Polaris has revealed it will be once again competing in the 2026 Dakar Rally with the LOEB FrayMédia Motorsport team and will have an expanded roster that aims to continue its winning streak.

Following two successive victories with the Polaris RZR, two generations of the vehicle will compete this year with a line-up that includes five crews, renowned champions and entry into a new category – cementing the team’s growing strength on the global rally-raid stage.

After several years of progress, the team will compete in the 2026 Dakar Rally under the name LOEB FrayMédia Motorsport-RZR Factory Racing.

“From the very beginning, this partnership has proven to be a winning formula. It’s an exceptional team to work with, perfectly aligned with our racing program’s goals and ambitions, as well as the culture and core values of our brand.”

The LOEB FrayMédia Motorsport-RZR Factory Racing team will field two types of vehicles in the Dakar next year – the reigning champion model, the RZR PRO R FACTORY in the T4 category with two vehicles competing, and the newly developed  RZR PRO R RALLY which is built for speed and will compete in the new SSV 1 category, with three vehicles competing.

Driving in the T4 Category in the RZR PRO R FACTORY will be: Johan Kristoffersson (SWE)  with co-driver Ola Fløene (NOR); and Florent Vayssade (FRA) with co-driver Nicolas Rey (FRA).

Driving in the new SSV 1 category will be: Brock Heger (USA), with co-driver Max Eddy Jr. (USA); Xavier De Soultrait (FRA) with Martin Bonnet (FRA); and Gonçalo Guerreiro (PRT) with co-driver Maykel Justo (BRA).

Chief executive of the LOEB FrayMédia Motorsport-RZR Factory Racing team, Cédric Fray, says: “The Dakar Rally is a school of humility. Every kilometre counts. This 2026 lineup is the result of collective work and a genuine desire to progress together with Polaris.”

“We are fortunate to have a team with very complementary profiles. Experienced drivers, young talents, and a shared drive to excel.”

The collaboration between Polaris RZR Factory Racing and LOEB FrayMédia Motorsport is entering a new phase. This long-term program aims to make the RZR PRO R Rally the benchmark for success in the new SSV 1 category, while simultaneously strengthening the reliability of the RZR PRO R Factory.

Alex Scheuerell, Director of Polaris Racing, explains: “Returning to Dakar after securing back-to-back SSV titles with our RZR Pro R Factory platform is incredibly rewarding. It both validates our approach with the Loeb FrayMedia Motorsport team and fuels our drive to push even further.

“This year marks a new chapter for RZR Factory Racing with the launch of the all-new RZR Pro R Rally, purpose-built to compete in the newly introduced SSV1 category. Engineered with Polaris’ proprietary Dynamix semi-active suspension system, the vehicle delivers uncompromising ride quality and precision handling -giving our racers full control in the most demanding Dakar conditions.

“That, combined with a record five Polaris RZR crews taking on next year’s race, we’re incredibly excited to compete and more motivated than ever to succeed on the world stage.”

With a blend of experience across the team and drivers who have already claimed titles or are rising stars, team boss Jean-Phillippe Nicolao has high hopes for the challenge ahead.

He says: “These are drivers with impressive track records, known for their speed. This means we have to be flawless in every aspect of race preparation and execution.

“From a sporting perspective, the objective remains the same: to aim for victory.”

Co-founder of the team, and the most successful driver in World Rally Championship history, Sébastien Loeb, concludes: “This project is built step by step, with a lot of passion and a methodical approach. The goal is to continue to progress with each edition.”