Ali Oubassidi has dominated his class at the Rallye du Maroc, winning the Open category at the 2024 and 2025 editions before claiming the inaugural RdM Classic in September. With the 2027 Dakar Rally set to take place in his home country, he naturally wants to take part and sweep the first ever Classic Series Trophy.

Unfortunately, it being on his home soil doesn’t exempt him from sponsorship troubles. Sport7.ma reported earlier this week that Oubassidi has been struggling to find funding for Dakar.

While Oubassidi only scored a single stage win in the Rallye du Maroc Classic, he never gave up the overall lead from that day. Filippo Colnaghi, despite winning three stages, had to settle for second with 161 more points than Oubassidi.

His RdM Classic entry was prepped by Compagnie Saharienne, while team manager Lucas Delmas-Marsalet served as his navigator. The team fielded four Land Cruisers at the Dakar Classic in January, with Julian Johan placing the highest in fifth. However, Oubassidi will need a way to foot the bill if he wants to continue his partnership.

“Participating in a rally the size of Dakar requires a significant budget to cover the costs of the car, equipment, logistics, and technical support, burdens that are hard for any driver to bear alone,” wrote Sport7. “Ali Oubassidi needs actual support and assistance from national companies and Moroccan economic institutions today. This is an opportunity for domestic enterprises to invest in a Moroccan driver who has accumulated significant experience, proven his ability to compete and win titles, and contributed to bringing the Moroccan name to the podium at one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

“It is illogical for a Moroccan driver to win the Open class twice in a row and also the Classic category at the Rallye du Maroc, only to be threatened with missing out on Dakar due to a lack of financial resources.”

Featured image credit: Compagnie Saharienne