Dakar - Dakar

The Dakar Rally returns to Saudi Arabia for its 48th edition, marking the seventh consecutive year in the Arabian Peninsula. This legendary off-road race brings over 800 competitors from 69 nations to tackle one of motorsport's most challenging tests. The 2026 edition starts and finishes in Yanbu, a coastal city on the Red Sea, and covers approximately 8,000 kilometers of demanding terrain across Saudi Arabia's diverse landscape.

Route and Course Details

The rally follows a loop format that takes competitors through varied terrain types. The total route includes around 5,000 kilometers of special timed stages where positions are won and lost. Participants face fast gravel sections, rocky technical zones, expansive dune fields, and narrow canyons throughout the competition.

The 2026 course features a prologue and 13 stages, with a rest day scheduled in Riyadh. Competitors start in Yanbu for the prologue and initial stages before moving through AlUla, known for its distinctive desert scenery. The route then passes through Hail, a region with deep rally heritage, before the rest day in the capital. From Riyadh, the race continues to Wadi Ad-Dawasir, where extensive dunes and classic desert driving await. The final stages take competitors through Bisha and Al-Henakiyah before returning to Yanbu for the finish.

Marathon Stages

Two marathon-refuge stages add extra difficulty to the 2026 Dakar. During these stages, competitors can only receive assistance from each other, with no external team support allowed. The first marathon occurs between AlUla and Hail, while the second takes place between Wadi Ad-Dawasir and Bisha. These stages test not only driving skill but also mechanical knowledge and preparation.

Service Points

Select stages include mid-stage service points where teams can change tires and perform quick repairs. This addition for 2026 helps competitors manage tire wear across the longest stages while maintaining the challenge of the race.

Competition Categories

The Dakar Rally features multiple vehicle categories, allowing diverse participation from professionals and amateurs alike. The Ultimate class (T1) showcases high-performance cross-country vehicles representing the pinnacle of rally-raid technology. The Stock category (T2) features production-based cars with performance enhancements, offering a different competitive approach.

The Challenger class (T3) consists of lightweight prototype vehicles built specifically for off-road racing. Side-by-side vehicles compete in the SSV category (T4), while trucks battle in their own division (T5) with both competition and assistance vehicles.

Additional Categories

The Dakar Classic category celebrates the rally's heritage with historic vehicles from the 1980s through 2005. These machines follow the same route but compete under separate regulations that respect their period-correct specifications while ensuring modern safety standards.

Mission 1000 represents the future direction of the Dakar, featuring vehicles with alternative or zero-emission propulsion systems. The organizers aim to have a competition without fossil combustion engines by 2030, making this category increasingly important.

Notable Participants

The 2026 Dakar attracts top talent across all categories. The Ultimate car class includes Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekstrom, Nasser Al-Attiyah, Sébastien Loeb, Seth Quintero, and Andrew Short. Martin Macík leads the truck entries, while the motorcycle category features Daniel Sanders, Tosha Schareina, Ricky Brabec, Adrien Van Beveren, Skyler Howes, Luciano Benavides, and Edgar Canet.

The Stock category sees Stéphane Peterhansel, Rokas Baciuska, and Sara Price competing, with Land Rover entering three Defenders including the Defender Dakar D7X-R. Dania Akeel competes in the Challenger class. The entry list includes 39 women across all categories, demonstrating the rally's inclusive nature.

Technical Specifications

Each category operates under specific technical regulations that balance competition fairness with innovation. Ultimate vehicles represent unrestricted development within safety parameters, while Stock vehicles must maintain closer ties to their production origins. Challengers follow lightweight prototype rules, and SSVs adapt near-production side-by-side platforms for competition use.

The Dakar Classic category features strict engine period categorization, with engine swaps allowed between brands within the same period. Competitors can now use different spring types, offering more flexibility in suspension setup. All participants must use HANS or FHR devices, and comprehensive fire extinguisher systems are mandatory.

Rally Format and Navigation

Competitors receive a roadbook that guides them through each stage. This navigation tool requires constant attention and interpretation, as crews must find the correct route while maintaining competitive pace. GPS technology assists with safety and tracking, but the roadbook remains the primary navigation method.

The rally operates as the first round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), giving strong importance to the results. Points earned in Saudi Arabia set the tone for the entire championship season.

History and Evolution

The Dakar Rally began in 1978 when Thierry Sabine founded the event after getting lost in the desert. The original route connected Paris, France, to Dakar, Senegal, creating an epic journey across multiple countries and terrain types. Security concerns led to relocation to South America in 2009, and the rally has been held in Saudi Arabia since 2020.

Major milestones include the introduction of GPS technology in 1992 and Jutta Kleinschmidt becoming the first woman to win the overall classification in 2001. The route changes every year, ensuring that experience from previous editions provides limited advantage.

What Makes This Rally Special

The Dakar Rally stands apart from traditional circuit racing through its unique combination of speed, navigation, and endurance. Stages can exceed several hundred kilometers, testing both human and machine limits. The open entry policy means privateers compete alongside factory teams, creating diverse competition across all categories.

The varied terrain of Saudi Arabia provides an ideal setting for the modern Dakar. Fast sections reward power and bravery, while technical rocky areas demand precision and mechanical sympathy. The dune fields test driving skill and vehicle capability, and navigation challenges can shuffle the order regardless of outright speed.

The 2026 edition promises intense competition across all categories as teams and riders push for victory in this legendary race. The combination of established champions and emerging talents creates unpredictable racing from the prologue through the final stage in Yanbu.