From Carter Klein’s first encounter with the Moroccan dunes to Ford’s crucial test of the Raptor T1+, the Rallye du Maroc sets the stage for bigger ambitions and Dakar dreams.
The 2024 Rallye du Maroc is now in the history books. Still, it began a new chapter in American racing careers, such as Carter Klein and Hunter Miller. The challenging Moroccan desert gave them a taste of rally raid competition, and despite facing new obstacles, both completed the race, leaving them with bigger ambitions for the future.
On the manufacturer side, Ford Performance and M-Sport tested their latest rally raid vehicle, the Ford Raptor T1+, ahead of the Dakar Rally 2025. The renowned drivers, Carlos Sainz and Mattias Ekström, were called upon to push the Raptor’s limits in one of the last significant pre-Dakar events of the season.
Rallye du Maroc, which has its roots in the Atlas Rally of the 1980s and 1990s, has become a crucial event for the FIA-FIM World Rally-Raid Championship under David Castera’s leadership. Since 2022, it has hosted the world’s best racers at the season’s close, crowning world champions and giving newcomers an entry point into the world of rally raids.
Carter Klein entered Morocco with an impressive off-road resume, including winning the Pro Moto Unlimited class at the 2024 SCORE Baja 500. Despite his familiarity with desert racing, this was his first encounter with the Moroccan dunes.
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I asked him about his participation in Rallye du Maroc:
– Were you prepared for what you met during the race in Morocco?
– I was nearly ready for Morocco, but I needed to know more of the rules before I entered the big stage and made a big push for a good result. Besides that, I had a great time and I’d like to be back for more.
– What about the bike?
– Yeah, the bike was great—I enjoyed it!
– How different were the desert tracks from what you’ve seen previously?
– The riding there was easier than I raced down in Mexico, so it was nothing new. It was sort of similar.
– What about the electronic roadbook? Was it challenging to navigate?
– The electronic roadbook was new, and it took me about three days to figure out what everything did on it. But after that, it was fine.
– What do you think? Is there any difference in racing style between European and American racers?
– The main difference is the navigation side of it. Besides that, it’s pretty much like a sprint enduro with navigation.
Hunter Miller is another U.S. racer with a stellar off-road background, including notable wins such as the 2018 GNCC XC1 Pro UTV National Championship and the 2020 King of the Hammers UTV Championship. His accomplishments have solidified him as a top UTV racer in the U.S., and Rallye du Maroc allowed him to step into the world of rally raids.
I asked him about his Rallye du Maroc, too:
– You and your co-pilot, Andrew Short, performed remarkably well in your debut in the African desert. Are you planning to take on major events like the Dakar Rally soon?
– I’m hoping to be in Dakar in January. Maroc was intended to be a warm-up race to get my feet wet in rally racing and learn some of the small things it takes to be competitive. If I can come up with the rest of the sponsor funds to cover it, you will see me in January!
– How challenging was it for experienced American drivers to adapt from racing on U.S. and Mexican terrain to European-style rally raids?
– The terrain wasn’t necessarily a challenge. The hardest part for me was remembering that Andrew was not staring at a GPS. If I cut a corner, I have to realize that it throws his odometer off completely. A couple of dangers sneaked up on us at the beginning just because of my lack of experience. But by the end of Rallye du Maroc, I felt like we were getting into the groove, and I was comfortable with the notes Andrew was giving me.
– What inspired you to pursue a career in rally raids? Was there a specific person or event that sparked your interest?
– I’ve followed Dakar for many years, cheering on my fellow Americans from home. I love trying new forms of racing, especially ones that are extremely challenging. The idea of running a U.S. desert race every day for two weeks straight and trying to keep the car together through it all is the biggest challenge I could imagine.
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On the manufacturer’s side, Ford’s entry into the Rallye du Maroc marked a crucial test for their new Ford Raptor T1+ ahead of the 2025 Dakar Rally. While no official reports have been released, the team faced various challenges. Carlos Sainz managed to win one stage and place third in two others despite technical issues preventing him from starting on day two. Mattias Ekström, driving without a door at one point, also faced setbacks, including a crash during the final stage.
Despite the challenges, Sainz remained optimistic, posting on Instagram, “The Rallye du Maroc comes to an end, our first big challenge with the Ford Raptor. The feeling has been positive, and we’re very happy with everything we’ve learned these days. Huge thanks to the team for the great effort these past months. Now it’s time to prepare for the Dakar Rally in the best possible way! Let’s go for it!”
The 2024 Rallye du Maroc introduced American racers Carter Klein and Hunter Miller to the demanding world of rally raids, pushing their limits on unfamiliar terrain. Meanwhile, Ford and M-Sport tested the new Ford Raptor T1+ in Morocco, gaining invaluable insights ahead of the 2025 Dakar. Carlos Sainz and Mattias Ekström’s performances demonstrated the Raptor’s potential despite technical setbacks. Rallye du Maroc remains a pivotal event, crowning world champions and serving as a proving ground for both racers and manufacturers as they set their sights on Dakar.
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