This will be the fourth time that the FIM and FIA world titles are awarded at the end of a common season-long series - a format that provides fertile ground for enough tales of redemption, twists and turns to write a high-stakes melodrama. Manufacturers, riders, drivers and co-drivers are locked in a fight for the spoils, never quite safe from the vagaries of fate. The 2025 edition, which will get under way in Saudi Arabia, is broadening its horizons by welcoming new stakeholders that epitomise the esire to keep the action going long after the end of the Dakar.
AFRICA FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
For competitors in every class, hitting the ground running with a win at the Dakar is the best way to lay the foundations for a solid W2RC performance. However, recent history has taught us that nothing is set in stone in mid-January.
Nasser Al Attiyah, for example, went home almost empty-handed after withdrawing from the Dakar, but he still managed to extend his unbeaten streak in the W2RC with his third title on the trot, which he added to his collection of five FIA World Cup trophies. In other words, expect the battle to rage on at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in February. Next, the series will make its first stop in South Africa, where the Botswanan Ross Branch will be racing almost in his own backyard in his role as the 2024 reigning champion.
The Portuguese round has been moved to September, where it will play an even more decisive role as the fourth of the five legs that make up the championship, right before the traditional finale at the Rallye du Maroc. To put things into perspective, Yasir Seaidan snatched victory from the jaws of defeat here last October, taking the SSV title by just two points!
ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE
“The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, one of the world’s oldest rally raids, will push the competitors to their limits, create lifelong memories, and immerse them in the beauty and extreme harshness of the Empty Quarter—one of the planet’s most unforgiving oceans of sand—in the most beautiful way. Adventure awaits, legends are forged here!”.
S. E. Khalid Ben Sulayem – Président of the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO).
SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI RALLY
“Competitors will experience the unspoiled beauty of South Africa. All administration and the bivouac will be hosted at the world-renowned Sun City Resort-offering luxury and adventure in equal measure. South Africa: Unmatched hospitality, breathtaking landscapes,
and the experience of a lifetime awaits the competitors!”.
Archie Rutherford – CEO of the South African Safari Rally.
BP ULTIMATE RALLY-RAID PORTUGAL
“Portugal is a very enthusiastic fan of motorsport. After the enormous success in the first edition of the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal, we are looking forward to watching the crowd of fans throughout our country supporting the W2RC. The new season promises lots of emotion and an unique show.”
Carlos Barbosa – Automóvel Club de Portugal President.
RALLYE DU MAROC
“Once again, it is with great pleasure that the Rallye du Maroc organisation, together with all Moroccans, gets back to work to prepare the 2025 W2RC final. We are going to offer new special stages and more classic sectors for the pleasure of everyone, amateurs and professionals alike.”
David Castera – Director of Rallye du Maroc
THREE YEARS OF W2RC IN FIGURES
1 - THE ARGENTINIAN VALENTINA PERTEGARINI became the first female W2RC champion when she claimed the 2024 co-drivers’ title in the Challenger class, following in the footsteps of the co-drivers Tina Thorner (2009) and Andrea Peterhansel (2019), who had preceded her in the old FIA World Cup.
2 - ROKAS BACIUSKA was the first W2RC champion to be crowned in two different categories (SSV in 2022 and 2023 and Challenger in 2024).
3 - Toyota Gazoo Racing (FIA) and Honda (FIM) won the MANUFACTURERS’ TITLES for the third time in a row.
10 - LUCIANO BENAVIDES and TOSHA SCHAREINA are joint record holders for the most
W2RC stage wins in a given season in the motorbike category.
40 - THE STAGE HUNTER. Nasser Al Attiyah has won 40 out of the 98 that he has taken part in, for a 41% success rate. He has won at least one special in each of the 14 W2RC rounds held to date.
95 - THE GRAND TOTAL of stage winners since the inception of the W2RC in 2022 (all classes combined).
100 - The W2RC marked its 100 TH FIA AND FIM STAGE at the last Rallye du Maroc. The counter has since got up to 104.
