Second, in the RallyGP category at the finish of the Dakar and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Hero rider Ross Branch sits atop the general classification thanks to the consistency he has demonstrated in the first two rallies of the season. Just before taking off for the round that will mark the season's halfway point, the Botswanan has 50 points on the board. In Portugal, "Kalahari Ferrari" will find the Monster Energy Honda squadron that surrounded him during the two weeks of racing last January. First and foremost is Ricky Brabec, the winner in Yanbu, who has since scored 38 points. The American is only 12 points in the rears. The Californian enjoys the open desert but won't be in his favourite environment on the tracks that await him. However, the HRC veteran, who has won two Dakars (2020-24) since joining the Japanese outfit in 2015, will be flanked by the team's four latest recruits. Two have already won on Iberian soil. Pablo Quintanilla, who arrived in 2021, won the Andalucía Rally that year in his debut outing aboard the CRF Rally. The Chilean is sixth in the championship with 17 points. Recruited the following season, Adrien Van Beveren won the W2RC season finale in Andalusia in 2022. Third in the Dakar last January, the Frenchman is fourth overall on 24 points and can catch up to the leading duo. Skyler Howes, who has been with the team since the 2023 season finale, crashed out of the two rallies he has contested with Honda. The second American is aiming for a first result with the Red Armada. Tosha Schareina, the youngest rider in Ruben Faria's team, also missed out on the last Dakar, crashing out on stage 1. The Spaniard will be keen to repeat his performances of 2023, especially as stage 4 will take place entirely in Spain. Hero MotoSports will have just two riders to defend its lead in the manufacturers' classification against the five Hondas. Sebastian Buhler will be back after his crash on the Dakar. This return will have a special significance for the German-born factory Hero rider as he has spent most of his life in Portugal. The Indian brand has 75 points to Honda's 62. Seven RallyGP entries have been received for round three.
In Rally2, the category is also awaiting seven experienced riders. Like Ross Branch, Jean-Loup Lepan is the leader after two rounds, thanks to his consistency. Third W2RC Rally2 rider in Yanbu and runner-up in early March in Abu Dhabi, the Frenchman is on 44 points. That's just 6 points ahead of compatriot Romain Dumontier, the category's reigning number one, who scored 38 points on the Dakar. First in Rally2 and a superb second overall on the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, Konrad Dabrowski is third in the championship with 36 points. The Pole is only two points back of 'Dudu'. After two rounds, the Rally2 top three are separated by eight points! Bradley Cox (BAS World KTM Racing), who finished between Dumontier and Lepan on the Dakar, has 30 points. Jan Brabec (Strojent Racing) is fifth with 25 points, Mathieu Dovèze (BAS World KTM Racing) is seventh with 17 points, and Sébastien Herbet (Dumontier Racing) will also be in action.
Manuel Andújar tops the quad category classification with 38 points, thanks to his Dakar victory. The leader has a scant four-point advantage over Hani Alnoumesi, second in Abu Dhabi. With 34 points, the Saudi is in striking distance of the Argentine. But with a margin of just 10 points over fifth in the general classification Juraj Varga, Alnoumesi will have to acclimatise quickly to the European tracks if he is not to be outdone by the continental riders. The Slovak has solid W2RC experience. As does Kamil Wisniewski, who retired after a crash in the Emirates round. In the general classification, the Pole is less of a threat as he has yet to score any points in the championship, but he could cost the Saudi rider some points if he slips in between the two. Like CFMoto riders Antanas Kanopkinas (17 pts) and Gaetan Martinez, the Lithuanian and the Frenchman are regulars on European rally tracks. Bolivian Suany Martínez is the seventh W2RC quad rider to be confirmed.
Portugal will be the first round of the Rally3 calendar which, like last year, will be contested over the final three rounds of the season. Nine riders will be competing on enduro bikes tuned with larger fuel tanks and rally-raid-specific navigation instrumentation.
Source: W2RC / A.S.O.
Photo: A.S.O/DPPI/B.Roux
The last round for the crown! 💥 It all comes down to this in Morocco!
