Lisette Bakker is a Dutch navigator who has built a formidable reputation in off-road rallying, competing in everything from the brutal Dakar Rally to World Rally-Raid Championship rounds—and she’s not slowing down.

EARLY YEARS

Born on February 11, 1981, in the Netherlands, Bakker didn’t start out dreaming of sand dunes and unforgiving desert terrain. She studied Human Movement Sciences and initially carved out a career in sports, working full-time in various athletic roles[1][2]. But during her studies, she made a fateful visit to a rally team—and immediately knew that one day, she wanted to be a co-driver[3]. As a child, she stayed up late to watch the Dakar Rally on TV, captivated by the adventure and the grit it demanded[4]. That spark never went away.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond the chaos of rally-raid competition, Bakker’s life is impressively diverse. She serves as a coach for the Dutch National Para Hockey team, demonstrating her commitment to fostering excellence in athletes with disabilities[5]. She’s also a non-executive board member for Genius Kilimanjaro, where she supports management and helps guide operations for the climbing organization[6]. And because she apparently can’t resist a good challenge, Bakker summited Mount Kilimanjaro for the first time in 2022[7]. It’s the kind of achievement that would be a capstone moment for most people—for her, it’s just another weekend.

EARLY SUCCESS

Bakker has been active in off-road rallying since the early 2000s, steadily building her skills and reputation in the navigator’s seat[8]. Her breakthrough came in 2015, when she and New Zealand driver Emma Gilmour won the FIA Women in Motorsport Cross Country Selection—a grueling competition designed to identify top female talent[9][10]. The prize? A fully-funded drive in the 2016 Sealine Cross Country Rally in Qatar, where the duo competed against seasoned international crews[11]. Bakker was genuinely shocked by the win. “I am really surprised, I didn’t expect it at all!” she said at the time[12]. But she had earned it. Before Dakar, she also notched rally victories closer to home, including winning the 2019 Eurol Hellendoorn Rally alongside driver Jasper van den Heuvel—a first career win for both of them[13].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2015: Won the FIA Women in Motorsport Cross Country Selection with Emma Gilmour[9].
• 2016: Competed in the Sealine Cross Country Rally in Qatar with Emma Gilmour as part of their selection prize[11].
• 2019: Won the Eurol Hellendoorn Rally with Jasper van den Heuvel[13].
• 2021: Competed in Baja Russia Northern Forest with German TV presenter and rally driver Lina van de Mars[14].
• 2023: Made her Dakar Rally debut as part of an all-female team with Spanish driver Merce Marti, but was forced to retire early due to unrepairable crash damage after Stage 1[15][16].
• 2025: Returned to the Dakar Rally, this time with Dutch driver Riné Streppel, continuing her pursuit of a finisher’s medal[17].
• 2025: Competed in the Rallye du Maroc, a key round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, alongside Streppel[18].

INSPIRATIONS

Bakker’s determination was forged early. During her studies, she felt the need to prove herself in a field dominated by men—and show that she could succeed on her own terms[3]. Watching the Dakar as a child planted the seed; visiting that rally team during university made it real. She’s been chasing the dream ever since.

REPUTATION

Bakker has established herself as one of the most prominent navigators on the off-road rally-raid scene[19]. She’s known for her resilience—coming back from a heartbreaking Dakar retirement in 2023 to compete again in 2025, refining her navigation skills through numerous World Rally-Raid Championship events along the way[20]. Teams like X-raid and Arcane Racing have recognized her talent, bringing her on board for some of the toughest races on the planet[8][21]. She’s earned respect not just for showing up, but for staying in the fight.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Bakker’s goal is crystal clear: to chase the Dakar finisher’s medal that has eluded her in both 2023 and 2025[17]. She’s competing in the 2026 Dakar Rally with Riné Streppel in an Arcane T3 for Arcane Racing[22]. After years of building experience, refining her craft, and refusing to give up, she’s more determined than ever to cross that finish line.

References:

[1] Genius Kilimanjaro – Lisette Bakker
[2] Genius Kilimanjaro Community
[3] Mercepilot – Dakar 2023
[4] Females in Motorsport – Exceptional Adventurers: The Women of the 2025 Dakar Rally
[5] Genius Kilimanjaro – Lisette Bakker (Coach)
[6] Genius Kilimanjaro – Lisette Bakker (Board Member)
[7] Genius Kilimanjaro – Lisette Bakker (Kilimanjaro Summit)
[8] X-raid Team – Female Power as Part of the X-raid DNA
[9] RACER – Emma Gilmour and Lisette Bakker Win the Women’s Cross Country Selection
[10] FIA – Emma Gilmour and Lisette Bakker Win the Women’s Cross Country Selection
[11] Rally Sport Mag – Female Crews Ready for Sealine Cross Country Rally
[12] FIA – Auto+Women in Motor Sport (PDF)
[13] Race Xpress – Jasper van den Heuvel / Lisette Bakker Winnen 38e Editie Eurol Hellendoorn Rally
[14] eWRC-results – Lina van de Mars / Lisette Bakker Baja Russia Northern Forest 2021
[15] MX Link – Women Faced Battles in 2023 Dakar Rally Stage 5
[16] Females in Motorsport – Meet the Women Striving for Success at the 2026 Dakar Rally
[17] Dakar.com – Profile of Riné Streppel
[18] eWRC-results – Bakker Lisette (Rallye du Maroc 2025)
[19] Females in Motorsport – Meet the Women Striving for Success at the 2026 Dakar Rally (Reputation)
[20] Females in Motorsport – Meet the Women Striving for Success at the 2026 Dakar Rally (Skills)
[21] X-raid Team – Female Power (Teams)
[22] Wikipedia – 2026 Dakar Rally