While Tomáš Ouředníček would have earned “Legend” status by doing his tenth Dakar Rally in January, he has opted to go to the actual Dakar next month instead by entering the Africa Eco Race.

The AER follows the route previously undertaken by the Dakar Rally from 1979 to 2007, starting in Europe and finishing in Dakar, Senegal. Ironically, Ouředníček’s Dakar debut came in 2009, the first race back after the 2008 edition was canceled and since moved to South America.

“I have never been to Dakar, and reaching it by following in the footsteps of the Dakar Rally founder Thierry Sabine has always been my big dream,” Ouředníček explained. “The Africa Eco Race is the only intercontinental competition that preserves the original values of camaraderie, friendship, and adventure.”

Ouředníček had been doing the Dakar as a driver since 2016, making six starts. He finished 39th overall in the 2024 race after a two-year absence. His Toyota Gazoo Racing Czech team was supposed to debut in 2023 but was delayed a year due to red tape involving the parent Toyota company.

2024 marked his third Dakar in Saudi Arabia. While he did not dislike the country, which began hosting the Dakar in 2020, he felt the product was getting stale.

“In Africa, on the other hand, we have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the original marathon competitions,” he continued. “I love Africa, and the chance to race here has always attracted me. In Africa, I achieved my greatest victory ever at the Morocco Desert Challenge, and I always enjoy coming back.”

His usual navigator David Křípal has opted to race the 2025 Dakar Rally on Aleš Loprais’ truck. Thus, Ouředníček has enlisted Lukáš Barták’s services for the AER; the two did the Baja Morocco together in September, where they finished 33rd.

The Africa Eco Race starts on December 28 and runs through January 12, overlapping with much of the Dakar Rally. Ouředníček is one of six drivers entered in the T1 class, company that includes fellow Dakar veteran and Hilux driver Magdalena Zajac.

Featured image credit: Frederic Le Floc’h / DPPI