{youtube}https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTSNBx-raHc{/youtube}
All rights belong to A.S.O. / W2RC Publiched on RRN in cooperation with W2RC
Four months since the last round of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship, it’s direction Morocco as the Monster Energy Honda Team riders assemble for the final push of the season.
As well as being on the verge of taking the FIM Manufacturers’ World Championship for a third successive year, Ricky Brabec and Adrien Van Beveren are also on the hunt for top spot in the FIM Riders’ Championship too meaning the Rallye Du Maroc will provide a stunning backdrop to an epic battle.
Last time out in Argentina the Monster Energy Honda Team riders took a spectacular top four clean sweep as Ricky Brabec added victory at the Desafío Ruta 40 to his Dakar win at the start of the year. Having competed in just the two rallies this season, his 100% win record has still put the American in the title fight as he sits just nine points behind points leader, Ross Branch. They will tie on points if Ricky takes victory and Ross finishes in third, but having won more rounds, the championship honours will go to the Californian on the tie break.
Also joining him in that battle is teammate Adrien Van Beveren after his consistent third place podiums at the rounds he’s ridden in this year. The Frenchman is sixteen points behind Branch and mathematically still able to overhaul the pair of them in Morocco if Adrien keeps the pressure on towards that top spot, so things will be tense for all concerned.
Not one to sit in the shadows the 2024 Rally-Raid Portugal victor, Tosha Schareina, heads into this round as the newly crowned FIM E-Xplorer World Champion, so although he’s out of the championship battle, the Spaniard will be looking to round out his season on a high with victory in the spectacular desert of the North African country.
Chilean rider Pablo Quintanilla has had a quiet year in terms of podiums and although he has consistently finished in the top six, he’s had some productive testing kilometres under his belt of late so he’ll be using this event to gain more experience on his Honda CRF450 RALLY and help him on the road to victory at the Dakar Rally in 2025.
Sitting this one out is Skyler Howes who sustained an ankle injury in August. Despite being back on the bike training, he’ll be watching from the sidelines as he gets himself fully fit for the start of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship season in Saudi Arabia.
A milestone introduction to the bike category at this event is the use of the digital roadbook and with the Monster Energy Honda Team testing this past week in Morocco, they have been using this time to not only get their bikes set up for the different terrain, but to also master this important new tech.
With a total 2,468 kilometres across a prologue and five stages, the Rallye Du Maroc kicks off in Marrakesh on Sunday 6th October and will finish up in Mengoub-Bouârfa six days later where the 2024 World Rally-Raid Champion will be crowned.
Ruben Faria - General Manager: "We are here at the last round of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship with four riders, Ricky Brabec, Tosha Schareina, Pablo Quintanilla and Adrien Van Beveren. We have been in Morocco testing and the riders are happy with the bike and all feeling good knowing we can fight for the win on this rally.
Ricky has a gap of just nine points to Ross Branch in the standings and Adrien is a further seven back, so he does still have a chance to win but it won’t be as easy. We’ll take it day by day and do our best as we can while in the manufacturers’ title we lead this by 22 points so that’s very encouraging.
It’ll be a tough rally as over the last month Morocco has seen a lot of rain in this area so the organisers will have to change some tracks as there’s a lot of water, but we’re all positive for this final round that we just want to start!"
Ruben Faria - Pablo Quintanilla 7: "We’ve been training really hard and these kinds of situations are what truly test our ability to adapt. The next six days will be intense but the team and I are focused on doing our best. This rally is the best training we can have before Dakar 2025 and I’m feeling very motivated."
Pablo Quintanilla - Ricky Brabec 9: "The past few weeks have been marked by intense rain which has left the terrain in pretty challenging conditions for us, however, that hasn’t affected our focus or determination. We know it will be a challenge but we’re mentally prepared to give our best during these six days. Plus, once we’ve overcome this test, we’re already thinking about the next big goal of the year, so the motivation is at an all-time high."
Ricky Brabec - Adrien Van Beveren 42: "I’m super happy to be back competing in Morocco after a few months off since the rally in Argentina. The place is incredible, the desert has different terrains and really tests us to the limit. The Dakar is just around the corner but we will still give our best to finish the season as best as we can, I’m sure it's going to be a good battle."
