Élodie and Jonathan Metge are not giving up. 12 days after putting it on hold, the siblings announced they will resume their project to compete in the 2026 Africa Eco Race in memory of their dad René.

Rather than a Porsche 959 like originally planned, they will drive a Range Rover V8 designed after what René Metge drove to victory in the 1981 Paris–Dakar Rally.

“The good fairies of Rally Raid have gathered around us. We are very moved to announce that our project is reborn,” reads a Thursday statement from the Metges. October 23 would have been their father’s 84th birthday.

“Differently, yes, but with the same passion. One goal: to pay tribute to our father.”

Since January, the Metges had been set on racing a Porsche based on the 959 with which René won the 1986 Dakar. Although they got the support of Nantes Prestige Autos, who will also be at the AER in January, they couldn’t secure the budget to continue.

A Range Rover, on the other hand, is more affordable. René Metge made his Dakar debut at the inaugural race in 1979 with one, then scored his first of three victories in 1981 in a Team VSD Range Rover. Sponsored by the VSD magazine, Metge’s Range Rover was prepared by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and nearly retired in the closing stretch with a gearbox failure, but ultimately reached the finish.

While the Range Rover is less of a financial burden, Élodie and Jonathan still need to afford the trip. In total, they expect th project to cost roughly €43,350: €10,600 for prepping the Range Rover, €14 thousand for an assistance truck and mechanic, €10 thousand for logistics and vehicle transport, €3,550 for the team such as lodging and clothes, €3,300 for media, and €1,900 for gas.

“Of course, the timing is tight as is the budget,” the Metges continued, “but when you have already done rallying, you know that nothing is impossible, especially with mutual aid and solidarity.”

The Metges have launched a fundraiser in partnership with Fondation Arthritis.

Featured image credit: 4×4 Magazine #134 (November 1992)