Nicolas Fantin and his son Lucien Fantin will race the 2026 Dakar Classic in a 1978 Lada Niva 4×4, competing as Pom’Family Racing. The car is currently on display at Retromobile in Paris.

The Fantins bought the Niva in early 2024. Although formerly owned by fellow racing enthusiasts, multiple changes had to be made after purchase such as installing a new engine and gearbox. Christophe Fay, “the European Niva specialist”, and Normandy Retro Prestige boss Éric Grimaldi are involved in rebuilding the Niva; the latter’s company restores and provides vintage cars for French films and television series, and has also been involved with productions like Dunkirk and Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

The team is operating on a budget of about €70,000, though donations are being accepted as well through an Ulele fundraiser.

“We always said that we would do the Dakar,” Nicolas told Actu.fr last May. “It’s a source of pride to do it together. The Dakar Classic formula suits us perfectly because we love vintage cars, and I want to rediscover the Dakar spirit that I knew when I was younger.”

“We have to maintain an average speed. This gives everyone equal chances. In the Dakar Classic, we truly return to the spirit of the early Dakar, with mutual assistance. The atmosphere is fraternal. When a team has a problem, we stop to help them, and the race officials adjust our time accordingly.”

EcoTree, a European forestation initiative, is a team sponsor. As part of their collaboration, Pom’Family Racing will calculate the carbon footprint from entering the race, then strive to offset the effects by donating to reforestation programs.

Featured image credit: Pom’Family Racing