Adrien Van Beveren - Tosha Schareina 68 "I’ve had to change my mentality in just a week after having competed in Switzerland with the Honda CR ELECTRIC PROTO, but I’m feeling good and strong and although I’ve had to get used to a change of climate from the cold at Crans Montana to the heat here, I can’t wait for the Morocco rally to start."
Source: Monster Energy Honda Team
The Dacia Sandriders will switch to competition mode for the first time later this week when Nasser Al-Attiyah/Édouard Boulanger, Cristina Gutiérrez/Pablo Moreno and Sébastien Loeb/Fabian Lurquin contest Rallye du Maroc (October 6-11), the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship season decider and the perfect practice run for January’s Dakar.
Having tested the Ultimate category Sandrider extensively in the UK, France and Morocco during the summer, The Dacia Sandriders will aim to put all of that valuable learning into practice on an event described as a miniature Dakar, motorsport’s ultimate test of driver and machine.
While Rallye du Maroc, which covers a total distance of 2468 kilometres, represents a competitive first for The Dacia Sandriders, its driving and team personnel have experience of the African rally-raid event from recent seasons. That gives the squad an important platform from which to progress. Indeed, Al-Attiyah, a five-time Dakar winner, was victorious on Rallye du Maroc as recently as 2021.
“In less than three months we’ll be in Saudi Arabia for Dakar and for what will be an extraordinary human challenge,” said Tiphanie Isnard, The Dacia Sandriders’ team principal. “But you can’t run before you can walk and that’s why we’ve entered the final round of the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship to get more important practice and confirm all that we have been learning and developing during testing.
“With five test sessions complete this will be our first race and we’re ready for this real-life rehearsal before we embark on our mission to conquer Dakar.
“To get to this point has required a huge amount of effort and hard work. The dedication of all members of our team has been incredible and I’m really proud of each and every one of them for what they have done.”
A founding round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship in 2022, Rallye du Maroc forms the season-decider for the second season in 2024. Getting under way with a Prologue in Marrakech to the west of Morocco on October 6 and finishing in Mengoub Bouârfa to the northeast of the country on October 11, the event is all about sand dunes, rock-strewn stretches, rough gravel sections and searing heat. Of the 2468-kilometre total distance, 1512 kilometres are against the clock, to underline the intensity of the challenge ahead for The Dacia Sandriders.
NASSER AL-ATTIYAH (QATAR), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“Rallye du Maroc is not only very important for the championship, it’s also very important for the teams because everybody is coming to prepare for Dakar. At this moment we are leading the championship and from my side we need to be clever, we need to manage with a good speed and do no crazy thing because the Sandrider is a new car and we must try to work day by day. I hope to win the world title and be the world champion, it would be nice for me and for my co-driver Edouard as well.”
CRISTINA GUTIÉRREZ (SPAIN), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“It will be our first race with the Sandrider after a long series of tests and I'm very excited. It will also be my first race in a new category as I jump from the Challenger to the Ultimate class. A lot of new things are coming as it's a new car, new category and new team but I already feel very comfortable with The Dacia Sandriders and I hope we can confirm the work done during the tests on Rallye du Maroc. I have some pressure but it's a positive pressure, the type that makes you give the best of yourself. Of course, it will be a race of preparation for Dakar, but I hope we can achieve a good result and have fun.”
SÉBASTIEN LOEB (FRANCE), DRIVER, THE DACIA SANDRIDERS
“After all the hard work in testing we can finally measure ourselves against the competition and see where we are in terms of performance, but also because we’re starting a new adventure with this top team. It will be a full-scale test, a live rehearsal you could say, so the objective is, above all to see that everything is in place and working properly. If it isn't this is the opportunity to identify the problems and resolve them before Dakar. But if we can get a good result, that would be even better.”
