Latest news with #Rally-Raid
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Safari Rally to offer African riders exciting opportunities
South Africa is preparing to make motorsport history from May 18 to 22 as it hosts its first round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), the prestigious SA Safari Rally. This landmark event signifies a significant milestone for South African motorsport and places Africa on the global Rally-Raid map. The rally, traversing some of the country's most rugged and breathtaking landscapes, will test the endurance, navigation, and technical skills of global competitors, elite factory teams, and top-tier talent. 'This is more than a race,' said Gillian Dykes, FIM Africa director and a member of the FIM Cross Country Commission. 'It showcases Africa's natural beauty, our organisational capacity, and the local talent. For many African riders, this event could be their long-awaited gateway to Dakar, without the financial and logistical barriers of competing abroad.' Confirmed in the bike category are homegrown talents such as Dwain Barnard, Mauritz Meiring, Ruan Burger, and Carien Teessen, who will compete against international stars like Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Adrien van Beveren, and world champion Ross Branch from Botswana. The presence of factory giants like Honda, KTM, and Hero ensures South Africa will witness Rally-Raid action of the highest calibre. 'This rally is a game-changer,' said Vic Maharaj, CEO of Motorsport South Africa. 'It is not only a chance for African riders to earn valuable W2RC points and Dakar eligibility – it's also a major boost for local tourism, investment, and the motorsport industry.' Organiser Archie Rutherford confirmed preparations are on track. 'We are building this to world-class standards – logistics, route planning, safety, and including the media. The response from both public and private sectors has been phenomenal.' The confirmed attendance of FIM president Jorge Viegas and the FIM Africa president underscores the rally's global importance. 'Having the FIM president attend shows how much this event matters. It is a vote of confidence in African motorsport and local organisers, officials, and volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes,' said Dykes. Dykes is excited about the upcoming Continental Training Session between May 14 and 15, which will precede the Safari Rally. This two-day technical seminar, led by Argentina's Andres Zalazar from the FIM Technical Commission, is targeted at FIM Africa and MSA officials and will focus on machine compliance, safety gear, and environmental responsibility. 'We need a formal commission, proper collaboration with FIA's car division, and strong sponsorship. This kind of motorsport is expensive, and it needs buy-in from the government and the private sector.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
South Africa gears up to make motorsport history with Safari Rally
South Africa gears up to make motorsport history with Safari Rally South Africa is preparing to make motorsport history from May 18 to 24 at Sun City, when it hosts its first round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), the prestigious SA Safari Rally. Boksburg Advertiser reports that this landmark event signifies a significant milestone for South African motorsport and places Africa on the global Rally-Raid map. The rally, traversing some of the country's most rugged and breathtaking landscapes, will test the endurance, navigation and technical skills of global competitors, elite factory teams and top-tier talent. 'This is more than a race,' says Gillian Dykes, FIM Africa director and a member of the FIM Cross Country Commission. 'It showcases Africa's natural beauty, our organisational capacity, and the local talent. For many African riders, this event could be their long-awaited gateway to Dakar, without the financial and logistical barriers of competing abroad.' Confirmed in the bike category are homegrown talents such as Dwain Barnard, Mauritz Meiring, Ruan Burger and Carien Teessen, who will compete against international stars like Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Adrien van Beveren and world champion Ross Branch from Botswana. The presence of factory giants like Honda, KTM, and Hero ensures South Africa will witness Rally-Raid action of the highest calibre. 'This rally is a game-changer,' says Vic Maharaj, CEO of Motorsport South Africa. 'It is not only a chance for African riders to earn valuable W2RC points and Dakar eligibility – it's also a major boost for local tourism, investment and the motorsport industry.' Organiser Archie Rutherford confirmed preparations are on track. 'We are building this to world-class standards – logistics, route planning, safety, and including the media. The response from both public and private sectors has been phenomenal.' The confirmed attendance of FIM president Jorge Viegas and the FIM Africa president underscores the rally's global importance. 'Having the FIM president attend shows how much this event matters. It is a vote of confidence in African motorsport and local organisers, officials and volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes,' says Dykes. Dykes is excited about the upcoming Continental Training Session between May 14 and 15, which will precede the Safari Rally. This two-day technical seminar, led by Argentina's Andres Zalazar from the FIM Technical Commission, is targeted at FIM Africa and MSA officials and will focus on machine compliance, safety gear and environmental responsibility. 'We need a formal commission, proper collaboration with FIA's car division, and strong sponsorship. This kind of motorsport is expensive, and it needs buy-in from the government and the private sector.'
Khaleej Times
22-02-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Competitors prepare for tough new route at Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge
The 34th edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge kicked off last night as a world class field of over 150 competitors from around the world gathered at the historic Al Jahili Fort in the start-line city of Al Ain for the event's official press conference and briefing. One of the largest forts in the UAE, Al Jahili was built in the 1890s on the orders of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, also known as Zayed the First, as the home to members of the ruling Al Nahyan family. It was sporting royalty that took centre stage, however, as Rally-Raid champions such as Dacia driver Nasser Al Attiyah and Hero Motorsport rider Ross Branch joined with rally legend Sébastien Loeb, as well as event regulars such as local legends Abdulaziz Ahli and Mansour Al Helei and newcomers to discuss their hopes for the gruelling 1920 km route that includes some of the UAE's toughest terrain and most remote regions. The action got underway with an 11-kilometre Qualifying Stage on February 22 around the Jebel Hafit Desert Park, and runs through to February 27, with competitors powering through an opening stage Mezaira'a before toughing it out on a two-stage marathon camp and finally, a full-throttle Stage 5 blast to ultra-modern Abu Dhabi and the finish line. The rally, one of the longest-running UAE sporting spectacles, is presented by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and organised by the Emirates Motorsport Organisation (EMSO).
