Dakar Classics are Racing this Year at the 2021 Dakar
The classics are back! Thirty vintage vehicles from the 80s and 90s will start at the inaugural edition of the Dakar Classic - it’s own vehicle class. The Dakar Rally is synonymous with being the longest and most grueling off-road race in the world. The 43rd Dakar rally will be held in Saudi Arabia.
For years to come, the Dakar Classic Class will be composed of the incredible and legendary off-road machined that made the rally so special. The vintage class will have a tailored route of their own that is parallel with the Dakar route to keep in mind the limitations of these vintage vehicles,
Dakar also mentioned that the vehicles would get their own remote bivouac as well.
"The 20th-century vehicles will also relive the minimalist atmosphere of the African bivouacs of the 1980s during the Sakaka marathon stage, where a remote bivouac will be set up especially for them. Spartan accommodation, the warmth of a camp fire and old memories await…
We love old rally cars and love that the Dakar rally has made a vehicle class specifically to celebrate the historic cars the once roamed the deserts.
Let's take a look at a few unique cars that have once raced in the Dakar rally.
Lamborghini LM002
In 1996 a Lamborghini LM002 was entered in Dakar in the Prototype category. It was once owned by Lucy Mimran, the ex-wife of then Lamborghini owner Patrick Mimran. Due to its massive size and vehicle broke many parts during the rally. By the end of it the team through more than 24 shock absorbers and had to withdraw from the race due to a lack of spare parts.
Mitsubishi Pajero
In 1985 Nikon liveried Mitsubishi Pajero won the Paris-Dakar in the hands of driver Patrick Zaniroli, with Andrew Cowan coming home in second place in another Pajero ahead of a Toyota 60 Series LandCruiser in third. The Pajero would go on to victorious another 11 years up until their last win in 2007. The Pajero is a force to be reckoned with.
Porsche 959
The 959 was one of the most technically advanced road cars of its time, being Porsche's halo car; they decided to show it off and race it in the 1986 Dakar Rally and finished 1st.
While the 959 is not racing this year the Porsche 953 Rally Car is making its return fully suited in its Rothmans Livery.
Nissan Patrol
The Fanta livery Nissan Patrol has an offroad pedigree that is similar to the Land Cruiser, but we never got them here in the US. In 1987 it took victory in the diesel category, and it was the first diesel car to ever finish in the race's overall top 10, taking ninth spot.
Rolls Royce Corniche 4WD
In 1981 Thierry de Montcorgé and Jean-Christophe Pelletier wanted to go race Dakar in a Rolls Royce, but obviously, a 4WD version did not exist. So they did what any reasonable human would do, swap in a Land Cruiser chassis on it and a Chevy v8.
