Dakar Rally 2024
The Route
The Team
The Drivers
More About the Drivers
Car #210
A competitor who has participated in more than ten editions of the Dakar Rally
Nani Roma (🇪🇸)
1.9m / 90kg
Sponsors: Samsung Data, Sparco, Bradol, MMR Bikes, Bell
Record: Racing since 1991, Dakar since 1996
Alex Haro Bravo (🇪🇸)
Sponsors: Samsung Data, Motorocasion.com
Record: Dakar since 2015, racing since 2019
Car #225
A competitor who is participating in the Dakar Rally for the first time
Gareth Woolridge (🇿🇦)
1.87m / 87kg
Sponsors: Ford, NWM, Castrol, Wurth
Record: SACCS since 2016, Dakar since 2024
Boyd Dreyer (🇿🇦)
1.71m / 72kg
Sponsors: Ford, NWM, Castrol, Wurth
Record: SACCS since 2016, Dakar since 2024
Summary
The Dakar Rally heads to Saudi Arabia for the fifth time, with the promise of unseen sections and the first-ever 48hr stage. Follow our live summary below throughout the whole of Dakar 2024 to stay up to date with the two Ford teams taking on ‘the toughest off-road race in the world’. All times in GMT.
View more Dakar updates and driver interviews on our Dakar Instagram Highlight here
#210 Standings
#225 Standings
Shakedown – Wednesday, January 3rd 🏁
Pre-Prologue Day – Thursday, January 4th 🏁
Welcoming Cermony: Watch Live from 4:15pm GMT
Prologue – Friday, January 5th 🏁
This is a condensed stage of the Dakar, an exhilarating event where skilled and daring participants will weave between imposing rocks and navigate sandy tracks. The primary mission of the prologue is to decipher the starting order of all the drivers for the intense challenges ahead.
∙Start: AlUla
∙Finish: AlUla
∙Total: 158km
∙Special: 28km
Highlights
4:20am: Starting Podium - Watch Live from 4:20am GMT
10:01am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Prologue Stage
10:04am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Prologue Stage
10:19am Ranger T1+ #210 placed 17th/184 (17m52s) +01:22 from lead
10:43am: Ranger T1+ #225 placed 42nd/184 (18m39s) +02:09 from lead
Day Highlights: Watch
Stage 1 – Saturday, January 6th
The Rally starts in earnest with a new stage which takes the Dakarists over rocky terrain in a race around old volcanoes to the first bivouac, near the town of Al Henakiyah.
∙Start: AlUla
∙Finish: Al Henakiyah
∙Total: 532km
∙Special: 405km
Highlights
4:15am: The race is on!
5:03am: Car race start delayed, start postponed to 5:13am
5:13am: Car race start postponed to 7:15am
5:24am: Car race start delayed due to injured spectator, start scheduled for 8:15am
8:53am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 1
9:20am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 1
Unkown: 80km in, Ranger T1+ #210 suffers flat tire
Unkown: 350km in, Ranger T1+ #225 lower control arm bolt failure (50 minute fix)
1:56pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 1, (4h58m11s) +22:12 from lead
3:33pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finish Stage 1, (5h55m21s) +01:19:22 from lead
Other: Watch Into the Dust E1
Stage 2 – Sunday, January 7th
After tough and technical, Stage 2 provides the first long day’s rallying, with lots of fast stretches of racing, where the riders can test the pace of their machines, although the day is punctuated with a taxing 30km of dune bashing. At the end of the day’s action, they’ll pass by the palace built by the founder of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud.
∙Start: Al Henakiyah
∙Finish: Al Duwadimi
∙Total: 662km
∙Special: 470km
Highlights
6:26am: The race is on!
7:06am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 2
7:56am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 2
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 becomes beached early on in the stage on a dune crest. The car was dug out and had a clean run to the finish
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #210 suffers from boost sensor failure following a big impact. The section was completed with the backup map and the sensor was replaced during the 20 minute road section
12:10pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 2, (4h20m22s) +25:42 from lead
1:24pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finish Stage 2, (4h42m39s) +47:59 from lead
Other: Watch Into the Dust E2
Stage 3 – Monday, January 8th
After a day of sprinting, the first marathon stage of the Dakar 2024, taking in tyre-bursting sections of jagged stones and expanses of sand and dunes. At the end special, the competitors only have two hours to work on their vehicles before they’re locked in parc fermé in the marathon bivouac.
∙Start: Al Duwadimi
∙Finish: Al Salamiya
∙Total: 733km
∙Special: 440km
Highlights
6:40am: The race is on!
7:21am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 3
8:05am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 3
Unkown: Ranger T1+ #225 suffers flat tire
Unkown: By 120km, Ranger T1+ #210 suffers 2x flat tires and depletes the 2 spares
12:07pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finish Stage 3, (4h40m50s) +25:59 from lead
12:34pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 3, (4h48m20s) +33:29 from lead
Other: Watch Into the Dust E3
Stage 4 – Tuesday, January 9th
The second half of the marathon sees a shorter and faster run toward Al-Hofuf, a large city filled with date palms and within the Al-Ahsa Oasis – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the terrain is faster and easier, the course is tough to navigate and any mistakes could be costly. Tomorrow, the Dakarists head into the Empty Quarter…
∙Start: Al Salamiya
∙Finish: Al-Hofuf
∙Total: 631km
∙Special: 299km
Highlights
7:41am: The race is on!
8:42am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 4
8:42am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 4
Unknown: Between 126-156km, Ranger T1+ #225 navigation error (+5 mins)
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 suffered suspension issue
12:18pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 4, (2h50m39s) +14:37 from lead
2:00pm: Service truck arrives for Ranger T1+ #225 with suspension components
2:20pm: Ranger T1+ #225 back on the road
4:56pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finish Stage 4, (8h16m12s) +5:40:10 from lead
Other: Watch Into the Dust E4 Dakar Portraits - Nani Roma
Stage 5 – Wednesday, January 10th
After the vast distances covered so far, a 118km special should be straightforward, but the Dakarists face a long road section to reach the rendezvous, as they journey deep into the forbidding Empty Quarter. Starting before dawn and in action until long after sunset, towering dunes lie before them ready to drain their energy and smash their suspension. Expect average speeds to plummet as the going gets extra tough.
∙Start: Al-Hofuf
∙Finish: Shubaytah
∙Total: 727km
∙Special: 118km
Highlights
10:49am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 5
12:32pm: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 5
12:56pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 5, (1h51m07s) +13:42 from lead
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 finish Stage 5, (2h04m01s) +26:36 from lead
Other: Watch Into the Dust E5
Stage 6 – Thursday, January 11th (up to 4pm) - Friday, January 12th (from 7am)
Another marathon stage, but with a twist or two to neutralise the advantage of the factory teams. Firstly, the stage-opening bikes and cars will follow a different route, making navigation much harder, especially with some waypoints hidden along the track. And the Dakarists only have until 4pm GMT+3 to get as far along the stage as possible before pulling in to one of eight bivouacs along the route. In the bivvy, they’ll have access to minimal provisions and camping materials while their machinery is locked away until morning. They’re then back on track from 7am GMT+3 as they race back to Shubaytah and a rest day.
48hr Chrono Superstage
∙Start: Shubaytah
∙Finish: Shubaytah
∙Total: 727km
∙Special: 532km
Thursday Highlights
5:31am: The Race is on!
6:32am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 6 - Day 1 of the 48hr chrono
7:14am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 6 - Day 1 of the 48hr chrono
1:00pm: Mandatory stop of all racers. Racing commences at 4am tomorrow
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #210 made it to point D, which is 424km of racing in 6 hours and 8 minutes
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 made it to point B, which is 294km, in 5 hours 39 minutes
Other: Watch Into the Dust E6
Friday Highlights
3:20am: The Race is on!
3:20am: Ranger T1+ #210 has 120km left to complete of the 48hr chrono
3:20am: Ranger T1+ #225 has 250km left to complete of the 48hr chrono
5:44am: Ranger T1+ #210 completes 48hr chrono stage (8h18m0s)
Rest Day – Saturday, January 13th
After a marathon stage, an unprecedented two-day special and lots of unseen sections, we’re only at the halfway point. The Bikes and Quads will be flown to the Saudi capital, while the Cars and Trucks face an 800km road section before they can take a break.
∙Start: Riyadh
∙Finish: Riyadh
Stage 7 – Sunday, January 14th
After the rest day, another long road section before a challenging stage that opens with a technical run through a course that snakes through a canyon and finishes with a race back over the dunes before returning to Al Duwadimi.
∙Start: Riyadh
∙Finish: Al Duwadimi
∙Total: 873km
∙Special: 483km
Highlights
7:01am: The Race is on!
