15 Nov 12

Newspaper
wins the
day for
Guerra

A newspaper article and the intervention of a billionaire proved the difference between title joy and title despair for Benito Guerra on RallyRACC-Rally de Espana last week.

Guerra feared he wouldn’t be able to defend his 11-point lead in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship in Catalunya because he didn’t have the money needed to drive his Ralliart Italia Mitsubishi Lancer.

That was until Carlos Slim, whose business interests have earned him billions of dollars and reportedly makes him the world’s richest man, read about his fellow Mexican’s financial woes in a national newspaper and offered him a funding lifeline.

“It was with luck Carlos Slim read that newspaper on that day,” said Guerra, who went on to win six-way battle for the PWRC crown on the mixed surface season finale. “I was very down after [crashing in] Italy because I did not have the budget to come to Spain. But Carlos called me, told me not to worry but said I have to fight for the championship and make sure I win it. Now I have a very good gift for him and his Telmex company because they were a very big salvation.”