The 2025 Dakar Rally will return to Saudi Arabia for its 47th edition, featuring a challenging 4,780-mile route with over 3,100 miles of special stages from January 3-17.

The event begins in Bisha and introduces several key innovations, including a 48-hour "chrono" stage where competitors must camp overnight in the desert when darkness falls. This edition marks the first time that 45% of timed sections will run on separate courses for motorcycles and cars, enhancing safety and navigation challenges.

Five stages will feature distinct routes for FIM and FIA vehicles, reducing dangerous overtaking situations and forcing car co-drivers to navigate without following motorcycle tracks. The rally's latter stages will test competitors in Saudi's Empty Quarter's demanding sand dunes.

Rally director David Castera has confirmed that the event will comprise a prologue followed by 12 stages. The separate course design allows cars to start at sunrise, minimizing nighttime desert driving risks.

The entry list features 340 competitors, headlined by W2RC champions Ross Branch and Nasser Al Attiyah in the FIM and FIA categories respectively. This marks Saudi Arabia's sixth time hosting the prestigious rally raid event.

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