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #210 saw their charge towards the top 10 come to an end with engine trouble early in today's stage. They were towed to the Al Duwadimi bivouac where the team found engine damage due to sand ingress in the intake system. A new engine is being fitted, and although the crew will incur a resulting engine penalty, they will be back in action for Stage 8 tomorrow, continuing the team's objective to "finish and learn" at Dakar 2024. They can be exceptionally proud of completing the tough first week of this year's event in 13th place overall on the T1+ Ranger's Dakar debut!
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 were flying today, setting the 11th fastest time at the 39km checkpoint, and passing the 173km mark in 22nd place, just 12:53 off the leader. However, they were caught out by a single caution at 178km that led to the car rolling. Gareth and Boyd had to abandon the stage, but were able to repair the car in order to head back to the main road. They are currently on the 200km journey to the bivouac where the damage will be assessed and the car repaired, with the aim of getting both cars to the end of the event
Stage 8 – Monday, January 15th
Another challenge awaits as soft sand becomes firmer and gives way to rocky, rugged terrain. This time the temptation will be to get the hammer down and push to build a gap or make up lost ground – but that could lead to costly punctures and pauses for repairs.
∙Start: Al Duwadimi
∙Finish: Ha’il
∙Total: 678km
∙Special: 458km
Highlights
8:00am: Ranger T1+ #210 is on the Stage
Unknown: Following yesterday's roll, Ranger T1+ #225 chassis has been cleared by the FIA, proving just how strong the NWM Ranger is. It's being transported to the Ha'il bivouac this morning where the team will complete repairs to the car and get it ready for Stage 9 tomorrow
12:28pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 8, (3h41m27s) +20:24:12 from lead
Stage 9 – Tuesday, January 16th
More tricky navigation over treacherous terrain awaits as the Dakarists race over rocky expanses from Ha’il to AlUla. Getting lost and losing time could be critical to the competitors' campaigns. But while their eyes will be locked on the track ahead of them, this stage will offer some magnificent views of the mountains as they race from one historic city to another.
∙Start: Ha’il
∙Finish: AlUla
∙Total: 639km
∙Special: 417km
Highlights
6:20am: The Race is on!
7:11am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 9
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 9
11:53am: Ranger T1+ #210 finsh Stage 9, (4h37m04s) +19:31 from lead
1:51pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finsh Stage 9, (5h13m05s) +55:32 from lead
Stage 10 – Wednesday, January 17th
The mountainous AlUla region with its famous Elephant Rock provides the backdrop for a demanding and technical obstacle course that will push the competitors’ driving skills to the limit. A good starting position is key here, as opening the stage will be a disadvantage, but the front-runners will not want to sacrifice too much time or position. Expect to see the bigger teams reaching for their big book of tactics.
∙Start: AlUla
∙Finish: AlUla
∙Total: 609km
∙Special: 371km
Highlights
7:11am: The Race is on!
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #210 sufferes gearbox bearing fail on the road section to the start this morning and were unable to start the stage
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 10
12:14pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finsh Stage 10, (3h36m34s) +19:07 from lead
Stage 11 – Thursday, January 18th
As the Dakar heads to the Red Sea, the penultimate stage will drain the reserves of the already exhausted competitors. Stretching nearly 500km, the special runs through barren, rugged terrain where a small mistake could cost a tyre or even wreck a vehicle. Tired and under pressure to push for the finish, this special could seriously shake up the order in every category.
∙Start: AlUla
∙Finish: Yanbu
∙Total: 587km
∙Special: 480km
Highlights
6:51am: The Race is on!
7:57am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 11
7:57am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 11
12:54pm: Ranger T1+ #225 finsh Stage 11, (5h07m06s) +24:06 from lead
1:05pm: Ranger T1+ #210 finsh Stage 11, (5h00m51s) +17:51 from lead
Stage 12 (Finish) – Friday, January 19th
The last stage – a looping route through the rocky desert outside Yanbu – should be a sprint to the line and last year saw an upset as the winner’s trophy was snatched from the hands of Toby Price as Kevin Benavides overhauled the two-time champion in a race to the finish line. Who'll be on the final podiums in 2024? Join us on the start line in the New Year.
∙Start: Yanbu
∙Finish: Yanbu
∙Total: 328km
∙Special: 175km
Highlights
6:36am: The Race is on!
7:00am: Ranger T1+ #210 starting Stage 12
7:11am: Ranger T1+ #225 starting Stage 12
Unknown: Ranger T1+ #210 finish Stage 12, (1h51m17s) +11:36 from lead
8:56am: Ranger T1+ #225 finish Stage 12, (1h46m54s) +7:13 from lead
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Where To Watch
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Sources:
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dakar.com
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