The 6th edition of the Dakar Classic expects around a hundred vehicles in Yanbu for a journey that has sharpened its character with each passing year. The record for kilometres covered will be broken once again, and the competition format introduces “Super Regularity Tests” that will demand great versatility. And above all, endurance.
In the world of vintage, innovation never stops! This minor paradox also applies to the Dakar Classic, which, after five editions, has become a must-attend event and a unique gathering in the world of racing vintage vehicles. By definition, the array of 4x4s, buggies, and trucks that come to Saudi Arabia is distinctive: designed and prepared to tackle the tracks and dunes of Africa in their time, the Porsche 959, Renault R18, and Lada Niva were destined to have a second lease of life in the Saudi deserts, and nowhere else. With routes and categories tailored to the performance and limitations of their vehicles, Dakar enthusiasts and those passionate about
its history find a way to take on an old-school challenge, where competition and adventure reign supreme.
SUPER REGULARITY: A SPICY EXPERIENCE
The 2026 edition has reached a new level, with a slight increase in mileage, particularly for the special stages. But the emphasis on endurance, already observed last January, is further heightened, with, for example, a “regularity test” section covering nearly 200 kilometres and a “navigation test” section of 140 kilometres. In addition, drivers and crews will be evaluated using a brand-new format introduced over several stages with the “Super Regularity Test”, which combines the two main constraints of the discipline: consistency and navigation. Competitors can also expect significantly longer “dune tests”. Endurance on all terrains.
Among the highlights of the 2026 Dakar Classic route, aside from the “Super Regularity Tests,” the 13th and final stage will be dubbed the “Power Stage”, where penalty points will be doubled. A few days earlier, so we can delight in some spectacular photos, the vehicles will set off in a “mass start” on the special stage of the 8th stage.
