– Preparations in Yanbu completed
– X-raid fields with its full current vehicle line-up
The X-raid team has already been in Yanbu, the starting city of this year’s Dakar, for several days. Ahead of tomorrow’s official start, there was still plenty to do: during the shakedown, the crews made the final adjustments to their race cars. The vehicles of Guillaume de Mévius, Lionel Baud and Rebecca Busi were already on the Arabian Peninsula. The MINI JCW Rally 3.0d of Maria Gameiro, however, was rebuilt at the company headquarters in Trebur following her accident in Dubai. After the shakedown, the administrative and technical checks were next on the agenda.
Even though the past days were anything but quiet, everyone is eagerly anticipating the prologue near Yanbu. After a 41-kilometre liaison, 22 kilometres against the clock await the competitors. The prologue determines the starting order for the first special stage; the recorded times do not count towards the overall classification. Nevertheless, caution is advised, as the organiser has announced demanding navigation.
X-raid desert racers ready for the challenge of Dakar 2026
For the upcoming Dakar, the A.S.O. has selected a route that takes participants less into sand and dunes. Instead, the rally will mainly feature gravel tracks. This shift changes the demands placed on both drivers and vehicles. On three stages, ‘pit stops’ for tyre changes are even permitted. Although these details were only published a few weeks ago, the X-raid race cars are perfectly prepared.
It is what’s inside that counts: even if fans cannot see it directly, a great deal has changed and evolved on the vehicles over the course of the year. Those who look closely will notice that the design of the “wings” on the two MINI desert racers has been slightly modified. The routing along many trees and bushes in recent Dakars had pushed wear to the limit. The ‘wings’ are now less rigid and therefore more durable.
Further changes and developments took place deeper inside the vehicles. Every area – whether drivetrain, electronics, air-conditioning or suspension – was carefully examined. The primary goal was to improve drivability and increase reliability.
Even the smallest has been improved
This naturally also applies to the smallest member of the family: the X-raid Fenic. Here, the focus was on the suspension, which now operates even more reliably. But other areas of the ‘Desert Fox’ have also been further developed.
With this combination of experience, technical development and a versatile vehicle portfolio, X-raid looks confidently towards the upcoming Dakar Rally. When the Dakar starts tomorrow, it will take maximum concentration, reliability and, of course, the necessary portion of luck that is never missing at the Dakar.