Since a catastrophic leg injury in December 2023 that’s left his riding career in doubt, Matthias Walkner has been trying his hand behind the wheel of race cars. In July, he’ll be a competitive driver for the first time when he enters the Ennstal-Classic in a 1972 Mini Cooper Rally.

The 2018 Dakar Rally winner, Walkner was testing for the 2024 edition when he crashed and was thrown off his bike. The accident was so substantial that it destroyed his left tibia and fibula, ground his ankle into a near-powder, and nearly severed the arteries in his foot. In a painful treatment process that spanned six operations, his leg was rebuilt using pelvic bone and thigh tissue while also dealing with swelling and infections. After two months in the hospital, he was transferred to a rehab center.

In February, he completed rehab and started riding again in February for the first time since the crash. It’s still in the air whether he will be able to race on two wheels again, and Walkner has stated he’d be open to driving if he feels his leg can’t hold up on a bike. Many successful riders have made the switch to four wheels to continue their careers, including Walkner’s former Red Bull KTM teammate and fellow Dakar champion Toby Price; Kevin Benavides, who’s also won Dakar for KTM, is considering the move as well after announcing his retirement.

In the meantime, the Austrian has been dabbling in various driving opportunities. Last month, he hosted a driving experience in a Can-Am Maverick around the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo’s Iron Road Prologue course; Walkner also rode his bike on the track.

Come July, he’ll be trying something new. His ride is an original right-hand drive Mini Cooper previously owned by a Welsh rally driver.

“For me, it’s something truly special to be part of the Ennstal-Classic, and even more so in a Mini Cooper Rally race car, a real classic that has won the Monte Carlo Rally three times. The combination of driving challenge, beautiful scenery, and genuine enthusiasm makes this event unique,” said Walkner.

Scheduled for July 16–19, the Ennstal-Classic is a vintage rally held in Austria.

Featured image credit: Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool