Introduction

Dear rally fans

The 11th edition of the Morocco Desert Challenge in 2019 did not go unnoticed. The adventure that started in 2008 in the desert of Libya grew into a household name in the rally world with a spectacular 11th edition in 2019 as the pinnacle. We were all set to continue that trend with 2020 edition until COVID-19 put a stop to that. The world went into lockdown 3 weeks before the start of the rally. Also in 2021 and 2922 the circumstances are not yet favorable and we are forced to postpone the rally yet again. Fasten your seatbelts though, because 2023 will be the year of the Morocco Desert Challenge!

Dreams, passion and persistency

Organising a rally doesn’t start with a financial plan, but with a dream. This dream started more than ten years ago in the south-Libyan desert. The feeling among the racers was good from the very beginning and after a few years, the organisation functioned like a well-oiled machine. Unfortunately the political situation was not always easy: diplomatic incidents, wars and financially difficult years didn’t make it easy for us. But thanks to the big moral support of a constantly growing group of participants, we kept on going. Is this not the whole idea behind desert racing: never give up, withstand the hardships, always keep on looking for ways to go further, wherever necessary with the help of your friends?

Adult rally

After Libya and Tunisia we arrived in Morocco in 2013. This new host country –a safe haven with a good infrastructure- allowed us to expand the rally to its current size: Africa’s biggest and most beautiful cross-country rally-raid, with more than 1000 participants (racers & mechanics), a large organisation team of 200 people, perfect roadbooks, navigation with the GPS Unik by ERTF and –with 2 helicopters & the Iritrack system- safety is a main priority.

Rally sport, team spirit & good vibes

And yet, despite the high level of the race, there’s still a big difference with the FIA/FIM races and the world’s largest rally. Team spirit and camaraderie are values which are extremely important to us. It’s the amateurs and hobby riders who made our rally big and the atmosphere that comes with it, these are things we would like to keep.

Unique concept

Becoming the fastest growing rally-raid in the world, is not something which happens overnight. It’s something you have to deserve! Every edition has to be different, renewing and better. Since 4 years we offer the “coast to coast” route, crossing nearly the entire country; every day a new scenery and 3 years ago we introduced the “0” (zero) KM liaison concept, unique in the world of rally-raid.
Also in 2023 we’ll have these features, combined with new routes and a new prologue in a unique location, which means 8 days of racing for the same price.

Anniversary edition full of surprises

And yes, our 10 years anniversary meant "a lot of fiesta”. But that's not finished: also in 2023 we guarantee you a spectacle on the racetrack, but also every night in the bivouac. Needless to say we will not reveal all the details yet, but I do promise you that also the 12^th edition will be an unforgettable one. All the extra's (the cosy bar, the lovely bar-ladies, the parties, the DJ's, etc.) will be the new standard. And so much more ... Again it will be an edition not to miss! Hopefully you'll be part of it!

With sportive regards

Gert Duson, Race Director