DAKAR NOT ONLY FOCUS FOR THE DACIA SANDRIDERS IN MOROCCO
While its Dakar preparations will be the focus for The Dacia Sandriders on Rallye du Maroc, Nasser Al-Attiyah starts the event in contention for a sixth overall title in what is now the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship following the discipline’s rebranding in 2022. After four rounds competing with other teams, Al-Attiyah and co-driver Edouard Boulanger top their respective championships by 25 and 20 points.
THE DACIA SANDRIDERS RALLYE DU MAROC LINE-UP
#200: Nasser Al-Attiyah (QAT)/Edouard Boulanger (FRA)
#212: Cristina Gutiérrez (ESP)/Pablo Moreno (ESP)
#219: Sébastien Loeb (FRA)/Fabian Lurquin (BEL)
RALLYE DU MAROC: THE BIG NUMBER
1512: Of Rallye du Maroc’s total distance of 2468 kilometres, 1512 kilometres – spread over five stages – are against the clock.
Source: Dacia
The stakes are higher than ever in the 2024 W2RC finale. From the drivers and co-drivers to the manufacturers, all the FIA titles are still up for grabs as the engines rev up in Marrakesh! The verdict will be pronounced at the end of the 2,468 kilometres of the Rallye du Maroc.
Make or break
The 2023 champion, Nasser Al Attiyah (Dacia Sandriders), and his runner-up, Yazeed Al Rajhi (Overdrive Racing), were looking forward to a rematch in 2024. Fast-forward to the end of the season and the two drivers are fighting for the FIA title again. It has become a classic duel. Six W2RC races have seen both of them on the final podium, including the last edition of the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF Infinia, where the Saudi ace got the better of his Qatari rival. The two-time reigning champion holds a margin of 25 points going into the grand finale, but Al Rajhi can still snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Indeed, he scored 27 points more than Al Attiyah when he triumphed in Morocco last year. The leader has no room for error in a country where he has already savoured the sweet taste of victory (2014 through 2018 and 2021) and the bitter sting of defeat (DNF in 2019 and fifteenth place in 2023). Shaking up this scenario even more is the fact that this will be his first official race in a Dacia Sandrider. Getting it right the first time is easier said than done, as the Qatari himself experienced first-hand when he had to bail out of his new Hunter before the finish of the Dakar last January. Sure, he bounced back with two consecutive victories at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge and the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, but if he messes up this time, the crown will go to his arch-rival in Morocco.
Another driver remains mathematically in contention… On paper, at least. Lucas Moraes (Toyota Gazoo Racing) trails the leader by 53 points with 55 points on the table (see box below), so he needs something just short of a miracle. However, the Brazilian has two missions to keep him busy. First, to defend the W2RC bronze medal that he claimed last season, knowing that X-raid Mini JCW's Guerlain Chicherit and Guillaume de Mevius are 34 and 38 points behind, respectively. Second, to do his bit to propel Toyota Gazoo Racing to the manufacturers' championship! Just like Al Attiyah, TGR are eyeing their third title on the bounce, but now with him on the other side. The Qatari's marque, Nasser Racing by Prodrive, is 30 points adrift.
Historic first on the cards
Rokas Baciuška (Can-Am Factory) remains undefeated in the W2RC. The Lithuanian clinched the SSV titles in 2022 and 2023. He joined the Challenger field this season in a bid to become the first driver to emerge victorious in two different classes. He has never finished lower than first (Portugal and Ruta 40) or second (Dakar and ADDC). With a healthy lead of 44 points over Nicolás Cavigliasso, there is no reason for him to stress in the final round. The Argentinian has won almost as many stages as his rival (seven, i.e. one fewer), but he is paying the price for his anaemic early-season performances at the Dakar (sixth) and in the Emirates (fifth). Finishing sixth in Mengoub/Bouârfa would do the trick for Baciuška, although you should never count your chicks before they hatch in rally raids.
Marcelo Gastaldi (BBR) faces a scenario not entirely unlike that of his compatriot Moraes in Ultimate. He is also third in his class, Challenger, and he also needs to seal the deal on a podium finish. His closest rival, Austin Jones (Can-Am Factory), is not coming to Morocco. Instead, his BBR teammate Dania Akeel is the closest threat at 32 points.
