HERO-ERA has announced that it is heading to Dakar, the most famous name in long-distance rallying, as it opens entries for Sahara Challenge 2027.
The historic destination ensures the event is "rejuvenated" for its fifth running, according to Tomas de Vargas Machuca at the announcement.
John Spiller, co-driver for Saeed Al Hajri in Prodrive's rallying debut, is charged with laying down the route, which takes seasoned competitors from Lisbon in Portugal to Dakar via Tangiers and Marrakech.
The rally is expected to follow the coast through the Moroccan Sahara, which the organisers have stressed to be the safest way to navigate the region.
The panel, with Dubai-based Spiller dialled in to Bicester Motion-based de Vargas Machuca, competition director Guy Woodcock and hospitality director Eleonora Piccolo, was full of wonder when discussing the stops on the 18-day rally. "The terrain develops and the culture develops," said Spiller, adding: "The people of Morocco are the most charming in the world."
Two full weeks will be spent crossing the country, having landed in Africa at Tangiers in September 2027, over the High Atlas mountains after passing the vast Bin El Ouidane dam. The testing rally will offer just one non-driving day, in Marrakesh, before aiming for Agadir and Dakhla in the Western Sahara.
Returning to such sparse a location means two nights will be spent in the same bivouacs as those used on the modern Dakar. "The route decides where you'll be," said Picollo when outlining the breadth of accommodation to be expected. "There is great variety to conquer the wilderness."
Life under canvas is perfect preparation for the Peking to Paris, which returns in 2028, and completing the Sahara Challenge will permit entry into the continent-crossing rally. "If you don't like the 18 days of this," said de Vargas, "you're not going to like the 60 days of the P2P."
"There will be long days," added Guy Woodcock. "If you've done these sort of events before, you'll know what to expect."
de Vargas revealed that the Peking to Paris is sold out, "to all intents and purposes," depending on committed competitors satisfying the relevant entry requirements. The Gaucho Trail, meanwhile, is oversubscribed after selling out within two weeks. The reserve list is longer even than the entry.
Early booking is therefore recommended by HERO-ERA, and rewarded with a 5% discount in the first week. Those under 35 get a major saving of 30% – "We don’t have a 30% on this," explained de Vargas. "That’s our way to subsidise and promote this to future generations."
Sahara Challenge 2027 takes place from 19 September 2027 to 9 October. Visit https://www.hero-era.com/ for more information.