Latest news with #SafariRally
eNCA
28-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
SA hosts successful rally event
RUSTENBURG - South Africa consistently proves that it knows and is capable of hosting world-class sporting events. The Safari Rally is no exception. As part of the World Rally-Raid Championship, the event brought some of the best off-road drivers on the planet to the scenic surrounds of Sun City. But it wasn't just about high-octane action, it was a win for sport tourism and the local economy. eNCA's Justin Ford was trackside to capture the energy, the dust and the global talent.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Dakar legend Nani Roma and his ferocious Raptor get hero's welcome at Ford SA plant
Rally star Nani Roma enthralled workers at the Silverton assembly plant on Monday. Image: Supplied This past week was a historic one for off-road racing in South Africa, with local and international stars going head-to-head in the country's first-ever Safari Rally. Staged in the bushveld surrounding Sun City, the 1,222km rally was the first international Rally Raid championship round to be held on local soil. The rally saw local heroes prevail, with Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Henk Lategan narrowly ousting former World Rally legend Sébastien Loeb, who was in a Dacia Sandrider, for overall victory, while Gareth Woolridge of the local Ford NWM team, took fourth spot. Rally fans were also treated to their first sighting of the Ford M-Sport team's Raptor T1+, with international drivers Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma, both rally stars in their own right, taking fifth and seventh positions after struggling to come to terms with the local terrain. To capitalise on the 'gees', Ford South Africa brought Roma and his ferocious Raptor to the Silverton assembly plant on Monday, to give plant workers as well as local media members an inside view of Ford's international racing efforts. Amid much jubilation, with Ford's employee choir putting on a stellar performance, Roma and Ford's motorsport management members received a warm South African welcome as the former Dakar winner revved his Raptor and recounted his life as a rally driver. This took place during a slightly extended lunch break, which Ford SA CEO Neale Hill said had a minimal impact on output, but brought a big boost in morale. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Roma received a warm South African welcome. Image: Supplied Roma is one of just three competitors to have won the Dakar Rally on two wheels as well as four, winning with KTM in 2004 and Mini in 2014, and he joined the Ford M-Sport outfit in early 2023. Speaking with local media after the event, the Spanish driver said this was the first time in his career he has felt that the company's board truly loves motorsport. Roma acknowledged that he was not happy with this year's Safari Rally result, but said the positives outweighed the negatives, as much was learned about the car and the unfamiliar racing terrain. He said the relatively narrow tracks as well as the tall grass and rocks made it difficult to read the track ahead. 'But it's great discovering new areas, new types of terrains.' Describing his time in South Africa, he said 'We feel really welcome, everywhere we go. In many countries that's not the case, but here it feels really nice.' The other star of the show, Nani's Raptor T1+, made its Dakar debut at the beginning of 2025. The purpose-built Rally Raid machine boasts multi-adjustable suspension by Fox, allowing up to 350mm of wheel travel and a 400mm ground clearance. The vehicle features a T45 steel spaceframe and carbon fibre body panels, while power comes from a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 with a uniquely tuned (and thunderous sounding) exhaust system. 'Taking on such a demanding race like Dakar is a daunting task for all of us at Ford Performance, but we have never shirked a challenge,' said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsports. 'The Ford Raptor T1+ is a stake in the ground for our global off-road vision - we want to take on the best and prove ourselves in the toughest places on earth. 'The lessons we are learning from Raptor T1+, along with competing with stock trucks in Baja 1000 and Finke Desert Race, will help make Raptor vehicles even better for our customers.' IOL
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
First ever Safari Rally kicks off in South Africa: here's what to expect
International rally stars, including Carlos Sainz, will be competing on local turf this week. The long-anticipated Safari Rally kicks off on Monday, marking the first time that South Africa has ever hosted a round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). Based around Sun City in the North West, the gruelling rally will see crews cover a distance of 2,641km, of which 1,222km is timed. The prologue is set to kick off on Monday afternoon, ahead of Tuesday's Stage 1. The top-tier 'Ultimate' class currently has 36 entries, with top local competitors set to compete with international rallying stars, including nine-time WRC champion Sébastien Loeb and multiple Dakar winner Nasser Al Attiyah, in their Dacia Sandriders. Al-Attiyah currently leads the Rally-Raid Championship, with a 23-point advantage over Yazeed Al-Rajhi, who remains on the sidelines after injuring his back at the Jordan Baja in April. Fellow former Dakar victors Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma will also be aiming to tame the African terrain in their M-Sport Ford Raptors.
