Gilles Girousse can be considered a bit of a rally raid connoisseur, having grown up following the Paris–Dakar Rally and wanting to race it but never having the means to do so. Now that he can afford to pursue the lifestyle, he’s become a rally raid vehicle collector, team owner and driver, and even a rally organizer.

The last hat wasn’t one he intended on wearing, but felt the burden was upon him after being displeased with how other race organizers handled their events.

Girousse is the founder of the L’Oasis L’Original Classic, a vintage rally raid that debuted in 2023. For the first three editions, the race took place in Morocco alongside the Morocco Sand Express put on by Benoît Delmas and Grand Sud Orientation.

“For historic rallies, as the name suggests, it’s the history that I like most,” Girousse told Christophe Cavens of Africa Race Mémories. “Not having the means to participate in these rallies when I was younger, I’m making up for it now.”

The Frenchman has competed in a litany of races, both historic races and modern events that allow older cars. He finished 70th at the Dakar Classic in 2022, while this year competed in RBI Sport’s Rallye Breslau (sixth in Car Open) and Fenix Rally (fifth in Car Limited).

His experience also includes races like the Croatia Trophy and the Ladoga Trophy Raid in Russia. In July, he will compete in the Africa Eco Race with a Toyota Land Cruiser HDJ80.

However, Girousse wasn’t pleased with how the vintage races he did were being run.

“It was after being so disappointed with many organizations that I decided to create my own rally,” he continued. “For three good reasons: one, those who didn’t believe at all in classic vehicles; two, those who had no passion other than money; and three, a lack of knowledge of these famous vehicles while I’m a collector.

“I’m talking about Koro, Kalvas, Cotel, Dangel, Halt Up. All of them will be at L’Oasis in Tunisia in October 2026.”

The L’Oasis’ move to Tunisia in 2026 was facilitated by a new partnership with RBI Sport. Revealed in July, it will be held in tandem with the Fenix Rally.

“The enthusiasm for our rally has exceeded all our expectations,” said Girousse. “After 35 entries the first year, we went up to 70 the second, and this year to 80 competitors. We had to require sponsorships from former competitors to select participants.”

Featured image credit: Vinicius Juan Branca / FOTOP / ASO