Giniel de Villiers will participate in the South African leg of the W2RC in May. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Touted as the biggest motoring event on South African soil since the 1993 Formula One race at Kyalami, Round 3 of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) will see drivers traverse a true 'South African Safari'.
This marks the first time the W2RC event will be hosted in South Africa and is expected to reignite the country’s motorsport industry, placing it firmly back on an international growth trajectory.
The third round of the championship will run from May 18-25, with competitors navigating a route stretching from Sun City to the desert dunes. Fans can expect to witness some of the biggest names in rally-raid racing descend upon South Africa, according to Archie Rutherford, CEO of the SA Rally-Raid Championship.
“This is a moment we have worked so hard for. The world is watching and we’re almost ready,” said Rutherford.
Motorsport South Africa (MSA) CEO Vic Maharaj emphasised that the event is about more than just racing – it’s also a showcase of the country’s ability to host world-class events.
“With South African-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 incredibly exciting,” said Maharaj.
South African Dakar legend Giniel de Villiers will be coming out of retirement to join Team Hilux Rally-Raid for the next two seasons. The 53-year-old famously won the 2009 Dakar Rally with Volkswagen.
Other South African talents set to compete include Guy Botterill, Saood Variawa, Gareth Woolridge, and Brian Baragwanath.
Locally manufactured cars making up more than half of the field in the World Rally Raid Championship which will see the third round in South Africa. Photo: Supplied
Image: Motorsport TGR
Anton Roux, chairman of MSA, described the championship’s arrival as a massive opportunity for local drivers to learn from the world’s best.
“This event has the potential to pave the way for many more international motorsport events in South Africa. It is probably the largest international event the country has hosted since the last Formula One Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993,” Roux said.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our local talent, regardless of rank, to compete with and learn from the best drivers in the world. Where else would South African talent have the chance to share the same bivouac as these global Dakar stars?”
