There the similarity ends. He is neither blond haired nor blue eyed. Also, while the Peruvian-born American still calls San Diego home, he is rarely there these days.

What is most different about this young Californian is that— after just two years of business study in Switzerland— this enterprising, intrepid, and tireless Californian has a drawer full of achievements to rival any adventurer in the world.

Consider: He has parlayed an international network of contacts, friends, and associates into two prominent and thriving San Diego based companies. Now sixteen years old, EXOTIC MOTORCAR COMPANY restores priceless vintage and historic automobiles for discerning customers. SACIO ENTERPRISES, founded in 1988, brokers high-end, very rare, classic automobiles to a global market.

His father, himself a successful businessman, also possesses a deep respect for classic auto- mobiles. Together, the Sacios have campaigned in rallies across California and South America with great success. Their rallying career began when Javier the Elder caught his elev- en-year-old son borrowing his race car one night from the family garage. The anecdote portends of Javier the Younger’s zest for life.

For instance, in 1986, an America’s Cup Syndicate was formed by the San Francisco Yacht Club to contest the 1987 America’s Cup in Australia. When a relation from La Jolla was retained by the Syndicate as head designer, he offered meticulous Javier Daniel the challenge to work on the building of the huge model hull to be used for aerodynamic testing at the University of Maryland’s wind tunnel.

Sacio accepted immediately. The project lasted several months, and the final model— hand crafted of wood and fiberglass — was over thirteen feet long. The yacht ultimately developed from this model was successfully competitive until the semi-final round.

Meanwhile, as this automobile restoration business grew, Sacio noticed an expanding and attractive market in the sale and actual racing of vintage race cars. To exploit that market, he enrolled in two separate driving schools in Europe.

At world famous L’ecole de Pilotage at Le Circuit Paul Richard, Sacio dazzled his instructors with a rarely seen gift for the sport. He so clearly demonstrated his almost intuitive skills at the blazingly fast Formula One race track that he was awarded the highest honors the school ever offered. Today, he is a regular contestant and Champion in the many rallies and races held throughout California and South America.

In 1988, Sacio discovered an unusual challenge that combined elements form virtually all of his diverse background. That year, an international rally was to be held across the South American continent.

For Sacio, the TransAmazon Rally Raid combined his Peruvian heritage with his love for autos and rallying, and his seemingly natural gifts for auto racing. Moreover, the trek promised ad- venture. The appeal was irresistible. He teamed with his cousin, Andy, and organized a formidable entry featuring a factory Nissan Group B professional Rally two-wheel-drive car. Months of thorough research and preparation were committed.

Naturally, Sacios succeeded beyond all expectations. The «novice» pair claimed the Champion- ship against extraordinary odds and competition. Indeed, very few entries even completed the seven thousand mile, three week event. Undoubtedly, Sacio had found his calling.

Two years later, sponsored by NHK TV, he led his team to repeat the feat, this time at the ESSO South American Rally ’90, crossing 5 countries, and 10,000 miles, over sand, mountains, forests, and snow; from the Equator to the southernmost city in the world. This time, the Team was first overall, competing against more seasoned racers from 4 continents.