Dakar Rally News: Ali Oubassidi Dominates Rallye du Maroc, Eyes Dakar Debut in 2026
Rallye du Maroc, October 2023
After a commanding performance at the Rallye du Maroc, Moroccan driver Ali Oubassidi is setting his sights on making his Dakar Rally debut in 2026. Oubassidi, who competes in the SSV category for the Africa Rallye Team, dominated the Open SSV class at the prestigious Moroccan event, winning four out of five stages and finishing nearly two and a half hours ahead of his closest rival, Marian Andreev.
“I am so happy to win the Open SSV category in this twenty-fifth edition of the prestigious Rallye du Maroc,” said Oubassidi. “It was not easy, but we remained focused until the last kilometre and were able to win the first Moroccan title in the rally raid.”
The Rallye du Maroc, which took place just weeks after Oubassidi’s participation in the RallyClassics Africa historic rally, proved to be a true test of his abilities. The navigation was particularly demanding, but the Merzouga native’s familiarity with the region’s terrain gave him a valuable advantage.
“The navigation was much more demanding than usual and much tighter,” Oubassidi explained. “I remained focused until the last kilometre, determined not to rest on my laurels, and hamdulillah we were able to win the first Moroccan title in the rally raid.”
With the Dakar Rally’s move to Saudi Arabia, the Rallye du Maroc has become an increasingly important event for competitors looking to prepare for the grueling challenge that lies ahead. Oubassidi’s dominant performance at the Moroccan event has put him in a strong position to potentially make his Dakar debut in 2026, where he would be competing in the SSV category in his Can-Am Maverick X3.
As the head of Merzouga Desert, Oubassidi is no stranger to the world of cross-country rallying. His company organizes tours of the Merzouga region, which has become a popular hotspot for these types of events. His intimate knowledge of the terrain has undoubtedly contributed to his success in the Rallye du Maroc.
With his sights set on the Dakar Rally, Oubassidi’s achievement at the Rallye du Maroc is sure to earn him the attention of rally enthusiasts and motorsport fans alike. As he looks ahead to his potential Dakar debut in 2026, all eyes will be on this rising Moroccan talent as he aims to make his mark on the world’s most prestigious cross-country rally.
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