For its first iteration under Pro Dunes management, the 2026 Rallye du Maroc will have a vintage category similar to the Dakar Classic.

Pro Dunes co-owner and new race director Marc Coma announced the creation of the “Rallye du Maroc Classic” during a press conference on Friday prior to the Dakar Rally. Coma explained it will “follow the same format, the same regulation, the same categories” as the Dakar Classic, which is run adjacent to the main Rally as a regularity race for vehicles built before 2005.

“I’m happy to announce that because all the teams that are present here in the Dakar Classic, they will have a second event during the season, where they can train, they can discover the discipline, and this is the purpose of Morocco,” Coma said to Cross-Country Rally News.

Pro Dunes took over as the Rallye du Maroc’s organizer last June, replacing current Dakar director David Castera’s ODC Event. Coma, a five-time Dakar bike champion and three-time Rallye du Maroc winner, was appointed as director.

The RdM Classic adds to a growing list of historic rally raids in Morocco. This company includes the Morocco Sand Express, the Pionniers Classic, the Merzouga 1000 Classic, and the RallyClassics Africa, all of which have been used by teams to prep for the Dakar Classic.

However, the Rallye du Maroc differs in that it also has a standard rally for modern vehicles. This is more similar to the Morocco Desert Challenge, part of the Africa Eco Race, and the new Ouzina Challenge.

While usually the season finale for the World Rally-Raid Championship, the 2026 Rallye du Maroc will be the fourth race of the season. It will run from September 28 to October 3.

Featured image credit: Amédézal / ASO