Buckle up
A season is a long time in rally raids. By the time they cross the finish line of the Rallye du Maroc, the competitors will have covered over 17,000 kilometres. Consistency is key over such mammoth distances. Sebastián Guayasamín (BE Racing), ensconced in the SSV lead despite not having won a single race, is living proof of that! Keeping mistakes to the bare minimum and protecting his machine has allowed him to finish in the top 4 in every single round so far, in stark contrast with Yasir Seaidan (MMP), who has won two rounds but bowed out of the rallies in Portugal and Argentina. He now stands 6 points behind Guayasamín.
What looked like a two-man duel between the Can-Am drivers has morphed into a three-way standoff. Ricardo Ramilo (Escuderia Ramilo-Rodamoto) has surged back into contention for the title after snapping up the last two rounds. The Spaniard is 20 points from taking the crown from under his rivals' noses. Rebecca Busi (OnlyFans) has a bigger mountain to climb at 41 points. For the first time in W2RC history, four competitors are in the mix for the championship heading into the finale!
Points on offer
A maximum of 55 points are at stake in the Rallye du Maroc, with two different hauls up for grabs:
Finishing in the top 15 overall, according to the following scale: 30 (1st), 25 (2nd), 20 (3rd), 17 (4th), 15 (5th), 13 (6th), 10 (7th), 9 (8th), 8 (9th), 7 (10th), 6 (11th), 5 (12th), 4 (13th), 3 (14th) and 2 (15th).
Finishing in the top 5 of a stage, according to the following scale: 5 (1st), 4 (2nd), 3 (3rd), 2 (4th) and 1 (5th).
Each manufacturer can field a maximum of three crews in each event. Only the top two from each team will score points, which will be awarded following the above scale.
History in the making
The three world co-driver championships are also on the line. In the FIA class, Édouard Boulanger (Dacia Sandriders) is in the pole position to succeed fellow Frenchman Mathieu Baumel (X-raid Mini JCW). Al Attiyah's new partner is 20 points ahead of Al Rajhi's lieutenant, Timo Gottschalk (Overdrive Racing).
There is history in the making in the Challenger class, where Valentina Pertegarini seems poised to become the first female W2RC champion! Riding shotgun with Cavigliasso, the Argentinian will not have to contend with Oriol Vidal (Can-Am Factory), who is still on the mend. The final obstacle standing in her way is Gastaldi's co-driver, the Brazilian Carlos Sachs (BBR), 35 points adrift. In the SSV class, Fernando Acosta (BE Racing) has a golden opportunity to erase his 11-point deficit to the leader Fausto Mota, who is no longer racing with Ramilo. If Sergio Lafuente (OnlyFans), who navigates for Busi, manages to keep his third place, he will net Uruguay its first ever W2RC title.
Source: W2RC / A.S.O.
San Quintín, Baja California, Mexico – September 29th 2024 — The highly anticipated Six Day Baja Rally 2024 has officially begun, bringing together passionate riders from around the world to compete in one of the most challenging and scenic off-road races. Organized by rally veterans Mauricio Parra and Scotty Bloom, and sponsored by Rally Comp, this event promises intense competition, camaraderie, and adventure over six exciting days of rugged terrain.
As the sun rose over the misty shores of San Quintín, riders gathered at Hotel Santa María to prepare for the event. The fog rolling in from the Pacific created a surreal atmosphere, with the sound of waves crashing on the shore blending with the hum of motorcycles being fine-tuned. Old friends shared stories, while new competitors eagerly lined up for registration, marking the official start of Six Day Baja Rally 2024.
Technical Inspections: Safety First with Dave Pearson
Dave Pearson, a renowned rider and veteran of the Dakar Rally’s Malle Moto class, took charge of the technical inspections. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Pearson is ensuring every rider and machine is prepared for the extreme conditions ahead.
"Safety is always the top priority," Pearson explained. "The basics are crucial—helmets, water, and first aid kits are mandatory. Then we get into the details of the bike: checking the tire beads, spokes, and ensuring the Rally Comp is operational." Pearson's rigorous checks guarantee that riders are equipped not only to race but to do so safely.
