Santiago del Teide Mayor Debuts at 50th Tamaimo Hill Climb

When people look back at the history of the Tamaimo Hill Climb in a few years, its 50th anniversary race will surely stand out. The fact that it was the 50th event, had 130 participants, and was part of three major championships (the Spanish Mountain Cup, the Canary Islands Championship, and the Tenerife Championship) would already make it memorable. But what will truly be remembered is that, for the very first time, the mayor of Santiago del Teide put on a racing suit, helmet, and drove a Peugeot 208 Rally4. He got to experience firsthand what thousands of people from Tenerife have loved for half a century.

The Tamaimo Hill Climb was where Emilio Navarro, usually busy with budgets, meetings, and paperwork, entered a completely different world. It was a world of timed races, speed, and pure adrenaline, which he described as "dreams fulfilled."

This wasn't just a quick appearance for photos or a casual drive. The mayor raced for real. And surprisingly, he did very well for a first-timer: he finished 20th in the Spanish Cup and 24th in the Canary Islands Championship. He admitted he had "practically no time to train."

A few days after the event, he spoke to EL DÍA, still feeling a mix of surprise and happiness. He's still processing the experience. "I'm still taking it all in a bit," he confessed.

He spoke simply and honestly, not like a politician. He said he had a "very good time" and that it was "fun." His participation didn't seem like a calculated move. Instead, it felt like something much deeper, almost personal. He explained, "For me, it was fulfilling a dream, something unforgettable for someone who was born in Tamaimo and has the Hill Climb so deeply ingrained."

He made his debut in one of the most traditional, popular, and internationally known events on the island's racing calendar. The first roar of his fast Peugeot 208 Rally4 fully launched him into this new world.

When asked about the moment he put on his helmet, just before starting, he described it: "At first I was a little nervous, that feeling you always get at any sporting event... But in the later runs, it was a strange feeling, but one of tranquility."

Navarro wasn't aiming to set records. His plan was to "have fun and fulfill a dream." Perhaps because he focused on the experience rather than winning, the results surprised many. He called it "one of the most beautiful things" that has happened to him. "I never expected those times, nor do I know if they are good or bad... they tell me they are good," he said.

Of course, even dreams come with doubts. For him, it almost didn't happen due to a nearly comical moment. "There came a moment when I thought: Where am I going? What madness am I about to do?" Even the night before the race, he felt uneasy: "The night before I was saying: What need did I have for all this hassle?" He had a strong desire to race, but also a lot of respect for the challenge ahead. In the end, he went through with it thanks to the car owner's persistence, whom he "enormously thanks for having insisted."

One unique aspect of the Tamaimo Hill Climb is "the descent." This is when the drivers return, and fans line the route, cheering, applauding, and shouting their names. "The descent is spectacular: that corridor the fans make for you, applauding you, calling out your name... and the displays of affection they give you, not just to me, who is from the town and known, but also to people who come from outside, to all the drivers, to all the teams, big or small." This is the magic of Tamaimo, where a long tradition and passionate fans welcome everyone, from international stars to newcomers. The mayor mentioned Paolo Diana, a very popular Italian rally driver, who finished the event with tears in his eyes: "Paolo Diana was coming down crying, tears were streaming down his face."

The mayor admitted that his preparation was minimal. He "barely had time to test the car – only a little on Thursday afternoon, at the karting track." He just did a few laps to get used to the controls, listened to the car owner "explain a few things," and then raced almost without practice. Will he do it again? "I don't know. I've already fulfilled this dream. Now I'm coming down from that cloud," he concluded.