Eric Vigouroux becomes an 80 Day Race ambassador

The successful off-road racing driver and team manager Eric Vigouroux has become an 80 Day Race ambassador. The 49-year-old Dakar Rally veteran shares the passion for adventure and does feel the need to promote e-mobility.

Vigouroux was intrigued by the adventure of the Dakar Rally when it launched in 1979. He found a way to impress the world by being one of the first competitors entering this competition with a quad in 1997. Soon, the Frenchman – who recently became an American citizen – was invited to compete for Ford France Racing Team, followed by representing the USA and Europe divisions of Chevrolet.

One of the highlights of his career was becoming FIA World Cup Champion in the 2WD category in 2010. 80 Day Race is based on the novel of Jules Verne. It is a race around the world where any land-based vehicle is allowed, as long as it does not run on fossil fuel or contains a combustion engine. The race starts in Europe and consists of 8 legs. Stopovers will be organised in major cities where a public programme including qualifying events, an educational programme as well as tradeshows will take place.

Eric Vigouroux, experienced off-road racing driver and team manager: “80 Day Race is the only global competition promoting important values such as adventure and clean mobility. I wish to take part in the first edition, as it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. In addition and after 20 years of rally-raid racing with gas vehicles, I want to demonstrate that it is never too late to start doing things a better way. I want to give my career a new direction by promoting renewable energies and I feel like 80 Day Race is the perfect platform for that.”

Frank Manders, co-founder and General Director at 80 Day Race: “Eric’s involvement as an 80 Day Race ambassador is a great honour. With his background in long distance rally raid and multiple wins to show for it, his advice and support will be invaluable for us. I’m glad to see sustainable racing can capture the imagination of even the most competitive adventurers like Eric and that he is willing to contribute to a future where motorsport can help propel sustainable mobility.”

Other ambassadors who are committed to 80 Day Race are: Hubert Auriol (Three time Dakar Rally winner and former race director), Michael, Sebastiaan & Jeroen Bleekemolen (entrepreneurs and racing drivers), Albert Bosch (adventurer and electric Dakar Rally participant), Tim Coronel (Dutch racing driver with electric aspirations), Jan Lammers (former F1 driver and Le Mans 24 hours winner), Erik Lindbergh (electric aviation pioneer), Robert Llewellyn (British actor and e-mobility specialist), Louis Palmer (sustainability specialist), Claudio von Planta (award winning film director) en Maarten Steinbuch (Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology). Click here to view all 80 Day Race Ambassadors.