the MINI JCW Rally Plus or the MINI JCW Rally.
With these successes behind them, the X-raid team will travel to Saudi Arabia in a few weeks’ time for the 2025 Dakar Rally.
Sven Quandt, Team Principal X-raid:
’What an incredible year! Together with João, we won the Portuguese Championship, the European Baja Cup and the World Baja Cup. In addition, Michal secured overall victory in the Polish Championship in the MINI JCW Rally Plus! In January, Q Motorsport won the Dakar together with Audi. Four titles in one year, plus victory at the Dakar – that will be hard to repeat! The whole team has done an outstanding job, and of course the drivers have been excellent. João has done a fantastic job throughout the year. Congratulations to João and Filipe – it’s anything but easy to be so consistently at this level!’
