Rétromobile 2024: Celebrating the Legacy of the Dakar Rally

This year marks the 48th edition of Rétromobile, and it promises to be a remarkable event, especially with its collaboration with the Dakar Rally. Following the announcement of exhibits dedicated to the centenaries of the MG brand and the UTAC Linas-Montlhéry autodrome, this year’s focus shifts to a celebration of the passion for motorsport, epitomized by the Dakar Rally.

First launched in December 1978 by visionary Thierry Sabine, the Dakar Rally has consistently been a benchmark for both sporting and human endurance, spanning a grueling 9000 kilometers. Over the years, it has become a symbol of modern adventurism, attracting drivers and navigators from across the globe to test the limits of themselves and their vehicles, be they two or four-wheeled.

The 2024 Rétromobile will feature a unique exhibition showcasing iconic vehicles that have left an indelible mark on racing history. Rally-raid legends including Cyril Neveu, Claude Marreau, and André Dessoude will be present, sharing their experiences and answering questions.

Highlights of the exhibition include Thierry Sabine’s XT 500, the bike he was riding when he was lost for three days and four nights during the 1977 Abidjan-Nice rally. Miraculously saved at the last moment, he was inspired to embark on a new adventure: the Paris-Dakar Rally. Also on display will be the Marreau brothers’ 4L, used in the rally’s first race, and Daniel Nollan’s Renault KZ “La Gazelle”, evoking the rally’s early days when it was primarily for amateur drivers. Manufacturers like Peugeot and Porsche, who made their mark in the 1980s and 1990s, will also feature their iconic models such as the Peugeot 405 Grand Raid and the Porsche 959, symbols of their dominance at the time.

In addition, a category for vintage vehicles, Dakar Classic, brings together 174 amateur drivers and navigators in a regularity contest. This initiative showcases the rally’s inclusive spirit, welcoming the vintage motorsport community.

True to its motto “the past always has a future,” Rétromobile also explores the latest technological advancements. This includes showcasing the Audi RS Q e-Tron, symbolizing the Dakar Rally’s third chapter, which, after Africa and South America, has been hosted in the largest country on the Arabian Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, since 2020. The next rally starts on January 5th in Al-‘Ula, Saudi Arabia, and concludes after a prologue and 12 stages on January 19th in Yanbu.

Rétromobile 2024 opens on January 30th at Paris Expo and runs until February 4th, offering an unparalleled journey through the history and future of motorsport.