- The Merzouga and Erfoud region in Morocco will host the first edition of this event open to classic and modern 4×4 vehicles from 16th to 21st September 2023.
- RallyClassics Africa is born with the aim of becoming the benchmark rally-raid in preparation for the Dakar Classic, with a 5-stage route and approximately 700 kilometres of regularity.
- The participation of more than 20 teams has already been confirmed, including the iconic Seat Toledo Marathon by Seat Históricos, which will return to competition 30 years later.
- This is the new event created by RallyClassics, organizer of the Rally Motul Costa Brava, the Rally Costa Brava Històric by Motul and Porsche Classic Series, among other benchmark events in classic motorsports.
Enjoy, learn and challenge yourself. This is the spirit with which RallyClassics Africa is born. The new event created by RallyClassics will host the first edition in mid-September in Morocco.
RallyClassics Africa is presented as an event designed to attract both teams looking for a test previous to the Dakar Classic or Africa Eco Race; as well as amateur teams who want to enjoy an adventure aboard their 4×4 vehicles with the quality that RallyClassics guarantees.
For Alex Romani, president of Club RallyClassics, „the classic off-road environment is at a time of exponential growth and there is a real demand for regularity events that serve as preparation to the Dakar Classic. RallyClassics Africa is born with the aim of becoming the rally-raid that allows a real preparation for off-road regularity and always faithful to our philosophy of offering competitiveness, safety and fair-play for all”.
An exciting and demanding route
The first edition of RallyClassics Africa will take place between 16th and 21st September based in the town of Merzouga, the gateway to the Sahara Desert, and will end in Erfoud.
The event will consist of 5 stages, with a total of approximately 700 kilometres of regularity and a total of 900 kilometres of itinerary. The route has been created by RallyClassics in collaboration with Josep Maria Servià and Fina Román, two of the greatest experts of the area and with a vast knowledge of the Dakar Rally.
The itinerary has prioritized offering a wide variety of terrains, suitable for 4×4 vehicles of all eras, including original classic vehicles. During the route there will be two dune navigation zones, designed to practice by navigating the famous dunes of Merzouga.
RallyClassics Africa is a regularity rally-raid in which the teams will put themselves to the test in terms of navigation and set-up of the vehicle, with averages of a maximum of 60 km/h.
The roadbook will offer the usual RallyClassics quality, FIA symbology and the route will be controlled with the same technology of international raids, including live tracking GPS.
The rally-raid will have relaxed hours and daily 6-hour stages approximately, designed to have free afternoons to review roadbooks, enjoy the accommodation, go sightseeing in the area or joining routes with buggies and motorbikes. The rally base will be in the best hotels in the area (Hotel Tombouctou and Hotel Xaluca) and there will be an option to spend a night in haimas in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
RallyClassics will offer the teams support with logistics, accommodation, transfers or transport of the vehicle to Morocco.
Open to 4×4 vehicles of all eras
RallyClassics Africa is open to both 4×4 cars and trucks built up to the year 2000 (a category similar to the Dakar Classic), as well as SSV, Proto and modern 4×4 cars, included in the Open category. The goal is to offer a unique experience for off-road drivers and co-drivers of all levels of experience and preparation.
In addition, thanks to two renowned Dakar teams, TH-Trucks Team and Pedregà Team, there is the option of renting a vehicle to participate in RallyClassics Africa.
About twenty teams of 6 nationalities have already signed up for the 1st RallyClassics Africa. Among them are specialists in regularity rally-raids with experience in the Dakar Classic (Dirk Van Rompuy/Chris Goris, Vincent Tourneur/Christian Lambert, Asier Duarte/Luís Barbero, among others) and many amateur teams, either with or without experience in these events.
The participation of Seat Históricos deserves a special mention, which will put the legendary Seat Toledo Marathon back into competition, almost 30 years later, with Antonio Rius/Carles Jiménez at the wheel. It will be a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the brand’s most iconic cars.
Registration is open until the end of August or until reaching the limit, set at 50 teams in this first edition.
All information can be found at www.rallyclassicsafrica.com