The Lanzarote natives Luis E. Ferrer and Pedro Padrón embark again on the adventure of the XVIII edition of the Panda Raid in Morocco. Both participants face this challenge with enthusiasm and determination, in an experience that combines sport, adventure, and personal growth, also representing the island of Lanzarote in one of the most unique events of the automotive scene.
The Panda Raid will begin this Saturday with departure from Almería heading to Nador, where the technical verifications will be carried out. The event will culminate on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, on Mehdia beach, in the purest "rally cross country" style.
Luis E. Ferrer Hernández and Pedro Padrón Cedrés will be part of the more than 400 participating teams in this edition, among Canarian, national and international ones. The people from Lanzarote will experience this again in Morocco, in an edition that will be held from April 11 to 18 and that will travel through the impressive desert landscapes of the country.
The Panda Raid, known for its spirit of adventure and camaraderie, brings together teams from all over the world each year who compete aboard SEAT Panda and Fiat Panda vehicles. Participants will have to face demanding navigation and endurance challenges, crossing arid terrains and overcoming various natural obstacles.
Composed of six Off Road stages, with a total of 2060 Km, the Panda Raid 2026 offers an experience that will require precise navigation and excellent coordination among team members, who will have to exercise endurance and skill to complete the stages with the goal of crossing the finish arch each night and for the camp to become the refuge where they can recharge energies and prepare for the next stage..
The stages of Panda Raid 2026 have more navigation, changes of pace, and off-track sections, taking us a little further from the main tracks and this year's route. As a note, and thinking of the teams that have participated in other editions, 65% of the tracks are different compared to the previous year, which will allow discovering new places and facing new challenges.
This year the first stage is the longest in mileage, and precisely in that distance lies a good part of its difficulty. It will be a demanding day to start, in which the teams will have to quickly find the pace of the raid.
The second stage crosses some of the most spectacular landscapes of the route, combining navigation and driving sections that will allow the teams to enjoy the terrain. But as the raid advances towards the south of Morocco, the terrain changes and sand begins to gain prominence", ! so La Panda Raid starts strong!
12/04 Port of Nador – Naima
13/04 Naima - Bouarfa 353 km.
14/04 Bouarfa – Ksar ouled ali 350 km.
15/04 Ksar ouled ali - Merzouga 334 km.
16/04 Merzouga - Tafraute Sidi Ali 250 km.
17/04 Tafraute Sidi Ali - Herrandou 324 km.
18/04 Herrandou – Mehia 450 km
Luis and Pedro, two Lanzarote natives passionate about adventure, the sporting and, above all, human values that this event transmits, join forces to face the challenge of completing the route with their Fiat Panda 4x4, with the aim of representing the archipelago in a different and supportive way.
Luis E. Ferrer has stated: “For us, the Panda Raid is much more than a race. It is a life experience. Returning to Morocco means facing the unknown again, the daily effort and coexistence with other teams. We go with enthusiasm, with respect for the challenge and with the pride of representing Lanzarote in a unique adventure.”
The team from Lanzarote starts with the main goal of completing the event in the best possible conditions, being aware of the toughness of its stages, marked by demanding tracks and precise navigation. Beyond the competition, this experience also entails coexistence, camaraderie, and an opportunity to leave a mark as representatives of Lanzarote.