Dakar - Dakar

The Dakar Rally 2025 marked the 47th edition of this legendary motorsport challenge and the 6th consecutive year in Saudi Arabia. This famous race pushes drivers and riders to their limits across some of the world's most difficult terrain. The Dakar Rally travels through harsh deserts, massive dunes reaching 250 meters high, and rocky landscapes that test both human and machine.

Starting in Bisha and finishing in Shubaytah in the Empty Quarter desert, the 2025 Dakar covered about 7,700 kilometers, with 5,100 kilometers of timed racing sections. Competitors faced 12 stages over 14 days, including a new 48-hour "chrono" marathon stage spanning 950 kilometers. The race featured separate routes for cars and bikes for 45% of the racing distance, adding to the challenge.

Approximately 807 competitors from over 50 countries participated in the 2025 Dakar, driving more than 450 vehicles across several classes. These included 134 motorcycles, 64 cars in the Ultimate class, 52 in the Challenger class, 39 SSVs, and 44 trucks. The 2025 event also saw the introduction of the M1000 category for vehicles with zero-emission or hybrid drives.

The Dakar Rally began in 1978 as a race from Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, created by Thierry Sabine after he got lost in the Libyan desert. Security concerns moved the rally to South America from 2009 to 2019 before its shift to Saudi Arabia in 2020. What started as a race for amateur adventurers has grown into a professional event that still maintains its spirit of discovery and challenge.

Daniel Sanders from Australia claimed victory in the motorcycle class while Saudi Arabia's Yazeed Al Rajhi took the car category win, making history for the host nation. The Dakar Rally continues to showcase both racing skill and cutting-edge vehicle technology, with participants pushing performance limits while advancing sustainable fuel options.

The Dakar Rally stands as a true test of endurance, skill, and determination. Competitors must rely on careful navigation, mechanical knowledge, and pure grit to finish what many consider the world's most difficult race. This classic event transforms lives and creates stories that last a lifetime.