A look at the unique story of the Rodrigues family with a focus on the youngest member of the family - Jose-Eduardo Rodrigues
Second generation racers are a common thing in the world of motor racing.
A quick glance at entry list of some of the world’s major championships will reveal many names that can be remembered from racing eras of yesteryear such as Villeneuve, Unser, Hill, Verstappen and Rosberg.
Put simply, motorsport is full of racing drivers who are sons of racing drivers.
Third generation racers also exist, with Andretti and Fittipaldi clans being the most prominent examples. Yet, a situation where all three generations share track and compete in event is something truly exceptional. At least when it comes to major FIA-sanctioned championship.
Such an occurrence is about to take place again this coming weekend, during the 2017 FIA European Truck Racing Championship season finale at Circuito de Jarama.
18-year-old José Eduardo Rodrigues (pictured above with father José) will team up with his father José and grandfather Eduardo in a three-truck-strong Reboconorte Truck Sport Lutz Bernau entry.
Both José and Eduardo are familiar faces in the FIA ETRC paddock. José is currently experiencing a solid season that started with an overall win achieved at the Red Bull Ring, first ever for a Portuguese driver in the FIA ETRC, and with one round to go he’s leading in the Promoter’s Cup standings.
Eduardo, also a series regular, stepped down from driving before round seven at Belgium’s Circuit Zolder, making way for his grandson José Eduardo.
The youngest of the clan, cut his teeth in rallycross where he started out at tender age of 13.
“I started out in motorsport in rallycross as 13-year-old and was doing that at entry level for three years and two years ago I moved up to a higher category where I learned to compete with the front-runners.”
Last year the youngster was thrown into the deep end and swapped his usual rallycross ride for a 1300bhp truck and took part in the season finale at Jarama.
“It’s special to go back to Jarama. I know the track, unlike Zolder and Le Mans, so I hope to perform better, be closer to the front,” said the 18-year-old.
José Eduardo has to dovetailing his motorsport activities with education. “I’m in the high school at the moment. Not sure yet what’s the plan for next year,” he says.
Education aside, “Next year I still like to do rallycross but I’d also love to do some truck races, but it all depends on the budget and the sponsorship,” admits the youngest member of the Portuguese truck racing family.”