Dakar 2027 cancelled? A week of many questions, few answers and one decision

Sven Syfrig

1 minute ago

6 min read

Status: 26 September 2026

Another exhausting week lies behind us. A week of many questions, few answers and still a great deal of uncertainty. I am writing this update personally, because our last two articles were about facts and headlines. This one is about the people behind our project.

The short answer first: the Dakar 2027 has not been cancelled. As of 26 September 2026, ASO has not cancelled, postponed or moved the rally, and the communication ASO announced on 15 September is still outstanding. If you want the background, read ASO's written reply and our status update from 15 September and how we are dealing with the uncertainty.

Ten teams, 34 people, one open question

TimeOut Racing goes to the Dakar Classic 2027 with ten teams. Our team for this edition is 34 people strong. Every one of them has family and friends at home who asked the same question this week: are you going or not?

We do not have that answer yet. What we do have is a plan, a timeline and a lot of good conversations.

Talking to Paris, and to the desert

This week we were in active contact with ASO in Paris. We even received feedback from Pierre Lenfant of the Direction Sportive of the Dakar Rally, who is in Saudi Arabia right now on the recce of the route. That someone takes the time to answer a small Dakar Classic team in the middle of the reconnaissance says a lot about the people behind this rally.

I want to say thank you here, publicly. Our contacts at ASO have given us good support throughout this stressful and difficult time. They answer our questions and take our concerns seriously, while they are under enormous pressure themselves. That is not something we take for granted.

Why we understand that ASO cannot decide yet

Our assessment is this: the political situation in the Middle East, and in Saudi Arabia in particular, can change almost from one day to the next. Not only for the worse, but also for the better. The last few days showed both, as you can read at the end of this article. Anyone who makes a final decision today may be overtaken by events next week, in either direction.

We can probably not even estimate the financial scale of a rally like the Dakar. Hundreds of vehicles, a bivouac that moves every day with thousands of people, helicopters, medical teams, logistics across an entire country, live TV production and partners who committed years in advance. As a small Dakar Classic team, the costs already feel astronomical to us. What must they be for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Ford or Defender? And what must they be for ASO and its Saudi partners, who carry the whole event?

So yes, we understand that it is extremely difficult for ASO and the Saudi partners to take a final decision right now. A decision of this size deserves care, not speed.

One video call, one decision

This week we held a video call with all of our customers together. We went through the situation, the scenarios and the next steps for the Dakar 2027. And we took a decision together: as one unit, we continue to look ahead to the Dakar 2027 with a positive and optimistic mindset.

That does not mean we close our eyes. It means we keep preparing, keep talking and keep our options open, instead of letting every headline decide how we feel that day.

Where our preparations stand

TimeOut Racing is perfectly on schedule with its preparations for the Dakar Classic 2027. In some areas we are even slightly ahead. The one thing we are deliberately holding back is booking hotels and flights to and from Barcelona. For for this number of people that is not a small item, and it makes a very big difference to us when the final decision comes:

Early November: we can book with a clear head, and nobody loses money on travel.
At the vehicle handover in Barcelona on 27 and 28 November: our crews would already be on their way, with flights, hotels and time off committed.
Once the vehicles are on their way to Saudi Arabia: the worst case. By then almost every cost of the edition has been spent, and the vehicles are somewhere at sea.

So our wish to ASO is simple, even if we know the decision itself is not: clarity as early as the situation allows.

Hello world, please calm down

We are adventurers, racers and motorsport enthusiasts. Probably also a good bit crazy, otherwise we would not spend our Januaries in a desert bivouac. We know that a rally is not the most important thing in the world right now, and that people in the region live with this conflict every day.

But we would love to be allowed to experience the Dakar 2027. So, dear world: please calm down.

What changed in Saudi Arabia in the last few days

Between 22 and 26 September 2026 the situation moved in both directions. That is exactly why we understand ASO's position.

What made it harder:

22 September: The German Foreign Office updated its travel advice. It now advises against all travel to Saudi Arabia that is not strictly necessary, warns against travel to the border region with Yemen and urgently advises against Abha and Khamis Mushait. It names drone and missile attacks since September in several provinces, including Al Bahah, Mecca and Medina.
24 September: The coalition led by Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis towards Taif and the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Civil defence issued warnings for Mecca, Jeddah, Yanbu, Tabuk and Taif and later gave the all clear. The Houthis claimed further attacks on Riyadh and on Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
26 September: Two more ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait and two drones aimed at Riyadh were intercepted. Saudi authorities reported no casualties and no damage.

What gave reason for hope:

More protection on the Red Sea coast. On 24 September President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send soldiers, radar and air defence systems to protect Yanbu. The United Kingdom is supporting Saudi air operations with aerial refuelling, and Greek air defence crews are already operating in the country.
Regional partners are closing ranks. On 25 September the military leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey met in Riyadh under their new joint defence agreement. On the same day the UN Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks in the strongest terms.
First movement on Hormuz. Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi presented a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and restart talks with the United States. Washington is reported to be sceptical, but oil prices fell noticeably on the news. That shows how much everyone is hoping for a way out.

What this means for the Dakar, as we read it: most attacks are being intercepted, and more countries are investing in the protection of exactly the Red Sea corridor where KAEC, the start and finish of the Dakar 2027, is located. You can read more about the location in our article on King Abdullah Economic City. At the same time, this week's warnings reached Jeddah, the neighbouring city to KAEC, and the German travel advice now covers the entire country. That matters, because, as KTM adviser Heinz Kinigadner pointed out this week, insurance cover becomes difficult once official travel advice turns against a country.

We are not security analysts, and we do not pretend to be. We read the primary sources, we talk to ASO, and we will tell you here as soon as there is a decision. Until then, we keep preparing. Ten teams, 34 people, one goal.

Sven Syfrig, Team Principal, TimeOut Racing

FAQ

Is the Dakar 2027 cancelled?

No. As of 26 September 2026, ASO has not cancelled, postponed or moved the Dakar 2027. The communication ASO announced on 15 September is still outstanding.

How many teams does TimeOut Racing take to the Dakar Classic 2027?

Ten teams. Our team for the Dakar Classic 2027 is 34 people strong.

When do Dakar Classic teams need a final decision?

Ideally in early November. The European vehicle handover and scrutineering takes place in Barcelona on 27 and 28 November, after which the vehicles are shipped to Saudi Arabia. Every week later increases the costs teams have already committed.

What changed in Saudi Arabia between 22 and 26 September 2026?

Germany updated its travel advice and now advises against travel to the whole country that is not strictly necessary, and the Houthis fired further missiles and drones at Taif, Yanbu, Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, which were intercepted. At the same time France announced troops and air defence for Yanbu, regional partners met in Riyadh, and Iran proposed a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Does the German travel advice cancel the Dakar 2027?

No. Only ASO decides whether the rally takes place. Travel advice can, however, affect insurance cover and company travel policies, which is why it matters for teams and their crews.

Is TimeOut Racing still preparing for the Dakar Classic 2027?

Yes. Our preparations are on schedule and in some areas slightly ahead. After a joint video call with all customers, we decided as one unit to continue with a positive and optimistic outlook.

About the Author

Sven Syfrig is the founder and Team Principal of TimeOut Racing, a rally raid assistance team based Switzerland. Founded in 2014, the team has supported private crews at the Dakar and Dakar Classic every year since 2022. For the Dakar Classic 2027 TimeOut Racing prepares ten teams with a crew of 34 people.