Anya van Loon

Anja van Loon is a Dutch rally driver who made history in 2024 as the first woman to compete in the Dakar Rally with an all-female truck crew—and she’s been pushing boundaries ever since.

EARLY YEARS

Born Anja van Loon-van de Laar on April 28, 1985, racing was quite literally in her blood. Her father, Fried van de Laar, was a rally driver, and she grew up alongside her brothers Jan and Ben van de Laar in an environment where engines revving and dirt flying were just part of the family soundtrack. By 18, she’d already earned her heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving license—because why settle for a regular driver’s test when you can go straight for the big rigs? At just five-foot-five, she wasn’t exactly built like a typical truck driver, but that clearly didn’t stop her.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the cockpit, van Loon has a background as an economist, proving she’s as comfortable crunching numbers as she is conquering dunes. She married fellow Dakar Rally driver Erik van Loon, creating a household where dinner table conversation probably involves torque specs and stage times. The Van Loons run Van Loon Racing together, making motorsport a true family affair.

EARLY SUCCESS

Van Loon cut her teeth competing in rally events alongside her husband Erik in Can-Am vehicles starting around 2022. She worked her way through various cross-country rallies, including the Italian Baja, building experience and proving she could handle the brutal demands of off-road racing. Her transition to trucks came in 2023 when she entered the Morocco Desert Challenge and Rallye du Maroc as preparation for her ambitious Dakar debut. It was a smart move—get familiar with the beast before taking it to the world’s toughest race.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2023: Made Dakar debut while husband Erik van Loon bid farewell to the race, marking a symbolic passing of the torch in the Van Loon racing saga[1].
• 2024: Made history as the first woman to compete in the Dakar Rally with an all-female truck crew, alongside navigator Floor Maten and mechanic Marije van Ettekoven, finishing 14th overall in the truck category—a remarkable debut[2].
• 2025: Competed in Dakar Rally with her brothers Ben and Jan van de Laar in a Team de Rooy Iveco truck as the ultimate tribute to their father, finishing eighth overall in the truck category[3].

INSPIRATIONS

Her father Fried van de Laar instilled the racing bug in all three of his children, creating a legacy that continues to drive the family. The decision to race the 2025 Dakar with her brothers was described as “the ultimate tribute” to him, showing just how deeply her family roots influence her racing career. Being married to Erik van Loon also means having a partner who truly understands the demands, risks, and rewards of rally racing at the highest level.

REPUTATION

Van Loon has earned respect not just for breaking barriers, but for doing it with legitimate skill. Her 2024 all-female crew wasn’t a publicity stunt—they finished 14th in one of the most demanding categories at the world’s hardest race. She’s known for strong driving skills and navigation abilities, having gained time during night stages thanks to her technical prowess. As a member of the renowned Van Loon racing family, she hasn’t coasted on the name; she’s proven she belongs behind the wheel on her own merits. The motorsport community recognizes her as a serious competitor who happens to be making history along the way.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Van Loon kicked off 2026 with the Baja in Hail alongside her husband Erik, showing no signs of slowing down. She’s committed to continuing her truck racing career while also competing in other rally events through Van Loon Racing. Whether she’ll attempt another all-female Dakar crew or continue racing with her brothers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—she’s not done pushing boundaries in rally racing.

REFERENCES

[1] In the Van Loon saga, every end is a new beginning – Dakar
[2] Anja van Loon finisht eerste Dakar als 14e – Start84.nl
[3] Anja van Loon, Ben, and Jan van de Laar proud of their finish in a tough Dakar Rally
Anja van Loon – Wikipedia (Dutch)
Rally-coureur Anja van Loon: “Het is tijd voor meer vrouwen in de Dakar-rally”
Van Loon Racing – Official Website
Introduction: Ladies racing Dakar 2024 – Team de Rooy
Exceptional Adventurers: The Women of the 2025 Dakar Rally
Together with her brothers, Anja van Loon goes for the ultimate tribute
Erik and Anja van Loon kick off 2026 with Baja in Hail