Dakar Classic: The Hidden Racing Gem

There is a pure and magnificent Dakar, one dedicated to enthusiasts driving classic cars over desert dunes as they once did, with real vehicles, not extraordinary but highly specialized machines of today's race. Why isn't it talked about? This new racing format, which takes place alongside the modern Dakar Rally, certainly deserves more attention. Now in its fifth edition, the Dakar Classic has grown from just 24 vehicles at its debut in 2021 to over 100 teams starting on January 3 in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Participants will face a challenging course of 7,246 km, including 4,033 km of special stages.

Born in 2021, the Dakar Classic features over 100 participating teams this year.

In the Dakar Classic, it's not about speed but about staying as close as possible to the time assigned for each stage by the organizers. This follows the principles of old rallies: if you arrive early, you wait before crossing the finish line; if late, you incur penalties. The regulations are detailed, with four categories (H1 to H4) for maintaining averages during special stages and three groupings for vehicles: those built before 1986, those between 1987 and 1996, and those between 1997 and 2005. Only cars at least 20 years old and previously part of the Dakar Rally can participate.

The Dakar Classic is a real adventure, despite not being a speed race. The goal is to stay as close as possible to the organizers’ assigned time.

Rally raids defy certainties and bring back true adventure. But this isn't the kind of adventure with comfortable, well-braked, air-conditioned cars that never break down. No, this is about classic, rugged, and simple vehicles—vulnerable but ready for anything. Which are the most iconic cars in this year's race? The queen is undoubtedly the Porsche 959 in its legendary Rothmans livery, which secured a magnificent double win in the 1986 edition with René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne ahead of Jacky Ickx and Claude Brasseur.

The legendary Porsche 959 in Rothmans livery, winner of the 1986 Dakar, starring in this year’s Dakar Classic.

Next are the Audi Quattros from the Dutch Quattro Legends team, modified for the Dakar by raising the seats for better visibility. It's like a journey through time, featuring all the pure off-road vehicles that have shaped rally raid history: the Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol, and Land Rover Defender.

The Audi Quattro of the Dutch Quattro Legends team, modified with raised seats to improve visibility.

And who could forget the Citroën 2CV Sahara, equipped with two engines, one on each axle, for all-wheel drive? The Dakar Classic is a genuine trip down memory lane, bringing the past to life as if an old VHS tape had revived the incredible spectacle of vehicles from yesteryear. It’s an intelligent initiative, linking past and present while waiting for the present to become the past. Thank you, forgotten heroes!

The Citroën 2CV Sahara, equipped with two engines for all-wheel drive, navigating the Saudi Arabian desert.