We look after you: 24/7 geolocation, Race HQ, medical and mechanical team
PASSIONATE PEOPLE BY YOUR SIDE
Who came up with this crazy idea?
It was Jean-Jacques Rey, founder of Désertours, who one evening around a campfire during a Biarritz-Dakar rally, realised he would have loved to experience that at 20. A bivouac and mates out to conquer wide-open spaces — THAT is true freedom. His mind was made up: he wanted to offer it on a tight budget. So the three of them took up the challenge in 1997, on the Moroccan tracks aboard the legendary all-terrain Renault 4L. The 4L Trophy adventure had begun.
And today...
The 4L Trophy is THE rally-raid that brings together 18–28 year-olds from around the world. Every year, more than 1,200 crews set off in the legendary Renault 4L for 11 days of adventure across France, Spain, and the Moroccan desert. On the programme: compass navigation, mutual aid at the bivouac, mechanical challenges, solidarity actions, and breathtaking scenery. It's sport, it's human, and it's a memory that stays with you for life.
Organisation & Safety
Vehicles to assist you
people working in relay day and night (mechanics, medical team, firefighters, volunteers...)
Race HQ to watch over you 24/7
Field assistance
More than 80 4x4 vehicles, logistics trucks, pick-ups to assist you throughout the route
Mechanical team
A team of 85 mechanics, known as the "Mikes", always on hand to repair the 4Ls through the night if needed.
Medical team
Throughout every stage, a medical team made up of doctors known as the "Tangos" and firefighters follows you in 4x4 vehicles. To complement this setup, a Croix-Rouge team is present at every bivouac.
Race HQ
On-board GPS unit
Each 4L is equipped with a GPS unit that transmits its position in real time to Race HQ
Integrated alert button for instant notification to Race HQ
Geolocation
From the Start Village, a geolocation unit is fitted to every 4L for real-time 24/7 tracking of all vehicles. In an emergency, an alert button allows instant notification to Race HQ: the crew in difficulty is immediately called and an assistance team is deployed according to need. First tested in 2017, this geolocation device can detect any abnormal situation. An impressive technical achievement that ensures the best possible safety for all participants.
Day and night
Race HQ is the rally's control tower. Eyes glued to screens, day and night, tracking every 4L in real time.
Telephone assistance
One Race HQ team member is specifically dedicated to answering incoming calls: an assistance number is available to every crew, who can at any time contact the organisation about any incident or issue to be resolved.
The Bivouacs
Our bivouacs are much more than just a place to sleep: they are the beating heart of the adventure, where Trophistes and the organisation come together. True nomadic villages, they revolve around tented spaces: toilets, restaurants, info point, medical team... Designed to welcome more than 2,400 participants every year in the best possible conditions.
Then comes the evening magic: campfires, Berber rugs, poufs, music that brings everyone together. After dinner, the bivouac lights up: laughter erupts, camps come alive with music and mirror balls. In the early morning, a unique wake-up call to the sound of the 4L Trophy anthem: a new day in the desert can begin.
Follow the 4L Trophy live
Family, friends, sponsors, partners — you can follow the adventure live from home.
The live race
Follow the Trophistes' adventure via the Raid 4L Trophy 2026 live race feed. You'll find all the videos, photos, news updates, standings, interviews... covering their exploits.
(available from 17 February, 2026)
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