2024 Dakar Rally: Loony dunes

Dakar Rally, Saudi Arabia, January 5-19

The defending winners shocked the rally world by switching allegiance for this year’s Dakar. Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel will leave Toyota after seven years in search of a third consecutive victory elsewhere. They will form an all-star line-up driving the Prodrive-built Hunter T1+ alongside Sébastien Loeb, but will compete under a different banner to the nine-time World Rally champion.

Al-Attiyah is gunning for a sixth overall victory in the Dakar, while the Qatari driver and Baumel could also make history at this upcoming edition of the event. They are striving to become the first pair since Pierre Lartigue and Michel Perin in 1996 to win three straight Dakars, which, in 2024, is visiting Saudi Arabia for the fifth time. Expect it to continue. Championship director David Castera confirmed they will continue in the Middle East until 2029, which marks 50 years since Dakar’s inaugural running.

But for the next edition drivers face a 3000-mile route beginning in the ancient oasis city Al-Ula before venturing cross-country to coastal city Yanbu. Organisers say 60% of stages are new, including the gruelling 48-hour Chrono. This will test drivers like no other. Run under marathon conditions across the Rub’ al Khali desert, teams will have minimal access to resources.

Elsewhere, Ford aims to challenge its Prodrive rivals. The American automotive giant is making its first works-based assault on the Dakar using a T1+ version of the new Ranger pick-up.

However, it is not all about cars. Competition is fierce on two-wheels where reigning winner Kevin Benavides could make it three victories in four years. His pursuit, though, will be a challenge after a difficult year in which he broke his wrist.

But whatever happens, it promises to be an exciting two weeks as the world’s most demanding rally always delivers a thrill.

Middle East Trophy – Kuwait 12 Hours
Kuwait Motor Town, Kuwait, December 8-9

European racing is absent at this time of year, but action is fierce in the Middle East. The Kuwait 12 Hours will kickstart the Middle East Trophy’s sophomore year, which concludes in Abu Dhabi in January. Touring cars will race around a three-and-a-half-mile track.

Intercontinental GT Challenge – Gulf 12 Hours
Yas Marina Circuit, UAE, December 8-10

An all-star line-up will bid for the Gulf 12 Hours. Its 13th running concludes the 2023 Intercontinental GT Challenge, a championship that has been closely fought this year by Mercedes and BMW. For the first time, the race will just be open to GT3 cars.

South Yorkshire Stages
Penistone, South Yorkshire, December 10

More than 100 rally cars will gather in the South Yorkshire countryside for a closed road rally near the Peak District, hosted by one of the UK’s oldest motor clubs.
It is a four-stage rally with runnings before and after lunch.

Boxing Day Classic Drive & Ride In Day
Lakeland Motor Museum, Cumbria, December 26

The Lakeland Motor Museum continues the Christmas celebrations with a Boxing Day meet up. Burn off the turkey by visiting an event that last year featured around 100 vehicles from across the decades. Participating drivers and passengers will also receive discounted admission to the museum that day.

Rixy Stages
STANTA, Thetford, Norfolk, December 30

A December of incredible UK rallies comes to a close with the Rixy Stages. Held at an army training base, drivers face eight stages where more than 50 cars have been entered, from Subarus to BMWs. The event is named after rally driver Ian Rix, who died in 2023.

MORE EVENTS

Dec 2-5 Le Jog – Lands End to John O’Groats
Dec 10 Off The Rails classic cars – Crewe
Dec 17 Christmas Wrapping & Classic
Car Meet – Melton Mowbray
Dec 29 Turkey Run Stages – Londonderry