Kim Matzen has conquered Johnson Valley, but she now wants add the Saudi desert to that list. Come January, she will make her Dakar Classic debut in a Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ78 for Compagnie Saharienne. Ultra4 teammate Chris Kelly will serve as navigator.

Matzen primarily races a 4500 Modified rock crawler in Ultra4 competition, which shej’s been doing for over a decade. She won the 2025 Ultra4 USA East championship in Class 4500 after winning the combined 4500, 4600, and 4800 race at the Rausch Creek Rumble in March. While she didn’t take part in the 2025 King of the Hammers, she was 32nd in 2024’s Every Man Challenge.

While rock crawling isn’t exactly cross-country rally, Matzen got a taste of the discipline in 2024 when she raced the NORRA 500. She finished 46th overall in her Ultra4 buggy, the lone such vehicle entered.

In September, she and Kelly tested the Land Cruiser with Compagnie Saharienne in Morocco.

“Our friends from across the Atlantic usually compete in iconic American races such as Ultra4 or major off-road endurance events,” reads a team statement. “We are delighted to help them get closer to a dream they had not yet achieved: taking on the legendary Dakar.

“Their passion, experience, and commitment to doing things right — qualities we’ve already witnessed together in Morocco — will undoubtedly be major strengths for this crew.”

Compagnie Saharienne will also field Land Cruisers for Shammie Baridwan, Julian Johan, and Sanjay Takale. Baridwan and Johan are also newcomers to the Dakar Classic.

Featured image credit: Bad Advice Racing