René Metge’s remarkable Porsche adventure

Drifting through the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally in what's now revered as a timeless Porsche classic car, Metge defied the odds to fulfil his dream.

13 September 2022

René Metge is standing at the finish line and celebrating with his hands in the air.

With his incredible skills – and a custom Porsche 911 Carrera 3,2 4x4 Paris Dakar – René Metge challenged the desert. And won.

Conquering the Sahara Desert with 330 hp

Over the course of almost 10,000 kilometres, René Metge had to overcome many obstacles to fulfil his dream. Not least of which being the torrid heat of the desert and a brutal bone-dry course. Of the 313 cars that started the Paris-Dakar that year, only 98 made it to the finishing line. But finally, after 19 days of battling the competition – and the elements – he made it to Lac Rose with a winning time of 16:58'55". A racing experience and performance that will never be forgotten.

Driven by blood, sweat and tears

René Metge’s result came as a surprise to some, who didn't expect to see him rolling up to the starting line in his custom Porsche 911 in Paris on 1 January 1984. His automobile stood out from most of the rally cars present that day. No wonder: it was a modified 911, specifically designed to compete in the Dakar Rally. But this wasn't Metge's first rodeo; he had competed in the race before and knew what the course had in store for the racers. He knew that the custom-built 911 would help him to defy the conditions. That year, the rally’s route had been extended through Ivory Coast, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Mauritania to ‘enhance the dreams of those who stay behind.‘ Staying behind, however, wasn't Metge’s dream. He led the way instead, crossing the finish line on 20 January to seal the win. So, what does it feel like when a dream comes true? For René Metge: Dusty, sore and more than a little dehydrated.

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