Joaquim Santos
{{Short description|Portuguese rally driver (1952–2024)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Joaquim Santos
| image = Slide - 05-89 Kodak Rally Portugal 1989 Montejunto - 010 (23022923584).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Santos racing a Ford Sierra Cosworth in 1989
| birth_name = Joaquim Coelho da Rocha Santos
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1952|06|09}}
| birth_place = Penafiel, Portugal
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2024|03|18|1952|06|09}}
| death_place =
| nationality = Portuguese
| other_names =
| occupation = Rally driver
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
}}
Joaquim Coelho da Rocha Santos (9 June 1952 – 18 March 2024) was a Portuguese rally driver.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=18 March 2024|title=Morreu Joaquim Santos, histórico do rali português|trans-title= |url=https://www.record.pt/modalidades/motores/ralis/detalhe/morreu-joaquim-santos-historico-do-rali-portugues|language=Portuguese|work=Record|location= |access-date=21 March 2024}}
Biography
Born in Penafiel on 9 June 1952, Santos raced from the 1970s to the 1990s. He began his career at city circuits, winning the Austin Mini trophy in a Ford Fiesta 1300. He also did rallycross with his brother, Fernando, taking part in truck races in Lousada and winning the Toyota Starlet trophy. He also raced in a BMW, a Datsun, and an Opel Kadett.{{cite web|url=https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/8048|title=Joaquim Santos|work=eWRC}} In 1986, his accident in a Ford RS200 in Sintra resulted in the deaths of three spectators.{{cite news |last=Noakes |first=Andrew |date=11 August 2005 |title=Group Therapy |trans-title= |url=https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features-motorsport/group-therapy/11606 |access-date=11 September 2024 |work=PistonHeads |location= |language=}} The race was eventually won by Joaquim Moutinho.{{cite news |last=Evans|first=David|date=24 May 2020|title=The disaster of Rally Portugal 1986|trans-title= |url=https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/the-disaster-of-rally-portugal-1986/|language= |work=DirtFish|location= |access-date=21 March 2024}}
Joaquim Santos died on 18 March 2024, at the age of 71.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=18 March 2024|title=Morreu Joaquim Santos, histórico piloto do rali português|trans-title= |url=https://sicnoticias.pt/desporto/2024-03-18-Morreu-Joaquim-Santos-historico-piloto-do-rali-portugues-6cd1fffd|language=Portuguese|work=SIC Notícias|location= |access-date=21 March 2024}}