The days leading up to the Dakar are a mix of tension and anticipation. On one hand, there’s still plenty to do: preparing vehicles, shakedown runs, technical inspections, and administrative checks. On the other hand, everyone is eagerly awaiting the start of the desert rally. Tomorrow, the wait will finally be over: Dakar 2025 begins with a 29-kilometer prologue, marking the sixth edition of the rally in Saudi Arabia.
At the end of November, X-raid, along with other European participants, sent their service vehicles from the port of Barcelona on their journey to Saudi Arabia. On December 30, the vehicles were received in Jeddah and transported to the starting camp in Bisha.
Time was tight for the final preparations. The four MINI JCW Rally 3.0i, the two MINI JCW Rally 3.0d, and the two X-raid Fenic vehicles underwent final checks before the crews completed their last test kilometers during the shakedown. Simultaneously, the official inspections took place: vehicles and racing gear were checked, and the teams had to go through administrative controls. Additionally, the ASO held an official briefing, which all racing crews attended.
Now, all preparations are complete, and both crews and vehicles are ready to start. Tomorrow’s prologue will take the drivers over a 29-kilometer sand and gravel track featuring several technical sections.
Quotes from the team
Guillaume de Mévius (#222 MINI JCW Rally 3.0i): “We’ve had three days of preparations behind us now. We managed to take care of everything related to the new car: testing, making adjustments, and talking with the engineers. I’m happy with the past few days, but now I’m looking forward to the start. The prologue may be short, but it gives you the chance to get into the rhythm of the rally.”
João Ferreira (MINI JCW Rally 3.0d): “Preparations are finished, and tomorrow the real action finally begins. The prologue isn’t very long, but of course, we’ll try to secure a good starting position for the first long stage the day after tomorrow. That stage will cover more than 400 kilometers.”
Vladas Jurkevicius (#241 MINI JCW Rally 3.0i): “Yesterday, we completed the administrative and technical checks. This morning, we did the shakedown. We ran a few laps, tested different setups on the car, and made sure it’s in perfect condition. For the rest of the day, we’ll work on our technical skills, but we’re really looking forward to the prologue!”
Line-Up Dakar Rally 2025
#202 Guerlain Chicherit / Alex Winocq – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i
#217 Denis Krotov / Konstantin Zhiltsov – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i
#222 Guillaume de Mévius / Mathieu Baumel – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i
#224 Lionel Baud / Lucie Baud – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d
#240 João Ferreira / Filipe Palmeiro – MINI JCW Rally 3.0d
#241 Vladas Jurkevicius / Aisvydas Paliukenas – MINI JCW Rally 3.0i
#315 Annett Quandt / Annie Seel – Fenic
#340 Maria Gameiro / José Marques – Fenic
