Anja Van Loon and her husband Erik Van Loon will return to Saudi Arabia in 2025, albeit with some twists. Whereas the previous might be within the now-familiar confines of a truck contesting the Dakar Rally, the latter will make his début within the Dakar Basic as the motive force of an Audi S1.
Erik raced the Dakar Rally from 2009 to 2023 with a finest end of fifth in 2015. His thirteenth and remaining begin in 2023 started with a second-place end in Stage #2 earlier than retiring with a rollover 5 legs later. Though he continues to run rally raids in the present day, the Dakar is simply too bodily demanding for him to proceed.
In distinction, the Dakar Basic is a navigation-based rally that makes use of autos constructed earlier than 1999, which means there’s considerably much less stress and bodily toll. His Audi S1 is being ready by Coen Donkers, a fellow Dutchman who competes in historic rallies and the Goodwood Pageant of Velocity in Audi reproduction vehicles. Donkers and Audi Sport Veghel are additionally constructing Dakar Basic challengers for native drivers like Hans Stacey, the 2007 Dakar Rally Truck winner.
“The Dakar Basic is a regularity rally the place the main target is just not on velocity however on the expertise and driving by way of Saudi Arabia,” commented Erik. “Anja might be driving the truck once more and I might be there anyway so I discover it enjoyable to take part. This fashion, I can nonetheless help her and in addition see a number of the nation. I’ll do that with an Audi S1, which I examined final week in France, and it’s simply numerous enjoyable to drive. Coen Donkers is constructing the automotive and can construct a number of extra for another former Dakar individuals from the world, so now we have a pleasant group collectively.”
After ending fourteenth in T3 (now Challenger) at her first Dakar Rally in 2023, Anja switched to an IVECO truck for the 2024 version. She led an all-female staff with Ground Maten and Marije van Ettekoven as co-driver and mechanic, the primary truck crew composed of strictly ladies since 2004. Racing for Group de Rooy, she completed twelfth at school with a finest stage end of ninth twice in Levels #5 and #7.
For 2025, nonetheless, she expects to have a co-ed staff and defined, “I don’t know but precisely what that may appear like when it comes to composition. In any case, it won’t be with three ladies.”
Though retired from the Dakar, Erik continues to make sporadic rallly begins in numerous Bajas and World Rally-Raid Championship rounds in a Can-Am Maverick for South Racing. He and Anja will race Mavericks within the upcoming Morocco Desert Problem on 11–20 April.