Dacia Sandrider Ready for Competitive Debut at Rallye du Maroc

With more than 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) of timed stages, the rally will test drivers against a backdrop of rocky terrain, massive dunes, and intense heat.

Dacia's Lineup: Three Sandriders, Three Star Drivers

Dacia is entering three Sandrider vehicles in the competition, with each car featuring a high-profile team:

#200: Driven by rally legend Nasser Al-Attiyah, alongside co-driver Edouard Boulanger.

#212: Piloted by Cristina Gutiérrez with Pablo Moreno navigating.

#219: Manned by World Rally Championship (WRC) icon Sébastien Loeb and co-driver Fabian Lurquin.

Speaking ahead of the rally, Loeb remarked, “This event will serve as a full-scale test, almost like a live rehearsal. Our primary goal is to ensure everything is functioning perfectly. If any issues arise, this is our chance to address them before the Dakar Rally. Of course, securing a good result would be an added bonus.”

A Crucial Moment for Al-Attiyah and Boulanger

For Al-Attiyah and Boulanger, the stakes are particularly high as they compete in the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, with Morocco serving as the decisive round. Al-Attiyah currently leads the championship standings by 25 points, while Boulanger holds a 20-point advantage in his respective category. A strong finish in Morocco could secure their titles before heading into the Dakar Rally.

Preparations for the Dakar Rally

As the team gears up for the prestigious Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia in less than three months, Tiphanie Isnard, team principal of the Sandriders, emphasized the importance of this event. “The Rallye du Maroc is the perfect opportunity for us to gain more experience and fine-tune everything we’ve developed during testing. Our team has shown incredible dedication, and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts,” Isnard commented.

The Dacia Sandrider is poised to be a standout in the rally scene, and fans eagerly await its performance in the challenging Moroccan terrain.

Key Points:

Event: Rallye du Maroc, October 6th

Distance: 2,468 km (1,500 miles) across Morocco

Dacia's Entries: Three Sandriders (#200, #212, #219)

Drivers: Nasser Al-Attiyah, Cristina Gutiérrez, Sébastien Loeb

Championship Implications: Al-Attiyah and Boulanger aim to clinch their FIA World Rally-Raid titles

Focus: Preparing for the 2024 Dakar Rally

With the combination of top-tier drivers, cutting-edge machinery, and a well-prepared team, the Dacia Sandrider is set to make waves at the Rallye du Maroc. Stay tuned to see how this competitive debut unfolds!