TOBY PRICE AND SAM SUNDERLAND TO RACE DAKAR

Two-time Dakar Rally Champion and Order of Australia recipient Toby Price is set to make a sensational switch from two wheels to four alongside fellow two-time Dakar Winner Sam Sunderland as navigator in 2025, with the duo looking to conquer the desert in the T1+ ‘car’ category with Overdrive Racing.

Following his retirement from full-time motorcycle racing in 2024, Price set his sights on the next chapter of his illustrious career, which was to get behind the wheel of a T1+ vehicle and take on a new pinnacle of off-road racing at the famed Dakar Rally. 

Price’s four-wheel career began in 2016, lining up for the famed SCORE International Championship in Mexico – a series in which he has since notched two podiums and a triumphant maiden victory at the 2024 Baja 400 alongside a driver instrumental in Price’s four-wheeled career, Paul Weel.

As long-term representatives of Price’s career and Dakar pursuits, Owlpine Group worked extensively in engaging both Overdrive Racing and Black Rock Motor Resort, along with additional partners, bridging the transition for Price and Sunderland in entering the ultra-competitive T1+ category for 2025.

“I am super excited to announce that we’ll be on the start line for the 2025 Dakar Rally,” Price commented.

“Teaming up with Overdrive Racing in a T1+ Car is a dream come true, and an opportunity that I am really grateful for and looking to make the most of. I want to say a massive thank you to Black Rock Motor Resort, BFGoodrich Tyres, ARB 4×4 Accessories, Peter Kittle Motor Company and Vietnam Motorbike Tours they’ve been pivotal in making this dream a reality.

It’s been a huge amount of work since March putting this all together, and it feels surreal to be finally happening. I’ll be teaming up with my mate Sam Sunderland – four-time Dakar winners in one car is a cool story, and we’re looking to give it a good crack.”

Sunderland’s progression followed a similar arc, wrapping up his full-time motorcycle career in 2024 after successfully conquering the Dakar Rally twice. With the two-wheeled leg in the books, Sunderland sought a seat in the ‘cars’ category, intent on adding a third trophy to his cabinet as he takes the navigation role.

“I’m stoked to announce that Pricey and I are heading to Dakar in a Toyota T1+ car for 2025!” commented Sunderland.

“Being able to say that out loud is pretty wild, to be honest. I remember the days at Dakar when we would sit in the camper after a long, rough day on the bike, chatting about how nice it would be to sit in a car with a seat belt and a bit of air conditioning.

This always seemed a bit far-fetched, so it’s surreal to be able to say we’ll be on the line. Massive thanks to the team at Black Rock Motor Resort for coming to the table and getting it across the line as well as Overdrive Racing – time to get to work for January!”

Based out of Belgium, Overdrive Racing emerged on the rally circuit in 2006, and is well-known for its partnership with Toyota, fielding a fleet of Toyota Hilux vehicles for their drivers. Having won the Dakar Rally on multiple occasions, the team is well-equipped with the knowledge and technical expertise to provide their drivers with the best.

For 2025, the team is thrilled to welcome the renowned skillset of both Price and Sunderland – a prospect that Overdrive Racing founder and team manager Jean-Marc Fortin is excited to get underway.

“This is one of the most exciting driver pairings we at Overdrive Racing have announced since the team’s inception in 2006,” commented Fortin.

“To have four-time Dakar Rally Champions Toby Price and Sam Sunderland in the same car is nothing short of sensational, and is a project that we are incredibly thrilled about. We’re confident in Price’s skill behind the wheel, and Sam’s experience with navigation in the bikes category makes this pairing very formidable.

This is very exciting news for the Dakar Rally, and equipped with an Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux, we believe that a great result is possible for these two drivers and collectively that’s what we will be aiming towards,” finished Fortin.

Shaping up to be one of Australia’s premier motorsport destinations, Black Rock Motor Resort is transforming a 252-hectare site in Wakefield, New South Wales, Australia into a full-fledged motorsport playground for car enthusiasts from all over the world. 

With the crown jewel being a 5.25-kilometre driving circuit designed by the renowned Tilke Group, the resort will also feature a specialised go-kart track, luxury accommodation options, a driver training centre, and much more, making it a true one-stop-shop for all motorsport fanatics.

Given its support and pedigree in motorsport, supporting Price and Sunderland was an extension of the company’s overarching ethos, with a goal nothing short of achieving Dakar greatness alongside the Overdrive Racing team.

“The whole team behind Black Rock Motor Resort are absolutely pumped to be backing a couple of World Champions having a crack at capturing victory in the ‘cars’ category at Dakar, 2025!” said Tony Palmer & Richard Gillis, founders and builders of Black Rock Motor Resort. 

“We’re so proud to be supporting this massive campaign of Toby Price & Sam Sunderland taking on the world at Dakar in an Overdrive Racing  T1+ Car in 2025. 

We have massive respect for Tobes, Sam and the entire Overdrive Racing team for taking on such a monumental challenge, and couldn’t be prouder to be involved in making the dream a reality.”