SA will make motorsport history when the country hosts round three of the SA Safari Rally from May 18 to 24. The event is part of the prestigious World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC).
The inaugural event, presented by event partner Toyota Gazoo Racing, is no ordinary event. It’s a global spotlight moment – and SA is ready to shine.
“This is a defining moment for motorsport in SA,” said Vic Maharaj, the CEO of Motorsport South Africa. It’s about more than racing. It’s about showcasing our talent, terrain and ability to deliver world-class events.
“With SA-manufactured cars making up more than half of the field, a testament to our engineering excellence and deep motorsport roots, having the event on our home ground for the first time is exciting. We believe this could open doors to even bigger opportunities, including F1, in the future.”
Anton Roux, the chairperson of Motorsport South Africa, concurred, “This event has the potential to pave the way for many more international motorsport events in SA. It is most probably the largest international event SA has hosted since the last Formula 1 was held at Kyalami in 1993.”
“With entries closing at the end of April, the lineup of top local and international participants is growing, and fans can expect to see some of the biggest names in international rally-raid on local soil,” said Archie Rutherford, the CEO of SA Rally Raid Championship.
Exciting news for South Africans is the inclusion of Ross Branch, Botswana’s homegrown FIM W2RC champion and fan favourite ‘Kalahari Ferrari‘, riding with Hero Motorsports.
Dakar Rally legend Giniel de Villiers will come out of retirement to be part of #TeamHiluxRallyRaid for the next two seasons.
“Having Giniel on board is like adding a turbocharger to our team. He brings unmatched experience and passion to the track,” said teammate Fouché Blignaut.
Nasser Al-Attiyah and Edouard Boulanger are expected to be part of the event. But Al-Attiyah will face some stiff local competition. Bracing up are the young guns from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Saood Variawa and Guy Botterill, Neil Woolridge, Motorsport’s (Neil Woolridge Motorsport) Gareth Woolridge and 2023 SA Rally Raid Champion and Century Racing’s Brian Baragwanath.
From Sun City to the desert dunes, the W2RC route will test the best of the best in a uniquely African setting.
“This is the moment we’ve worked so hard for. The world is watching – and we’re almost ready,” concluded Rutherford.
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