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BARCELONA, Spain - There are surnames that are indissolubly linked to fuel, mud, and overcoming adversity. In Spain, speaking of the Roma family is to speak of dunes, Dakar victories, and an unconditional love for four wheels. But above all, it is about an attitude towards life. An attitude that Marc Roma, at 18 years old, embodies better than anyone.
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Following a serious accident at the 2024 European Motocross Championship in Lugo, Marc's life took a complete turn. However, what never changed was his look, his smile, and that motorsport passion he carries in his genes.
Today, thanks to the Ford Adapta program, Marc is once again experiencing the thrill of getting behind the wheel independently. And he is doing so with a very special companion: his new adapted Ford Puma ST.
The Romacar dealership in Barcelona was the stage for a very special handover, filled with emotion and family complicity. Accompanied by his parents—legendary driver and 2026 Dakar Rally runner-up Nani Roma, and his mother, fellow Dakar racer Rosa Romero—Marc received the keys to a vehicle that stands out not only for its sportiness, but also for being a revolutionary technological tool for his day-to-day life.
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For Marc, needing a car is not a whim. Living in a rural environment and facing a new stage in life made this moment an essential step for his independence:
"I live in a country house that is 5 kilometers from the nearest town. Everything I want to do—going out with friends, buying anything—requires getting around by car, and this will allow me to do that. Plus, I start university this year, so I'll have to drive every day. What better way than having this fantastic Puma," Marc explains with a smile.
Learning to drive using only your hands might seem like a monumental challenge on paper, but for Marc, who has petrol in his blood, the process has been surprisingly natural. Having never driven with his feet, his brain didn’t have to unlearn old habits, adapting directly to his hands in an innate way.
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"Honestly, I thought it was going to be harder, especially driving with my hands, which I had never done before. But I found an incredibly nice instructor who helped me a lot. Now I find it easy; it has already become automatic,” he adds.
Marc’s adapted Ford Puma ST is equipped with a state-of-the-art system that connects an accelerator ring over the steering wheel (which Marc prefers to use from the top to make maneuvering easier) directly to the car's ECU. For braking, it features a mechanical lever linked directly to the foot pedal.
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In addition to its sportier side, this Puma ST has the honor of being the first adapted vehicle in Spain to feature the Ford BlueCruise hands-free driving assist system on motorways. It is a technology that Marc has already been able to experience first-hand during his inaugural highway drive:
"I turned on BlueCruise and I was completely blown away. There’s a camera that focuses on you, and if you look away, it warns you to keep your concentration; but I was just there, hands-free, the car driving itself... it was amazing."
For Nani Roma, accustomed to the most extreme challenges on the planet at the wheel of his Ford Raptor T1+, the day's true victory is not measured by a stopwatch, but by the look of happiness on his son's face behind the wheel.
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"As parents, the most important thing is to see that your children are happy. I am incredibly grateful to Ford for these projects because they help more than they themselves realize. It’s not just a matter of getting around; it’s about feeling independent, feeling like you can do anything. When you get your license for the first time, you say, ‘Wow, the world is opening up to me,’ and that’s exactly what Marc is feeling today," Nani explains emotionally.
Nani, who accompanied his son from the passenger seat, giving him pointers during his first kilometers, highlights how intuitive and safe the system is. Because of this, the Roma family wanted to extend a wonderful open-door invitation to anyone in a similar situation:
"I highly encourage people to try it; they shouldn't be afraid of anything because it is super easy and simple. If anyone wants to try it one day, just let us know. We are at the Castellolí facilities, at Fast Parcmotor, and we can do a few laps to help them see the massive level of autonomy and freedom it gives you."