The Baja Rally uses the Rally Comp, a GPS-based navigation tool that helps riders stay on course, track their progress, and, if needed, call for emergency assistance. This technology, combined with Pearson’s thorough inspections, gives riders peace of mind as they tackle the rally’s demanding stages.
Newcomers Ready to Leave Their Mark
Among the fresh faces at this year’s rally is Carlos Rocha, a Mexican-American rider, in the Senior Classification, representing the U.S. on his Husqvarna. Calm and composed, Rocha shared his passion for the sport: "Motorcycles have always been in my heart. Being here, competing with so many talented riders—it’s a dream come true."
Rocha is just one of many new competitors eager to test their skills against seasoned veterans, adding a layer of excitement to this year's event.
Racers' Meeting: Final Preparations and Safety Briefing
Later in the day, riders gathered for the mandatory meeting at Hotel Mission Santa María’s ballroom. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as teams reviewed strategies and discussed safety protocols to ensure everyone understood the challenges ahead. The meeting emphasized the importance of preparation and teamwork for the coming days.
Victor Orellana, an event tracking and dispatch manager working with Baja Rally and Rally Comp, explained the crucial differences between traveling neutralization points and full-stop zones. “Gas stops are typically in areas where they want riders to stay, so nobody can gain an advantage. You fill up and take a little break, but you need to remain in the neutralization zone,” Orellana explained. “Then there’s the traveling neutralization zone, where the clock is paused, and riders go from point A to point B without being timed. These are usually transits through delicate areas and cities, where the race clock is paused to let riders get through safely."
Orellana’s expertise stems from his role as the creator of www.chasingwaypoints.com a podcast focused on rally raids, local events, and the rally scene. His role in tracking riders during the race ensures real-time monitoring and emergency response if needed.
Jordan Strachan: Focused on Dakar 2025
Canadian rider Jordan Strachan, a fan favorite, shared his mindset heading into the Baja Rally, with his ultimate goal set on Dakar 2025. "I try to stay calm," Strachan said. "My focus is on keeping the bike steady, warming up, and letting things fall into place."
Strachan’s strategy revolves around patience. "I’ll take it easy in the early stages and push harder when the time is right. Consistency is what will get me to the finish line safely."
When asked about his biggest challenge, Strachan was clear: "Staying safe. It’s not about outright speed for me—it’s about endurance and making smart decisions." He acknowledged the strength of his competitors as well. “There are so many good riders out here. Colton’s going to dust me—he’s fast, and an unreal rider. Same with Tony and Mike. All those guys are strong racers.”
Despite the tough competition, Strachan remains focused on his own performance, knowing that endurance and consistency will be key to a strong finish.
Source Baja Rally
The date of Sertões 2025 has changed. Originally scheduled for August 29 to September 7, the 33rd edition of the biggest rally in the Americas has been brought forward and will take place from July 26 to August 3.
The decision was taken by the race organizers after careful evaluation and planning. The aim is to align the date of the event with the world Rally Raid calendar, optimize logistics and offer better conditions for drivers, teams and the press.
Automatic translation of the Brazilian Portuguese version
Prior to the Rallye du Maroc, Erik van Loon will test with the Audi S1, with which he will participate in the Dakar Classic in January. After the test, Erik will start getting ready to participate in the Rallye du Maroc, which he will do in a new Can-Am T4. Erik will be navigated by Hein Verschuuren.
Erik is looking forward to going to Morocco again. “Especially as a test for the Dakar Rally, it's always good to go to Morocco. You can really put the car to the test there, but also establish a good base in terms of setup. We have already driven the Audi a few times, but not yet under these conditions. During the Dakar Classic things are of course different than during the 'normal' Dakar, but also then the car has to be good and we have to know what it can do. I'm very much looking forward to driving it.”
