A pioneer in the modernization of scrapyards, Teo Martín’s (Castañar de Ibor, Cáceres, 1955) passion for the automotive industry knows no limits. Former driver, collector and tireless businessman, in 2015 he refounded the team that bears his name to compete in national and international GT, rally, touring car and Formula 4 championships, among others. In addition, at its headquarters in the Ventorro del Cano industrial estate in Alcorcón it has created the Motor
First it was the Renove, then the Pive… Is the Moves plan having an impact on a greater number of vehicle casualties?
The number of cars that are entering the scrapyard is insignificant compared to the years of the Renove and the Pive, when there was a lot of movement. It is not that people want to change their car for an electric one, but that the incentives that are being given right now are not enough.
To drive, do you prefer a car with a combustion engine or an electric one?
I think both have to coexist. For me, the electric car is useful for getting around Madrid, since it provides enough autonomy to move around in the city, but it is not ideal for traveling by road. The charging stations that currently exist would not support an increase in the proportion of electric vehicles in the vehicle fleet.
His most recent bet, the Motor
Of course then we didn’t prepare like we do now. The Bioperformance department instructs, in addition to our own, many official pilots from various brands. For example, nutrition is a crucial aspect when we go running in any competition outside of Spain. We have collaborators who help them prevent food from exotic countries from affecting their stomach.
Could this preparation encourage pilots to retire later and later?
Yes, drivers tend to last longer until they retire. For example, Valentino Rossi or Fernando Alonso, who looks like he is 18 years old. But it is also worth noting that today’s kids are going strong. We have 14-year-old boys who race in our Formula 4 team or in the small touring car categories.
Another of the MSi’s tasks is to provide pedagogy on road safety. From your experience, what are the most common driving errors that can end in an accident?
I would highlight the use of the mobile phone or the neglect of vehicle elements such as tires. From the institute we have created a video game that will soon serve as a tool to educate children in schools about road safety.
The MSi also has a division designed to specialize mechanics and engineers in the world of motorsport. Is there any other profession that the sector demands?
Currently there is demand for all types of professionals. There is a lack of sheet metal workers, milling lathes, aviation mechanics… When we returned to competitions in 2015, they called us guys who were already engineers and were doing the qualifying master’s degree in automotive or motorsport. There we realized that, despite having finished their engineering degree, they had not touched a screw in their lives.
That was why the Engine was born.
What percentage of women are there among the students? And among the pilots?
In mechanics training, very few, around 5%. But in the motorsport master’s degree we have 20% female students.
Let’s now talk about his impressive collection of racing cars. What requirements must a vehicle have to become part of it?
The first thing is that the car has a good track record and the second thing is that it has an affordable price. Otherwise, if the car is in poor condition, we are happy to restore it. We have recently bought a Mercedes from the DTM with some problem in the bodywork and for us it is a satisfaction to see a car with an incredible resume in conditions similar to those when it competed.
You treasure models from Le Mans or the models from Group B of the World Rally Championship. Where is the most remote place you have traveled to to purchase one?
Normally, any country in Europe, we haven’t gone too far to buy one of these cars. We have a little bit of everything, from World Rally Car models to TM, depending on what they offer us.
You say you like them all, but surely there is some right eye…
I am especially fond of a Group 5 SEAT 131, because it is a car that a friend of mine drove, the bodywork was made by another friend and the mechanic was also known. Then, next to my office I have a Group B Porsche SC/RS that Beny Fernández drove and at the time I was amazed. But the truth is that I like them all.
They have even considered museumizing this collection.
We have recently acquired a 2,700 square meter facility, but the museum continues to be a medium-term project.
After your business career, including as editor of an automotive magazine, do you have anything left to do in the world of motorsport?
Everything that one has done from now on hardly counts, the important thing is to look for new objectives. We have recently founded a moto 2 team that is leading the world championship classification. We have trained mechanics who have been taken by the Aston Martin or Mercedes Formula 1 teams or the Hyundai World Rally Team. These are the projects that excite me and give me life because, even though I am already 68 years old, I would not be able to stay at home all day.
And in your personal life, any pending dreams?
The world of aviation has always aroused special interest in me since I was very young. I always wanted to learn and a few years ago I obtained my private airplane and helicopter pilot certificates, although if I flew now I would have to be accompanied by a safety pilot. That had always been a pending goal and I recommend people take it out because it is a beastly experience.