News24
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- News24
Toyota Gazoo Racing unveils striking Sand Beige livery ahead of SA Safari Rally
Toyota Gazoo Racing will sport a striking Sand Beige livery for the upcoming Safari Rally. The livery pays tribute to the hue that adorns Cruisers and Hiluxes of passionate Toyota owners. Toyota Gazoo Racing has opened an impressive new motorsport hub in Kyalami, Gauteng. Paint colours like Rosso Corsa, British Racing Green and Bleu de France are synonymous with motorsport, having adorned legendary racing cars through the ages. Now, Sand Beige can be added to that list. The popular light brown colour that adorns a large chunk of the Toyota Land Cruiser 70s sold in South Africa has been employed on the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux Ultimate T1+ for the upcoming South African Safari Rally that kicks off near Sun City on Sunday, 18 May. The team has historically run black or white cars along with the red and white Toyota Gazoo Racing logos but felt a change was necessary for the first home round of the W2RC world championship. Also, finding a home on the rear quarter panel is the now iconic 'It's not a bakkie, it's a Hilux' phrase. The Sand Beige colour is an iconic Toyota hue and is well-loved by Cruiser owners operating in the South African farming and overlanding community. It makes it a great fit for the pair of racing bakkies at their home round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in front of their passionate fans. The two cars run by Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa will be piloted by Saood Variawa, Francois Cazalet, Guy Botterill, and navigator Dennis Murphy. Following their second-place finish at this year's Dakar Rally, Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings have made the step up to the European-based Toyota Gazoo Racing for the remainder of the W2RC season. They will be behind the wheel of a similar Hilux Ultimate T1+ campaigned by that team. Similarly, veteran Toyota driver Giniel de Villiers will be in contention aboard a Hilux campaigned by the privateer outfit Team Hilux Rally Raid. Toyota Gazoo Racing opens new facility The new livery was showcased to the media ahead of the event at the all-new Toyota Gazoo Racing Motorsport Hub, located in Kyalami, Gauteng. The facility sets a new benchmark for South African and international motorsport facilities. Construction on the 12 500 m² facility began in October 2024 to create a world-class hub dedicated to high-performance motorsport engineering, manufacturing, and development. The Rally-Raid Hub will serve as the new home of TGRSA, housing the team's race vehicles and technical departments under one expansive, multi-level roof, with room to grow in future. Designed to meet the increasing demands of international competition and continuous innovation, the facility has been purpose-built to support every aspect of modern rally-raid racing. It includes a dedicated engine room, damper laboratory, in-house dyno, and an extensively upgraded fabrication division. The machine shop has also been significantly enhanced, now featuring a full suite of 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC machinery, ensuring precision component production at the highest global standards. The new building dramatically improves capacity, with space to prepare up to 20 race cars, compared to just six at the team's previous base. Every workshop and support area has been designed to optimise efficiency, workflow, and quality control. This includes a state-of-the-art parts store, complete with a custom-built software system to manage inventory and logistics servicing TGRSA and multiple teams worldwide. The team at Kyalami can build ten new Hilux race vehicles per year, but a big motivation behind the upgraded facility was to enable the team to increase their fabrication and parts manufacturing capability to meet the needs of Hilux racing teams worldwide. In the last ten years, the local outfit has built close to 140 racing Hiluxes of various iterations, and a large majority of these cars continue to be raced by teams and privateers worldwide. See the world's top rally raid drivers in action From Sunday, 18 May, to Saturday, 24 May, Sun City and its surroundings will be transformed into a rally-raid central. Fans are invited to witness the magic of international rally-raid racing up close. Spectator points are free and located at each stage, allowing fans to watch top local champions go head-to-head with the world's best. General admission tickets and passes are available now via TicketPro.
News24
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- News24
World Rally-Raid Championship heats up for historic SA debut
The World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) heads to Southern Africa for the first time in history. The South African Safari Rally is Round 3 of the 2025 W2RC calendar. It takes place from the Sun City Resort from 18-24 May 2025. With its rich history in rally-raid development and competitive success, South Africa will soon be hosting the world championship it helped shape. The entry list for the first World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) event to be held in South Africa reflects the occasion. The South African Safari Rally, brought to you by Toyota Gazoo Racing, forms Round 3 of this year's W2RC calendar and takes place from the Sun City Resort in North West Province from 18-24 May 2025. In the FIA car category, the Ultimate class brings together a veritable who's who of off-road royalty. Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb spearhead the formidable effort from The Dacia Sandriders. Al-Attiyah is the reigning W2RC champion, the previous round's winner at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the current championship leader, and navigator Edouard Boulanger. Teammate Loeb is a multiple World Rally champion and regular podium finisher in the rally-raid series. He is a formidable contender for the win, with Fabian Lurquin in the navigator's seat. Former Dakar Rally winners and motorsport legends Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma return to competition behind the wheels of the two Ford M-Sport Raptor entries. Navigator Lucas Cruz joins Sainz while Alex Haro guides Roma. The X-Raid MINI JCW Team adds further depth to the field with their accomplished duo of Guillaume de Mévius/Xavier Panseri and João Ferreira/Filipe Palmeiro. Toyota Gazoo Racing is coming out with all guns blazing, thanks to a five-strong lineup of GR Hilux EVOs. American ace Seth Quintero and navigator Dennis Zenz join Brazilian star Lucas Moraes and Spanish navigator Armand Monleon. There's a trio of local favourites too, comprising this year's Dakar Rally second-place finishers Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, the youngest Dakar stage winner in the car category Saood Variawa and navigator François Cazalet, as well as Guy Botterill/Dennis Murphy – all determined to make the most of their home advantage on African soil. Four more international Overdrive Racing Toyota Hilux entries are included, as well as a pair of #TeamHilux entries from South Africa, including former Dakar Rally winner Giniel de Villiers. Additional entries from experienced championship-winning local and international drivers and navigators from PS Laser Racing, Century Racing, Red-Lined Motorsport, and Neil Woolridge Motorsport bolster the Ultimate class field and promise top-tier competition for rally-raid fans. Four entries will be vying for victory in the BBR Motorsport Taurus T3 Max in the Challenger class. Dakar Rally winner Nicolas Cavigliasso and navigator Valentina Pertegarini will aim to reclaim the championship lead from teammates Pau Navarro/Lisandro Sisterna. They will also be up against two other crews from the same squad, comprising David Zille/Sebastian Cesana and Dania Akeel/Stephane Duple. Numerous other rivals aim to spoil their fun, including the South African team of Puck Klaassen and Charan Moore. In the SSV (side-by-side vehicle) class, the goal for Alexandre Pinto and Bernardo Oliviera will be to extend their championship lead in the Can-Am Maverick R. They will have the MMP entries of Enrico Gaspari/Fausto Mota and Claude Fournier/Patrick Jimbert hot on their tail, along with a pair of CST Xtreme Plus Polaris entries and several other serious rivals. Motorcycles In the FIM's top RallyGP motorcycle category, the Austrian Red Bull KTM team hopes to make it three in a row at the South African Safari Rally, as Daniel Sanders won both the opening race at the Dakar Rally and Round 2 in Abu Dhabi. Teammate Luciano Benavides will join him on the second KTM 450 Rally. Botswana's Ross Branch leads a two-rider effort from Hero Motorsports, joined by José Ignacio Cornejo. The Monster Energy Honda HRC team arrives in force with four impressive riders ready to challenge for the win, including Ricky Brabec, Skyler Howes, Adrien van Beveren, and Tosha Schareina. Adding to the local flair, South Africa's Bradley Cox debuted with the Sherco Rally Factory Team after his recent signing. Cox is competing in RallyGP this year after winning the Rally2 class in 2024. Current Rally2 championship leader Tobias Ebster has joined the Hero Motosports team leading up to the South African Safari Rally and will give everything to build on his points lead. South African rider Michael Docherty will be eagerly cheered on by local supporters in the Rally2 category, especially after he won the previous round at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. He is part of the BAS World KTM Racing Team, which is bringing Nathan Rafferty, Filip Grot, Libor Pletka, and Konrad Dabrowski to compete in the South African event. With no less than 23 riders racing in the Rally2 class at the South African Safari Rally, there will be fierce competition for the podium positions. Five riders have been confirmed for the Malle Moto class. They compete in the whole race and must complete their own maintenance on the motorcycles throughout the event, making it an extreme test of man and machine. Three riders from France are Benjamin Pousset, Florian Banchilon, and Matthieu Jauffraud. Jatin Jain, from India, joins the action, along with South African-based Belgian rider Xavier Gregoire. In the Quad category, Abu Dhabi, Desert Challenge winner Antanas Kanopkinas leads the charge on his CFMOTO Thunder Racing machine. He will be joined by the previous round's other podium finishers, teammate Gaetan Martinez and Marek Loj, on a Yamaha Raptor 700. South African Carien Teessen is the fourth contender on another Yamaha Raptor 700. The route The South African Safari Rally offers a diverse and demanding route specifically designed to showcase the natural beauty and technical challenges of Southern Africa. All stages begin and end at Sun City, except for the Marathon Stage, which includes an overnight trip to a remote bivouac near Stella. Here, competitors must service their own vehicles – without outside support. Prologue (19 May): A 9 km blast just outside Sun City sets the stage, combining tight bush trails with fast gravel Stage 1 (20 May): Loops west toward Lichtenburg, blending sand tracks and open farm roads (262 km special) Stage 2 (21 May): Heads into Barberspan's savannah and off-piste terrain (352 km), ending at the marathon bivouac Stage 3 (22 May): Loops back from Stella, with long, fast sections and tricky navigation (253 km) Stage 4 (23 May): A punishing 224 km route into Skilpadshek, featuring rocky mountain sections and technical bushveld Stage 5 (24 May): A short, sharp 118 km loop through red dust and farmland returns the rally to Sun City for the finish The climate in May is cool and dry, with daytime highs around 25°C and early morning temperatures as low as 5°C —ideal for high-performance engines but challenging for tired riders at the marathon bivouac. A rally for the continent As the W2RC heads into its third round, the South African Safari Rally stands not only as a competitive milestone but as a celebration of African rally-raid history and hospitality. From technical scrutineering to the prize-giving at Sun City, every detail has been designed to deliver a world-class experience. More than just a race, this is Africa's invitation to the world—to feel the dust, hear the roar, and witness the rally-raid's global elite take on the continent's toughest terrain.
