Four decades after the initial foray of the Canary Islands into the Camel Trophy, the most renowned motorsport and adventure competition globally, I had the pleasure of meeting the remarkable family of a contest that lasted until 2000. Thanks to individuals like Fernando Lorenzo and Paco Perezte, the memories remain vivid for those enthusiasts of SUVs and for the various Canarian teams that explored the most remote corners of our planet from the 1980s until the close of the last century.
The tribute to Camel Trophy took place at the magnificent La Jara farm in Benijos (La Orotava), where a gentle route commenced and concluded on the forest tracks in the northern part of the island, featuring a re-launch of the PK29, recently opened by the Cabildo.
Four vehicles adorned with Camel Trophy design—two of which were authentic—alongside several other SUVs and around forty individuals relished a day that culminated in the butchering of a 57-kilogram pig sourced from Micky Woolmington’s farm. This event marked the 30th anniversary tribute, filled with gifts and reminiscences, concluding with a steady stream of anecdotes ranging from the mid-1980s to the end of the last century. The stories flowed uninterrupted, save for the persistent rain that broke through the sunny weather accompanying the delegation, guided by the majestic silhouette of Teide, which did not leave our side throughout the evening—such is the essence of the land of sublime potatoes.
This occasion heralded the reunion of the Canarian camel trophy enthusiasts in the northern region of Tenerife with a significant nod to the canoe’s role, which was utilised as frequently as the Land Rover, leading to its affectionate moniker—Canoa Trophy.
Present at this gathering were not only the honourees Tomás Lorenzo and Micky Woolmington but also other participants like Fernando Lorenzo and Carlos Luengo (Baikal 1990), Belén de la Fuente (Kalimantan-Borneo 96), José Hernández (Tierra del Fuego 98), José Luis Hidalgo (Paraguay-Argentina-Chile 94), and Alejandro Montesdeoca (Tanzania-Burundi 91). However, the most delightful surprise came from Tenerife’s José Robaina, who turns 67 tomorrow and achieved the first significant Canarian success by securing third place in Australia 86. Robaina shared countless anecdotes from his Camel Trophy experiences, which were not as jovial as some might recall.
Fernando Lorenzo, a pilot in 1990 and subsequently the leader of the Canarian team, is already preparing for the next edition of this Camel Trophy tribute—likely to be held in La Gomera, the selected island. He will undoubtedly continue to be supported by an exceptional team of collaborators and workers, including Fran Perez Estévez, Moi, Norberto Camacho, Aitana and Alexandra Falcón, along with Miguel in multiple iterations. “It is only thanks to them that we can organise this every year,” he emphasised, acknowledging the solidarity of the entire Camel family, including the pilots and journalists who composed the teams that, since Madagascar in 1987, had flown the tricolour flag for the first time in a Land Rover. This family also includes devoted fans like David, Carlos, or Ayoze—who even welcomed a Finnish supporter this year—who exhibit unwavering loyalty to the Land Rover.
