Sand, engines, sweat… and a challenge for every type of vehicle.
Whether you're a seasoned racer, an adventurer chasing the ultimate thrill, or a passionate enthusiast of mechanical history, there's a category made for you on the Africa Eco Race.
On the track, everyone finds their own path, but all share the same goal: Lac Rose, Dakar.
- BIKE
Bike: The Essence of Rally-Raid
Motorcyclists embody the original spirit of African adventure. Riding solo across the continent’s most demanding terrain, they must master roadbook navigation, endure extreme physical conditions, and handle mechanical maintenance on their own.
🔹 Category open to single and twin-cylinder motorbikes
🔹 External assistance is allowed, but every rider faces the challenge alone.
Group :450cc +450cc Multicylindre : +300 - 649cc Multicylindre : +650 - 999cc Multicylindre : +1000cc 🛡️ Motul Xtrem Rider Moto – Raw Adventure
The race within the race — the ultimate challenge for riders ready to face it all without any outside assistance.
Just you and your bike. A total immersion in adventure and sporting achievement.
- QUAD
Light, manoeuvrable and robust, they're an ideal alternative for off-road enthusiasts.
✔️ Accepted in the motorbike category with separate classification
- AUTO
The Ultimate Technical Challenge
This category brings together 4x4s, buggies, and off-road vehicles specially prepared for long-distance endurance. Success depends on a mix of precise navigation, pace management, crew cohesion, and mechanical reliability.
🧭 A co-driver is essential to decode the roadbooks and conquer the traps of Africa.
🔧 Assistance is allowed, and multiple technical classes are available depending on the type of vehicle.
Group et class :
T1 T1.+ FIA Thermal Prototype T1.U FIA Alternative Energy Prototype T1.1 FIA 4x4 Petrol T1.2 FIA 4x4 Diesel T1.3 FIA 4x2 Petrol T1.4 FIA 4x2 Diesel T1.5 Score Specification T2 T2.1 Production Off-Road Vehicle (Petrol) T2.2 Production Off-Road Vehicle (Diesel) EXP Prototypes (Cars, Trucks, SSVs) using alternative energy sources
Open Prototypes (Cars, Trucks, SSVs) using alternative energy sources
- TRUCK
The Giants of Rally-Raid — 100% Focused on Competition
The race truck category of the Africa Eco Race is a powerful blend of performance, endurance, and strategy.
Here, there’s no assistance to other competitors: these beasts are entered exclusively to race, with their own classification, their own trophies — and one clear ambition: to win.Trucks Built for Performance
The vehicles entered meet FIA T5 category standards and are fully optimized for off-road racing:
Full-time all-wheel drive (4x4 or 6x6)
High-powered turbo diesel engines (up to 1,000 hp)
Large-capacity fuel tanks to cover stages of over 600 km without refueling
Reinforced cabins with roll cages, racing bucket seats, and six-point harnesses
Extreme suspension systems to absorb shock and conquer sand dunes
These trucks are not service vehicles.
They are full-fledged racing prototypes, capable of tackling the most hostile terrains at impressive speeds.A Crew at the Heart of the Action
Each truck is crewed by 2 to 3 people:
The driver, master of the machine
The co-driver, responsible for precise navigation
And sometimes a mechanic-navigator, ready to handle technical issues mid-stage
Every crew member must demonstrate exceptional physical and mental resilience, as the trucks — just like their drivers — endure the full intensity of the rally.
A Spectacular and Strategic Category
On the tracks, trucks deliver a truly unique show:
They climb dunes like tanks
Bounce over rocky terrain despite weighing over 10 tons
Trail immense clouds of dust in their wake
But beyond the spectacle, the truck category is also highly strategic:
Their fuel range, ruggedness, and ability to handle long stages without external support mean they can sometimes rival top-performing cars on certain stages.The best crews often drive in pairs or close formation, helping each other optimize reliability and consistency over the long haul.
Spectacular, powerful, demanding — race trucks are a pillar of rally-raid history.
At the Africa Eco Race, they compete not as supporters, but as leaders of their own epic journey.
- SSV
L’agilité au service de la performance.
Les SSV (Side-by-Side Vehicle) sont de petits bolides nerveux et maniables, très appréciés dans les dunes et les passages techniques. Cette catégorie attire de nombreux nouveaux venus comme des anciens pilotes reconvertis.
Types of SSVs(See the regulations for detailed technical specifications):
T3 – Lightweight, agile, and built for speed
T4 – More robust, based on modified production models
SSV Series – Production-based models with light modifications
⚙️ More accessible than traditional rally cars, SSVs deliver intense racing sensations at a lower entry threshold.
T3 T3.U Lightweight Prototypes T3.1 Lightweight Prototypes T4 T4.1 Lightweight Prototypes SSV Series SSV.1 Naturally aspirated engine – 999cc SSV.2 Naturally aspirated engine +1000cc / -2050cc SSV.3 Turbocharged engine EXP Prototypes (Cars, Trucks, SSVs) powered by alternative energy sources
- RAID
Adventure Without the Competition
Want to experience the legend of the African rally without the pressure of the stopwatch? The RAID category is made for you.
It follows the same tracks as the race, through breathtaking landscapes — but at your own pace.
🎯 Objective: Learn navigation, manage your vehicle, and immerse yourself in the bivouac atmosphere.
📚 Perfect for a first experience or as preparation for a future competitive entry.➡️ Eligible vehicles: 4x4s, trucks, motorbikes, cars...
- HISTORIC
The Return of Legends
Legends never die.
This category pays tribute to the early days of the African rally by welcoming historic vehicles, both cars and trucks, from the epic eras of the 1970s through to 2005.
More than just a race, it's a celebration of the golden age of the original Dakar.
🔎 Vintage vehicles, prepared according to modern safety standards while preserving their authentic period character.
Group & Classes:
(Insert classifications here as needed based on your structure)
Auto Génération 1 : 1970 - 1986 Génération 2 : 1987 - 1996 Génération 3 : 1997 - 2007 Score : -2007 Truck 1970 - 2007
