The 2024 Rallye Du Maroc is gearing up to be an exciting and historic event as it marks the final round of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship. This 25th edition of the rally will take place from October 4 to 11, covering a staggering 2468 kilometers of challenging terrain. With 271 vehicles set to depart from the Grand Stade de Marrakech, including 12 RallyGP class competitors, 112 Rally2 bikes, eight Enduro Cup Afriquia bikes, and four quads, the competition promises to be fierce.
Digital Roadbooks for Bike Categories
One of the most notable changes for this year’s rally is the introduction of fully digital roadbooks for the bike categories. After five years of development and testing, the controversial digital roadbooks are now compulsory for the first time, marking a significant shift in how riders navigate the challenging course. Race director David Castera emphasized the importance of riders adapting to the new system ahead of the 2025 Dakar Rally, as well as at the crucial final round of the 2024 world championship.
Hero or Honda: Battle for W2RC Crown
The 2024 W2RC season has been dominated by the Hero MotoSports and Monster Energy Honda teams, with the world championship leader Ross Branch (Hero MotoSports) currently holding the top spot with 72 points. Close on his heels are Honda HRC riders Ricky Brabec and Adrien Van Beveren with 63 and 56 points respectively. With the title up for grabs, the competition between these top riders is expected to be intense as they vie for the championship crown.
Rally2 Class Contenders
In the Rally2 class, the main protagonists include Romain Dumontier, who leads the pack and will receive support from the Honda factory satellite team. Other notable contenders in this class include Cox (BAS World KTM Racing), Michael Docherty (BAS World KTM Racing), and Harith Noah (Sherco TVS Rally Factory), who won the category on the Dakar. The emergence of new talents like Tobias Ebster and Edgar Canet adds another layer of excitement to the competition, promising a thrilling battle for supremacy in the Rally2 class.
Exciting Schedule for the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc
The 2024 Rallye Du Maroc features a packed schedule, starting with the opening of the service park on October 2 at the Marrakesh Stadium. Technical and administrative scrutineering, as well as the prologue in Marrakesh, will kick off the official events leading up to the rally. With stages spanning from Zagora to Mengoub-Bouârfa, competitors will face a variety of challenges and terrains as they race towards the finish line.
The Evolution of Digital Roadbooks
The introduction of fully digital roadbooks in tablet form represents a significant milestone in the evolution of rally-raid navigation. Developed over five years, the digital roadbooks aim to level the playing field for all competitors by eliminating the use of traditional paper maps and notes. While the transition to digital roadbooks has been met with some challenges, race director David Castera is confident in the ability of riders to adapt and embrace this new technology.
Excitement Builds for the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc
As the final round of the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship, the Rallye Du Maroc promises to be a thrilling and action-packed event. With top riders from around the world competing for the championship title, fans can expect to witness some of the most intense and exciting racing of the season. Stay tuned for updates and coverage of the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc as the world’s best rally-raid competitors battle it out on the challenging Moroccan terrain.