SA will host a 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship round.

SA will host a 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship round.

The South African landscape is utterly stunning, and for a selection of individuals, our countryside is best seen at high speeds with a self-made dust cloud in chase. In case you didn’t know, South Africa has a rather large presence in the world of Rally Raid and Dakar, and it seems we have quite the skill set when it comes to travelling long distances in the desert at speed.

This could be due to our impressive local Rally Raid scene with help from brands like NWM Ford and Toyota, and some would argue there is no better place to race than in our veld. The FIA agrees, and South Africa has been added to the list of locations for the 2025 W2RC season.

Chosen for the Safari leg of the championship, replacing Argentina’s Desafío Ruta 40, the third leg of the 2025 season is set to take place in the Northwest and Limpopo provinces from the 18th to the 24th of May next year. This enables the WRC's local fanbase to support its own heroes, such as Saood Variawa, as they face titans from all over the world.

The president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has expressed his enthusiasm in a race across the South African wilderness, stating, “The FIA World Rally-Raid Championship continues to set the benchmark for cross-country rallying, and we are delighted to witness its growing success, both in terms of competition and global presence. It is pleasing to see the inclusion of South Africa in the calendar, and I look forward to following the action amidst the untamed landscapes Africa has to offer.”

South Africa has a massive rally presence, especially in the Rally Raid discipline, with success in Dakar to an extensive local rally series that brings the crowds in numbers. The decision to introduce SA into the WRC not only brings an exciting viewing opportunity to our nation but also the ability for our local stars to display not only what they are capable of but also the beauty in which this racing format can take place.

We are excited to follow the action early next year, but let this also be a reason to head out into the bush and watch these crazy cars be driven by even crazier pilots. There is truly no feeling like watching a T1+ car tear the roads apart right in front of your eyes whilst displaying a sense of fearlessness and total control. Yes, seeing this event in person will likely include a road trip, but I would argue that there isn’t a better excuse to chuck a cooler and some bags into the bakkie than to chase one of the most exciting spectacles in global rally racing.