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Sonora Rally 2025 Gives a Bit of Nostalgia with a Fresh Set of Opportunity
Beneath the boundless Sonoran sky, engines revved, dust settled, and an eager crowd gathered as the 2025 Sonora Rally officially opened its gates in Caborca. Today marked Tech & Registration, the first hurdle in a weeklong gauntlet through one of North America’s most unforgiving rally raid landscapes. The anticipation was palpable. So was the sun. But no one came here expecting an easy ride.
Caborca, a town with a history as rugged as the terrain surrounding it, welcomed competitors with open arms—and maybe a little side-eye from the towering saguaros lining the outskirts. Once inhabited by the Hohokam people and later shaped by Spanish missionaries, this desert outpost has seen everything from ancient civilizations to notorious battles. Today, it adds another chapter to its storied past as the launchpad for rally legends in the making.
With an international roster of competitors, the bivouac was alive with camaraderie and nervous energy as teams rolled through scrutineering, their vehicles and gear scrutinized before they face the wild unknown. Many new and familiar faces filled the bivouac, reinforcing the tight-knit rally raid community. This year, the Sonora Rally is going back to its roots—focusing on the people who are the foundation of this event. It has been a mission of the organization to give those who are the lifeblood of this sport in North America a bigger stage and an even better experience.
“Every year, we push this rally to new heights, and 2025 is no exception. The route ahead will test every ounce of skill, endurance, and grit these racers have. But Sonora always delivers—both in challenge and in beauty.” — Race Director Darren Skilton
The 2025 course promises a brutal yet breathtaking journey, with towering dunes, hidden arroyos, and winding riverbeds forming an unforgiving maze that only the sharpest navigators will master. But before the real fight begins, tonight, the competitors find solace in the bivouac, swapping stories, making last-minute tweaks, and savoring the stillness before the storm.
Many of the familiar trappings will be present in the six days between March 16th and 21st, including the Road to Dakar, which will offer one triumphant SXS winner a free entry to the 2026 edition on the world stage next January. Rules & Regulations are available on the Sonora Rally guide on the website. But don’t worry, bikes won’t be left out. Moving forward, the Sonora Rally will become a points-earning competition for the Dakar Rally, saving on costly expenses from traveling overseas to qualify.
And that’s not all. The organization is also excited to share some big news. Motorcycles are now eligible to apply for the new Sonora Rally Dreams of Dakar class. Win the Dreams of Dakar class, and upon your acceptance by ASO into Dakar 2026 or 2027, the Sonora Rally Organization will pay $10,000 toward the entry fee, giving this first-time privateer a solid chance to roll up to the starting line. But it’s up to them to make it to the finish…
Additionally, the Motul Malle Moto prize returns, rewarding the toughest of the tough—those riders tackling the rally unsupported. With only what they can carry in their malle (trunk), these competitors embody the purest form of rally raid, relying solely on their own grit, skill, and determination. Motul has stepped in to support these warriors with crucial supplies and a respectable cash prize, making their arduous journey just a little more rewarding.
Tomorrow, the adventure truly begins. Stay tuned as the Sonora Rally launches into another memorable year, where heroes are made, legends are forged, and the desert decides who reigns supreme.
