Dacia has begun the run-up to the Dakar 2025, when it will make its official debut at the most famous rally raid in the world, carrying out the first series of tests with the new Sandrider, the car created to chase victory in the Car class.
After the shakedown carried out at the Mikbrook Proving Ground, the car carried out the first 4 days of testing at Sweet Lamb, in Wales, to begin testing the surfaces much more similar to those it will find in the Middle East from 3 January 2025 onwards.
Subsequently the Dacia team moved to France, to Chateau de Lastours, for the second 4 days of testing in which all three official crews had the opportunity to try the Sandrider and the BFGoodrich tyres.
The first to try the Sandrider was the Iberian Cristina Gutierrez, splendid winner in the 2024 Lightweight Prototypes class and now Dacia starter in the major Auto class.
Sebastien Loeb, Dacia Sandrider
Photo by: Dacia
The Spaniard tested the car for 2 days in Wales, before leaving the wheel to Sébastien Loeb. The 9-time world champion continued development until the end of the 4-day test, while Nasser Al-Attiyah, multiple winner of the Dakar, made his debut on the Sandrider at Chateau de Lastours, before leaving the wheel to Sébastien Loeb and Cristina Gutierrez.
The team was satisfied with the first 8 days of testing, with the car showing very few problems from a technical point of view, so it was possible to proceed with development without any hitches. The next development session will be held from 28 June to 5 July on the dirt roads of Morocco.
“We carried out a series of initial tests before traveling to Morocco for the first session in a real rally-raid environment. So far, everything has gone extraordinarily well, without any major problems,” said Philip Dunabin, technical director of the Dacia team.
“We managed to validate all the basic elements of the engine, we worked much more than expected on the suspension settings and the transmission settings were revisited regarding the differential. The suspensions were thoroughly examined, not only during the tests carried out at Sweet Lamb, but also in the Château de Lastours trials”.
Sebastien Loeb, Dacia Sandrider
Photo by: Dacia
“Now we still have a lot of work to do to make the final changes and make sure the car is ready for competitions. During the tests we were able to see that there are still some problems with the accommodation of the crew in the car which we have to improve, but we should make it to the next session in Morocco.”
“In any case, the general feeling is very positive. Now, everyone is working hard to prepare Morocco and we can’t wait to get there to continue preparations for the Dakar.”
The pilots’ comments after the first tests
Nasser Al-Attiyah: “The first time I picked up Sandrider was last week on the crumbly terrain of Château de Lastours and I was really impressed. I found it easy to drive, fast and high-performance. We traveled 270 kilometers on the first day and the same on the second. There were no problems and it was a great pleasure to drive. He bodes very well for the next tests and I can’t wait to go to Morocco”.
Sébastien Loeb: “The tests went very well. I did one day in the UK and two in France. We worked on the suspension and differential to find the right balance with the car and I’m really satisfied with the result. The engine ran great right from the start and we had no problems with the car. It’s the first time I’ve driven a car that’s already in place right from the first laps and I can’t wait to continue testing in Morocco.”
Cristina Gutierrez: “Having the opportunity to see the DACIA Sandrider in action and travel my first kilometers on board was incredible. I feel very comfortable on Sandrider, which made it easier for me to adapt to the T1+ category, which is quite different from the T3 category I had been riding in so far. There are still many days of important testing left, but overall we are very satisfied with the team’s work. We couldn’t ask for more from the car at this stage of development and I am very impressed with the level of performance of the DACIA Sandrider.”
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