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Rabat – The 2025 Morocco Historic Rally started yesterday, Sunday, April 27, in Ras El Ma, near Ifrane in Morocco’s Middle Atlas mountains, bringing together classic racing cars and teams from around the world.
The event was officially launched by Ryad Mezzour, Morocco’s Minister of Industry and Trade, and aims to celebrate the country’s history, landscapes, and traditional hospitality while supporting rural areas.
This year, around 60 teams from 10 different countries will cover a distance of 1,700 kilometers (1,056 miles) across Morocco, divided into 6 stages and 28 timed sections.
Choosing Ras El Ma as the starting point is part of the rally’s effort to boost local economies, as nearly 900 people, including drivers, crews, and organizers, are expected to stay in the region for three days. This will draw visitors to local businesses and help to showcase the area’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
According to the rally’s organizer, Yves Loubet, the event remains faithful to its roots by taking participants deep into Morocco’s rural areas, just as it did decades ago, offering drivers and visitors a genuine cultural experience beyond Morocco’s major cities.
The 2025 route takes competitors through the cedar forests of Azrou and Ifrane, the mountains near Khenifra, the shores of the Bin El Ouidane dam, the rocky landscapes of Ben Guerir and Skhour Rehamna, and finally to the coastal city of Essaouira, famous for its scenic Atlantic views and art life.
All the vehicles entered in the rally are carefully restored classic models from the 1960s to 1980s, with a few rare exceptions from up to 1988, as the event puts more emphasis on authenticity and quality rather than on having a large number of participants.
Loubet said the main goal is to encourage real exchanges between drivers and local communities, describing the atmosphere as warm and genuine, with both sides sharing in the excitement and spirit of the event.
This rally is inspired by the Rallye du Maroc, which was first organized in 1934 under French colonial rule of Morocco.The rally had quickly gained fame as one of the toughest and most adventurous car races, attracting drivers who raced across Morocco’s diverse landscapes.
The rally continued to grow in popularity even after Morocco gained independence in 1956, witnessing its golden era in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s when it became known for its challenging stages and gorgeous scenery.
Though the original rally eventually faded due to political and financial challenges, the event’s spirit was revived in the 2000s by Loubet, a former French rally driver, with the creation of the Morocco Historic Rally.
Through this 2025 edition, the Morocco Historic Rally strives to celebrate the country’s past while promoting a sustainable future, linking sports history, cultural pride, and community development.
