Sam Sunderland - Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2014
© Bauer E./Red Bull Content Pool
Rally

Five desert classics on two and four wheels

We look at the ultimate motorsports events that take on the intense heat and dust of the deserts.
By Jonathan Campkin
3 min readPublished on
Inhospitable terrain, scorching heat and stifling humidity – the desert is the ultimate test of man and machine. That's why, whether it’s on two or four wheels, on-track or off-road, desert racing excites motor racers and fans alike.
So get your sunglasses, sun block and sand gaiters at the ready as we take a look at five of the world’s best desert races.

Dakar Rally

Carlos Sainz performs during the Peugeot 2008 DKR test in Chateau de Lastours, Portel des Corbieres, France on July 25th, 2014. Peugeot returns to Dakar 2015

Carlos Sainz's 2015 Peugeot Dakar challenger

© Flavien Duhamel/Red Bull Content Pool

This 16-day annual rally raid pushes you harder than any other. The challenge: almost 10,000km across punishing desert terrain in soaring temperatures. It takes 11 months of preparation and practise to be physically ready and for the machines to be in race conditon. The 35th meeting earlier this year crossed the world’s biggest salt flat, the Andes mountains and most arid desert with most competitors agreeing that it was the toughest Dakar Rally since the event moved from the original Paris-Dakar course to South America. The good news for them is that this year promises to be every bit as tough.

Rally Morocco

Marc Coma of KTM in action

Marc Coma of KTM in action

© E. Bauer / KTM Images / Red Bull Content Pool

The ‘mini-Dakar’ may be smaller than its South American cousin but the six-day race still packs a hefty punch. The biggest cross-country rally in Africa draws more than 250 of the world's best drivers to race trucks, bikes, quads and cars across 2,000km of North Africa. For many, Rally Morocco is also the final chance to prepare for the Dakar Rally and victory draws a crucial line in the sand, sending a message to the rest of the bivouac that you are the team to beat.

Baja 1000

12 min

Journey to the Baja 1000

Bryce looks back on his season and gets in the zone for the biggest race of his life: the Baja 1000.

Spanish +8

The Baja brings elite racers, skilled amateurs and movie stars together in a high speed race in bikes, cars and ATVs. If the sand traps don’t get you, the silt or steep hills will! Now in it’s 47th year, the 850-mile off-roader along Mexico’s Baja-California Peninsula is one of the world’s most unforgiving desert races.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

One of the jewels on the Formula One calendar since 2009, all eyes will once again be on the Yas Marina Circuit this season as it hosts the all-important final race of the year. The 5.5km track passes from a luxury yacht marina through the five-star Viceroy Hotel and out into the sand dunes. It’s not been too bad for Infiniti Red Bull Racing with Sebastian Vettel securing three wins there. This season, there's more importance than ever before for the final race of the year because the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix carries double championship points, which could decide the world title.
Sebastian Vettel of Germany and Infiniti Red Bull Racing drives during practice for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Don't stray off line - it's dusty!

© Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool

Qatar MotoGP

Marc Marquez races at the Moto Grand Prix 2013 at Losail International Circuit in Losail, Qatar on April 7th, 2013

Marc Márquez and Dani Pedrosa battle in Qatar

© Gold & Goose/Red Bull Content Pool

The 5.4km Losail International Circuit is surrounded by fake grass to prevent sand whipping off the desert and covering the asphalt. That’s not the only interesting fact: in 2008 it hosted the first night race in any major international motorsport series. Known for its series of pulsating left-handers, it always makes for an action-packed race and 2014 was no exception as Marc Márquez got his MotoGP world championship defence off to a flyer with a stunning win from pole.
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Part of this story

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1 Season · 7 episodes