Following the triumph of King of France 2024, Nicolas Montador is ready to push the boundaries even further, turning a dream into a reality that promises to redefine the off-road racing scene. King of the Desert 2025, set to take place next April in Morocco, will be more than just a race; it will be a unique experience that blends adventure, speed, and skill in a breathtaking environment. With this project, Montador aims to elevate his pioneering vision to new heights, combining the most exciting elements of Ultra4 and the Outback Challenge into an epic five-day competition.

Photography and story by Paolo Baraldi

Following the tremendous success of King of France 2024, Nicolas Montador has decided to reach for the stars once again, embarking on a new adventure that promises to enhance the off-road racing calendar for 2025.

Montador has announced plans to organize King of the Desert, a race that will take place in Morocco in April next year.

"My goal is to create a 5-day race that combines the Ultra4 style with the Outback Challenge," Montador stated. "For those familiar with both categories, you already know it sounds fantastic. We’ll mix long stages, speed, rocks, and sand, with one bivouac night where only drivers, co-drivers, and vehicles will participate. It will be in Baja style, with simple navigation mainly for hazard warnings. The base will be in Morocco, with a main camp featuring a hotel and all the necessary facilities where we will return every day. You will need a fuel range of 150 km, with 1 or 2 stages per day."

The King of the Desert project is built on three solid pillars that ensure its success:

1) Nicolas Montador: In the world of international off-road racing, Montador is a leading figure. A top driver with extensive experience ranging from King of the Hammers to Rallye Breslau, Montador is also an outstanding off-road vehicle builder with his WSR workshop and a respected event organizer, as evidenced by the widely acclaimed King of France.

2) Morocco: Known as the land of off-road racing, Morocco hosts more races annually than almost any other country. Its breathtaking landscapes, varied terrain—from sand dunes to fast tracks—and rugged, unspoiled nature provide a true sense of adventure. Moreover, the warm hospitality of the local population and authorities adds to the unforgettable experience of each event.

3) The Race Formula: Combining the Ultra4 racing style with the Outback Challenge, along with Baja navigation, is a winning choice. This blend fills a gap in the off-road racing scene and promises to be a success, much like Dave Cole’s vision for King of the Hammers.

The Outback Challenge is one of the most prestigious off-road competitions globally, known for its challenging courses that alternate between various extreme terrains. In 2006, the Outback Challenge Morocco was born, the European and African version of the race, considered by many to be even tougher than the original Australian version, with special stages on rocky terrain and endurance challenges over long distances.

On the other hand, Ultra4 gained worldwide popularity by combining Rock Crawling with Baja in the American desert, creating vehicles that excel on both rocky trails and fast tracks. Since 2012, these races have also been held in Europe, with Montador playing a prominent role both as a driver and vehicle builder.

- Organization: The event will be managed by the same team that successfully ran King of France, ensuring top-quality execution.

- Dates: The provisional dates for the race are from April 12th to 18th, 2025.

- Entry Fee: The estimated cost is around 5950 euros, covering the driver, co-driver, vehicle, food, and hotel, with the possible addition of the Sentinel system.

- Contact: nicolas@wsroffroad.com