The 2026 Dakar Rally and Stage 3 was insane. The coverage of my last day in Saudi Arabia starts with a follow-the-leader driving exercise (with stock Defenders) in the desert to a secret viewpoint to watch Stage 3 rally action first-hand. The crew’s timing was perfect as I saw all three Defender Rally Team duos (and many other competitors) go by!
2026 Dakar Rally Stage 3 Racing
We then headed to Stage 3’s start line, where I spied Nate Hayashi and his teammate in their Ford Bronco queued up in line to start. He’s a fellow Alcan 5000 Rally competitor who competed in the 2024 winter competition (in the Arctic and Alaska), same as my husband, Andy Lilienthal, and I did! It’s a small world, especially when you’re literally halfway around the world from North America.
Next up? Stage 3 rally raid action as my final hours wrap up at Dakar! Stay tuned to Crankshaft Culture as all types of teams take off, including many massive T5 trucks. Articles, podcasts, and radio shows covering my entire experience have also dropped.
Photos and video by Mercedes Lilienthal
Mercedes Lilienthal is an award-winning journalist, photographer, and content creator who specializes in vehicular adventure travel, the automotive industry, and inspiring people within it. Mercedes, a dual citizen of the United States and Germany, loves to document her travels. Her work includes journalism and photography for a wide array of publications in multiple countries, including The New York Times, Forbes, Car and Driver, and many more.
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