What drives a family to tackle thousands of kilometres of sand, rock, rivers, and treacherous terrain in a sports car? For Fredy and Susele Piotto Vogt, the answer revealed itself in spectacular style during an expedition to the Rally dos Sertões.
Behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 Dakar, the couple and their son, João Pedro, decided to test the model's limits in one of Brazil's most demanding landscapes — discovering that, in such a place, the unexpected becomes routine.
The family's connection with the Rally dos Sertões dates back to previous editions, always in the “expedition” category. This involves following the rally and navigating the same gruelling routes without actually competing. “This was our fifth time participating. We have always gone with two vehicles, camping with a roof tent. It is truly a family experience”, says Susele.
The turning point came after a Porsche event in Namibia. “When we drove the Dakar there, it was clear: this wasn't a ‘showroom' off-roader. It was a machine that truly tackles any terrain. That was the moment we decided: we have to take this car to the Sertões”, she recalls.
A car that turned heads and delivered so much more
The choice seemed daring, which is perhaps why it attracted so much attention. “It stopped the event in its tracks. Wherever we arrived, people would stop to stare and take photos. Even the professional drivers came for a closer look. It was something no one expected to find there”, Susele says.
The scene repeated at every stop, in the villages and towns along the route. Rather than hiding the car away, they displayed it on purpose. “We made a point of leaving the car visible. When else do people get to see a car like this so close, especially in a context like this?”
But it wasn't just the aesthetics that impressed; the performance under extreme conditions was the real highlight. “The ease with which it overcame every terrain was what amazed us most”, Susele asserts.
Fredy confirms this: “There are sections with deep erosion, large rocks, soft sand… and the car just keeps going. At times, it felt easier than expected”.
River crossings, for instance, were moments of high apprehension. “When I saw the first river, I was afraid. But it was all so smooth and calm that it felt as if nothing was happening”, Susele remembers.
Furthermore, the balance between off-road capability and on-road manners made all the difference during the journey. “You emerge from a difficult section and, suddenly, you are cruising on tarmac in an extremely comfortable and stable car. That completely changes the experience”, says Fredy.
Tyres that made the difference
While the car surprised many, the tyres were the deciding factor in ensuring everything went without a hitch.
Developed in collaboration between Pirelli and Porsche exclusively for this model, the Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus were put to the ultimate test and proved more than equal to the challenge. “We left home in the car, completed the entire rally, and drove back. And we are still using those same tyres today”, says Susele.
In total, the journey covered approximately 7,400 km between transfers and the rally route. In an environment notorious for punishing vehicles, the result struck a chord with Fredy. “We didn't have a single problem. No punctures. Zero. And that, at the Sertões, is rare”, he says.
He adds a more technical perspective: “The right tyre changes everything. This car was designed around this tyre. It's not a mere detail; it is part of the engineering project”.
Perhaps the most symbolic point is the contrast: the very same car that tackled sand, rocks, and rivers is also used for the family's daily life. “It's the car I use for everything: I take my son to school, I go to the supermarket… and it's the same car that conquered the Sertões”, says Susele.
As the journey ended, the conclusion came naturally: “It was unforgettable. The best off-road experience we have ever had”.
And the plans don't stop there. “We have been trying to find a second Dakar so we can go with two cars. We're still looking. Because after an experience like that, you just want to do it all over again”, Fredy reveals.
