The Dakar Classic is a unique category within the renowned Dakar Rally, dedicated to celebrating and reviving the spirit of historic rally vehicles. Introduced in 2021, this event allows vintage cars and trucks, specifically those manufactured before 2005, to participate in a parallel competition alongside the main Dakar Rally. The primary focus is on regularity and navigation rather than outright speed, emphasising precision and adherence to designated time controls over challenging terrains.

In the 2025 edition, the Dakar Classic expanded its eligibility to include vehicles up to the 2005 model year, effectively adopting a 20-year rolling classification for classic status. This adjustment broadened the range of participating vehicles, allowing more enthusiasts to engage with the rally's storied past.

Participants in the Dakar Classic navigate a course that mirrors the main rally's route but is tailored to suit the capabilities of older vehicles. While they share bivouac facilities and organizational support with the main event, the classic competitors tackle stages designed to test their endurance and navigational skills without subjecting their vintage machines to the extreme conditions faced by modern rally cars. The scoring system is based on regularity rally principles, rewarding teams that most accurately maintain predetermined speeds and timings throughout each stage.

The Dakar Classic has quickly gained a dedicated following, with fans and participants alike appreciating the nostalgic showcase of iconic vehicles that once dominated the rally scene. From legendary models like the Peugeot 205 and Porsche 959 to robust trucks that conquered deserts in decades past, the event offers a rolling museum of rally history in action.