“A great honor to drive in the ex-Ickx Mercedes 280 GE”
En resumen
J.S.
- Jorg is entering his fourth Dakar Classic as a competitor, but he’s one of the most seasoned figures in the bivouac. His journey with the rally began as a journalist in 2002, giving him a front-row seat to the three different eras of the event -African, South American, and Saudi- and its evolution over time. Nearly 25 years after first stepping onto the rally, his passion remains as strong as ever! He still writes some Dakar stories for a German magazine.
- Unlike most drivers, who either build or acquire a vehicle specifically for Dakar Classic, Jorg Sand already owned his car. A devoted German Mercedes G-Wagon fan, he had meticulously assembled a Jacky Ickx replica back in 2007, never imagining it would one day tackle the Dakar. The launch of the Classic race in 2021 finally gave him the chance.
- He first entered in 2023 and loved the experience, returning in 2024 with higher ambitions and greater expectations. He finished 11th overall and took victory in his category. In 2025, he went even further, securing 7th place overall. He will tackle the 2026 edition fuelled by the same car and passion, but with a new navigator he met during his rookie time in 2022.
J.S.
- Jorg is entering his fourth Dakar Classic as a competitor, but he’s one of the most seasoned figures in the bivouac. His journey with the rally began as a journalist in 2002, giving him a front-row seat to the three different eras of the event -African, South American, and Saudi- and its evolution over time. Nearly 25 years after first stepping onto the rally, his passion remains as strong as ever! He still writes some Dakar stories for a German magazine.
- Unlike most drivers, who either build or acquire a vehicle specifically for Dakar Classic, Jorg Sand already owned his car. A devoted German Mercedes G-Wagon fan, he had meticulously assembled a Jacky Ickx replica back in 2007, never imagining it would one day tackle the Dakar. The launch of the Classic race in 2021 finally gave him the chance.
- He first entered in 2023 and loved the experience, returning in 2024 with higher ambitions and greater expectations. He finished 11th overall and took victory in his category. In 2025, he went even further, securing 7th place overall. He will tackle the 2026 edition fuelled by the same car and passion, but with a new navigator he met during his rookie time in 2022.
O.d.B.
- Onno den Boer’s passion for classic cars started early in his life. So much so that he was already collecting them as a young boy! He began his competitive journey in the late 1990s, participating in numerous classic car rallies, and winning multiple class victories, like in the famous Tulip Rally.
- An old friend, Alexander Wurfbain, invited him to compete in the second Dakar Classic in 2022. They drove a Mercedes G-280 to 10 th place overall, claiming the -86 Low Average category victory. That same year, Jorg Sand, also driving a G-280, took notice and later invited Onno to join him for the 2026 edition.
- One special aspect for the participation of this former finance professional: among more than 220 expected competitors in the Classic category, he will be the sole representative of the Netherlands. Dutch Dakar enthusiasts will undoubtedly follow his performance with great interest.
Ambición
J.S.: “The Dakar Classic is not an easy trip, and the challenges are bigger every year. Finishing seventh in 2025 was an incredible result for us, and we had a lot of fun along the way. The race was brutal and our car performed well in the sand, even though we faced some challenges in the dunes. And having Jacky Ickx with us in the desert for his 80th birthday was truly special. I have a new navigator this year. He’s very experienced, but before thinking about results, we need to find our rhythm together. Of course, after finishing seventh, it’s natural to aim for a Top 10 finish again, but I don’t want to put more pressure than needed on myself. To achieve a new Top 10 would be great, but even a Top 20 finish would be a success. Every year, you try to improve something, so we’ve made a few small modifications. But of course, we can’t make major changes because the car has to stay true to its 1983 design.”
O.d.B.: “I have always been passionate about classic cars, and I started collecting them at a young age. My very first rally was the London to Cape Town in 1998 with a good friend, where we earned a silver medal. In 2022, I took part in the Dakar Classic alongside an old school friend, and we finished first in the pre-1986 class. It was there that I met Jorg Sand, and this year he asked me to navigate for him. I’m immensely looking forward to it. It’s a great honor to navigate the ex-Ickx Mercedes G, and certainly big shoes to fill! Our goal is to achieve a good result in the pre-1986 category. But first of all, I hope to have a good time with all the competitors in the sand!”
