On Saturday, February 28th, the Dakar Classic team held an open workshop day. The Dakar Classic team is a Dutch rally team from Boekel preparing to participate in the 2027 Dakar Classic, a class within the legendary Dakar Rally that focuses on classic rally cars. The team combines a passion for motorsport, technology, and adventure in an ambitious project with one clear goal: to start and compete.
Iconic inspiration
The project is based on the construction of a Peugeot 405 T16 Grand Raid replica, inspired by the iconic rally car that Ari Vatanen won the 1989 Dakar Rally with. The car debuted a year earlier and unintentionally played a starring role in one of the most legendary scenes in the rich history of the Paris-Dakar Rally. It’s the footage of Vatanen being overtaken at high speed in his 405 by Jan de Rooy in the DAF X1. Images that will remain etched in the minds of many rally enthusiasts. Despite this “humiliation,” the original 405 T16 was revolutionary for its time: lightweight, four-wheel drive, long-wheel suspension, and designed to withstand extreme desert conditions. This combination of innovation, speed, and reliability made the car a Dakar legend, and it is precisely in that spirit that Team Dakar Classic wants to revive it.
The Team
Behind the project is a close-knit group of enthusiasts who invest considerable time and energy in realizing the plans. Everyone contributes their specific qualities, strengthening each other. This fosters a true team spirit. These are the driving forces behind Team Dakar Classic:
- Jan van Haandel – driver and driving force behind the project, with years of experience in rallies, bodywork, and expeditions.
- Gerrit Heenck – navigator and team coordinator, responsible for the route, navigation, and preparation.
- Nicole van Haandel – team manager, responsible for planning, communication, and organization.
- Jos Notermans – mechanic and service truck driver, essential for the technical reliability of the car and the team.
Spontaneous Idea
What started as a spontaneous idea quickly became a serious plan. With Peugeot’s permission, the replica is being meticulously crafted. All the dimensions of the original models were recorded. Team members spent a day last April at the Peugeot museum in Sochaux to measure and photograph the original, in accordance with the museum’s contract. Based on this, Jan and Jos began building. Recently, the Retro Dakar Team connected with an Austrian who owns the car from the Jan de Rooy video. It has been completely disassembled for a rebuild, allowing for even more detailed measurements. The puzzle is coming together more and more. Only the power source remains a Peugeot-protected secret.
Unveiling
After a year of hard work, the car’s bodywork is almost complete. A perfect opportunity to reveal the car to the public for the first time. An inspiring video was followed by an interview with the four key team members, after which the covering was removed from the 405 replica. Interest was immense, and attendees were captivated by the replica in progress.
Ambition
The goals are clear: to be at the start of the Dakar Classic in early 2027, successfully complete the rally, and compete for a top-five finish in the class. With a self-built car, a strong team, and respect for the rich history of the Dakar, Team Dakar Classic is working step by step towards achieving these goals. Much remains to be done in the coming months. Next week, the roll cage will be installed, and the 405 is expected to be tested for the first time in early summer. A beautiful and unique project, all in the Netherlands.
