In a thrilling development for motorsport fans, two-time Dakar Rally champions Toby Price and Sam Sunderland are set to make their highly anticipated debuts in the car category at the 2025 Dakar Rally. The pair, renowned for their dominance in the motorcycle division, will be behind the wheel of an Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux in the T1+ class.
This major move comes after Price, who clinched Dakar victories in 2016 and 2019, was left without a motorcycle ride following KTM’s decision not to renew his contract for the 2025 season. Price, a seasoned off-road racer with extensive experience in events like the Finke Desert Race and the Baja 400, is eager to tackle the Dakar in a four-wheeled machine.
“I am super excited to announce that we are going to Dakar in January with Overdrive Racing and jumping into a T1+ car to see what we can do,” Price revealed on social media. “Even better, I’ll be teaming up with a good mate, Sammy Sunderland, who will sit alongside me.”
Sunderland, who won the Dakar on bikes in 2017 and 2022, recently retired from motorcycle competition after battling a series of injuries. Despite his challenges, Sunderland is widely regarded as one of the best navigators in the rally raid scene. His extensive knowledge of the Dakar terrain and navigation expertise makes this new pairing even more formidable.
Overdrive Racing’s team principal, Jean Marc Fortin, expressed his excitement about the duo’s transition. “This is one of the most exciting driver pairings we’ve announced since the team’s inception in 2006,” Fortin said. “To have four-time Dakar Rally Champions Toby Price and Sam Sunderland in the same car is nothing short of sensational. We’re confident in Price’s skill behind the wheel, and Sam’s navigation experience makes this pairing formidable. A great result is certainly possible.”
The pairing of Price and Sunderland marks the continuation of a long tradition of Dakar motorcycle champions moving into the car category. Legendary figures like Stéphane Peterhansel and Nani Roma, who found success on both two and four wheels, have set the precedent. Peterhansel, a 14-time Dakar winner, transitioned from bikes to cars in 1999, while Roma achieved dual wins in 2004 (bikes) and 2014 (cars).
Price and Sunderland’s switch to the car category adds further intrigue to the upcoming Dakar Rally, with the Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux expected to be a serious contender. With a shared determination to excel in this new chapter of their careers, the motorsport world will be eagerly watching as these two champions join forces to take on the grueling Dakar terrain in 2025.
