The world’s most grueling motorsport event returns to Saudi Arabia this January, and the lineup is absolutely stacked. Running from January 3–17, 2026, the legendary off-road competition features one particularly dominant force: a five-car Polaris / Loeb FrayMédia Motorsport factory team ready to chase a historic third consecutive SSV victory.
What Makes This Race the Ultimate Off-Road Challenge?
Since launching in 1979, this motorsport spectacle has evolved into the planet’s toughest rally raid. Competitors face:
Unforgiving terrain spanning thousands of kilometers across sand dunes, rocky paths, and desert wadis
Navigation nightmares where missing a single waypoint can destroy your entire day
Brutal conditions with extreme temperatures and mechanical stress that breaks even the best-prepared machines
The competition spans multiple vehicle categories, from top-tier Ultimate (T1+) prototypes built by Toyota, Mini, Ford and Dacia, to the increasingly popular Challenger and SSV classes where side-by-sides prove their mettle against the desert.
The Star Attraction: Loeb FrayMédia Motorsport’s Five-Vehicle Assault
Polaris and Loeb FrayMédia Motorsport have assembled a remarkable factory program for 2026. Their five RZR entries under the Loeb FrayMédia Motorsport – RZR Factory Racing banner represent one of the most ambitious SSV campaigns in recent memory.
The objective? Secure a third straight SSV championship after dominant performances in 2024 and 2025.
Meet the 2026 Polaris / Loeb Driver Lineup
The Dakar Rally 2026 entry list features this powerful squad across two SSV categories:
SSV1 Category – RZR Pro R Rally (New Elite SSV Class)
- Brock Heger (USA) / Max Eddy Jr. (USA) – Fresh off their 2025 SSV victory, the defending champions step into the brand-new SSV1 class piloting the all-new RZR Pro R Rally
- Xavier de Soultrait (FRA) / Martin Bonnet (FRA) – The 2024 SSV champions transition into a crucial development role with the SSV1 project
- Gonçalo Guerreiro (PRT) / Maykel Justo (BRA) – An exciting Portuguese talent paired with a veteran Brazilian co-driver
T4 / SSV Category – RZR Pro R Factory
- Johan Kristoffersson (SWE) / Ola Fløene (NOR) – The multi-time World Rallycross champion brings his speed to the proven RZR Pro R Factory platform
- Florent Vayssade (FRA) / Nicolas Rey (FRA) – French rally-raid specialists return with the championship-winning machine
That’s the complete five-car arsenal: three entries in the new SSV1 category and two in T4, all hunting for more silverware.
Two Generations of Polaris Technology
Polaris is deploying a fascinating dual-platform strategy for 2026:
RZR Pro R Factory – The Proven Champion
This battle-tested machine was purpose-built for T4 regulations and has already secured back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. Teams trust it for its reliability and high-speed stability across marathon stages.
RZR Pro R Rally – The SSV1 Prototype
This is the new weapon: a purpose-built SSV1 machine with more power and adjustability than production-based T4 vehicles. The extra regulatory freedom allows engineers to push boundaries in suspension travel, weight distribution, and electronic systems.
The strategy is brilliant: defend titles with the proven Factory model while using the Pro R Rally to learn fast and develop the next generation of SSV technology.
Beyond Polaris: The Full Competitive Landscape
While the five-car Polaris effort dominates headlines, the complete field reveals incredible depth.
Ultimate (T1+) Heavyweights
- Nasser Al-Attiyah / Fabian Lurquin with Dacia Sandriders
- Sébastien Loeb / Édouard Boulanger also campaigning a Dacia Sandrider
- Major entries from Toyota, Mini, Ford and Century Racing featuring Guillaume de Mévius, Cristina Gutiérrez and Mathieu Serradori
SSV / SSV1 Competition
Factory Can-Am Maverick R teams led by Francisco “Chaleco” López and Jeremías González Ferioli will provide fierce opposition. Expect strong privateer and semi-works outfits from Europe, South America and the Middle East running both Polaris and Can-Am machinery.
Combined with full fields in bikes, quads and trucks, the 2026 edition promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years.
Three Major Storylines for January 2026
1. Can the Polaris/Loeb Structure Achieve the Hat-Trick?
With championships in 2024 and 2025, the team is chasing a third consecutive SSV crown. The mix of continuity (Heger, De Soultrait) and fresh talent (Guerreiro, Kristoffersson, Vayssade) makes them early favorites.
2. The SSV1 Evolution Begins
The introduction of SSV1 transforms side-by-sides into mini-prototypes. Key questions include:
- Will SSV1 machines prove significantly faster than T4 over full stages?
- Can the new technology survive 14 days of extreme punishment, or will reliability become the equalizer?
3. Why SSV Categories Are Capturing Fan Attention
While headline manufacturers battle for outright victory in Ultimate (T1+), the SSV categories increasingly captivate audiences because:
- The racing delivers ultra-close competition
- The machines remain visually connected to production side-by-sides
- Young talents launch their careers here before graduating to top-tier cars
The 2026 grid perfectly captures this dynamic: established manufacturers at the summit, with a new generation using SSVs as their proving ground.
How to Follow Every Kilometer
The 2026 edition runs entirely in Saudi Arabia across massive loops and marathon stages. Official channels will provide:
- Daily stage summaries and video highlights
- Live timing and overall classifications
- Exclusive on-board footage from all vehicle categories
For dedicated coverage of the five-car Polaris / Loeb squad, monitor:
- Polaris Off Road / Polaris RZR newsrooms for technical updates
- Loeb FrayMédia Motorsport team channels for behind-the-scenes content including bivouac life, onboard footage, mechanic interviews, and daily debriefs
The Bottom Line
The Dakar Rally 2026 entry list sends a powerful signal: major manufacturers are fully committed, the new SSV1 class will reshape the competitive hierarchy, and the five-car Polaris / Loeb FrayMédia Motorsport squad sits at the epicenter of this evolution.
Whether you’re a dedicated rally-raid enthusiast or discovering this motorsport spectacle for the first time, 2026 offers the perfect opportunity to follow every special stage from the opening prologue to the final podium celebration.
The desert awaits. The machines are ready. And in just a few weeks, we’ll discover who can survive the ultimate test of speed, navigation, and endurance.