Categories · 2027 edition
Categories
Sand, engines, sweat… and a challenge for every kind of machine. Seasoned racer, adventurer or classic-car enthusiast: everyone finds their own path, but all share the same destination, Lac Rose.
Race
Bike
The essence of rally-raid.
Riders embody the original spirit of the African adventure. Fully self-reliant on the toughest tracks of the continent, they must combine road-book navigation, physical endurance and mechanical management.
- Open to single and twin-cylinder bikes, as well as electric bikes.
- Support is allowed, but every rider faces the challenge alone.
Groups — technical category
Classes — cumulative
Motul Xtreme Rider — adventure in its rawest form
The race within the race, for riders ready to face everything without outside support. Just you and your bike.
Race
Quad
Agility and physical commitment.
From fast tracks to dune ridges, quad riders experience the rally as close to the terrain as it gets. A demanding category where riding skill and fitness make the difference.
Groups
Race
Auto
The ultimate technical challenge.
4x4s, buggies and off-road vehicles specially prepared for long distances compete here. Navigation, pace management, crew cohesion and mechanical reliability are the keys to success.
- A co-driver is essential to decipher the road-books and avoid the traps of Africa.
- Support allowed, many technical classes depending on the vehicle.
Groups and classes
FIA nomenclature / Appendix J 2026 applies to the 2027 edition (replacing the former groups T1.1 to T1.5, T2.1/T2.2 and EXP).
Race
SSV
Agility serving performance.
SSVs (Side-by-Side Vehicles) are lively, nimble machines, at their best in the dunes and technical sections. The category attracts many newcomers as well as experienced drivers.
- Challenger (T3) — light, agile, built for speed.
- SSV (T4) — sturdier, modified production vehicles.
- SSV Series — production vehicles, light modifications.
Groups and classes
See the supplementary regulations for class details.
Race
Truck
The giants of rally-raid, 100% focused on racing.
A concentrate of power, endurance and strategy. No support role for other competitors here: these giants are entered exclusively to race, with their own standings and trophies. True competition prototypes, able to cross the worst terrain at impressive speed.
- All-wheel drive 4x4 / 6x6, long-range tanks (600 km and more).
- Reinforced cabs, 6-point harnesses, extreme suspension.
- Crew of 2 to 3: driver, co-driver and sometimes an on-board mechanic.
Group and classes
Regularity
Historic
The return of the legends.
Legends never die. This category pays tribute to the early days of African rallying with historic vehicles, cars and trucks from the 1970s up to 2007. More than a race: a celebration of the golden age of the original Dakar.
- Classic vehicles prepared to current safety standards while keeping their period character.
Generations and groups
Raid
Raid Evolution
Adventure with a sportier approach.
Live the myth of African rallying on the race route, without being entered in pure competition. Participants discover navigation, African tracks and the bivouac spirit, in a setting designed to progress and challenge themselves: the ideal stepping stone before taking on the race.
- Perfect for a first experience or to prepare a future race entry.
Eligible vehicles
Raid presentation
Packages, supervision and fees for Raid Evolution and Raid Travel.
Raid
Raid Travel
Adventure without the pressure of the clock.
The same breathtaking landscapes, at your own pace and in a more comfortable, travel-oriented package. Wide open spaces, legendary tracks and immersion in the unique rally atmosphere: a human and unforgettable experience of rally-raid legend.
- Ideal for a first immersion in the world of rally-raid, with no clock.
Eligible vehicles
Ready to take the start?
Entry form, fees and regulations: everything is on the edition page.