The test will be followed by the Rallye du Maroc. “That's quite a switch, from the Audi to a Can-Am. South Racing has built a new T4 and we will drive it. The competition in this class is very big and usually the field of competitors in Morocco is well filled. For us, the most important thing is to finish and not have any problems, because we haven't been able to do that the last few rallies. Once we feel the confidence in the car we can increase the speed and see where we stand in this field of competitors.”
The Rallye du Maroc begins on Oct. 6 with a 25-kilometer prologue. The two days before the prologue will be used for inspections and final tests with the Can-Am. The rally ends on Oct. 11 after 1,512 kilometers at speed. For more information about the rally, visit https://rallyemaroc.com/.
Automatic translation of the Dutch version
Source: Van Loon Racing
The Rallye du Maroc marks the end of the FIA Cross Country Rally World Championship and is one of the most popular events on the calendar for this reason, among others. This year, the X-raid team is travelling to the starting city of Marrakesh with a total of four vehicles: the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i will be making its debut there. It will be accompanied by two X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus and an X-raid 1000R Turbo side-by-side. In addition, X-raid can rely on an interesting and powerful line-up of drivers.
Two new crews will be sitting in a MINI in Morocco: the two Frenchmen Guerlain Chicherit and Alex Winocq will be driving the new X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i. The Belgian Guillaume De Mévius will be competing in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus together with the Frenchman Mathieu Baumel. João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro are also in the line-up, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak from previous races in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus. Hungary's Pál Lónyai will be competing in the X-raid side-by-side with Alexey Kuzmich.
For Ferreira and Palmeiro, it will be their first longer rally in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally Plus in about half a year. So far, the two Portuguese have mainly competed in Bajas – and with great success: they secured a total of seven podium places, with five of them at the top of the podium.
Chicherit has accompanied the X-raid team at several stages of its history. He started in the BMW X3 CC and drove the first MINI ALL4 Racing. Later, he competed in the CBRA Buggy, with which the X-raid team wanted to gain experience in the category of rear-wheel drive vehicles. Now the Frenchman and X-raid are starting together on another adventure. Chicherit will drive the first X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i in the Rallye du Maroc.
De Mévius has also already covered the first kilometres in the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i. The Belgian is currently one of the great talents in the off-road rally scene. After finishing third in the 2023 Dakar in the Challenger classification, he sensationally secured second place in the car classification this year.
This year's Rallye du Maroc starts in Marrakech and leads via Zagora to Mengoub Bouarfa in eastern Morocco. A total of 2,492 kilometres are on the agenda, 1,517 km of which are against the clock.
All news regarding the X-raid Team's participation in the 2025 Dakar Rally will be announced at a later date.
Sven Quandt, X-raid Team Principal: "We are delighted to be competing in Morocco with such a great line-up. De Mevius and Chicherit finished the Dakar in a sensational second and fourth place. Joao has already clinched several victories this year. He is currently ranked second in the FIA World Baja and leads the Portuguese championship. I can't wait to see our new family member, the X-raid MINI JCW Rally 3.0i, in action in a rally and to gain more experience with it. We would have liked to have entered more vehicles, but due to delivery bottlenecks at some suppliers, we had to limit ourselves to one petrol-powered car.’
Guerlain Chicherit: "My career started with X-raid in the BMW X3 CC. We tested and developed many vehicles together. That was a great time. Later, I tried out various other projects. I have learnt a lot in recent years and X-raid has been extremely successful. But now I'm back again. I think that X-raid can offer me the opportunities to fight for victories.’
Guillaume De Mévius: ‘The start with the X-raid team is a new adventure for me. I am very excited and can hardly wait for the journey to begin. I can certainly still learn a lot from X-raid. Together, we want to achieve victories and top results.’
João Ferreira: ‘The Rallye du Maroc will be my first real rally in a T1+ car. I'm really looking forward to it. I'll do my best and I'm excited to see how I fare against the other top drivers. I'm also looking forward to working with my new team colleagues.’
Pál Lónyai: ‘I am looking forward to driving for X-raid again. The car has been further developed, and I am excited to see how it feels during the pre-race tests. It is always a pleasure for me to come to Morocco. I can't wait for the rally to start.’
Source: X-Raid
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As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.