For the First Time, Dacia Sandriders Are Ready to Take on the Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally, the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), scheduled from January 3 to 17, presents a formidable challenge for both driver and machine.

Spanning from west to east across Saudi Arabia, over sand dunes and rocky terrain, the race kicks off on January 3 with a prologue and covers 5,145 kilometers of timed sections over 12 days of competition.

Starting in Bisha, in western Saudi Arabia, and finishing in Shubaytah in the east, the route includes a rest day in Hail and an overnight stay in the capital city, Riyadh. Among the stages is a grueling 48-hour Chrono section, featuring 971 kilometers of intense timed racing.

Tiphanie Isnard, team leader of Dacia Sandriders, holds no illusions about the tough road ahead for the three-car squad.

“We are embarking on what can only be described as an extraordinary human challenge, but we are determined to face it with courage and confidence, given how hard we have worked to prepare,” Isnard stated.

“While this is a demanding event, spanning nearly three intense weeks, we are thrilled about the adventure that lies ahead and cannot wait to get started.”