Latest news with #SASafariRally
The Citizen
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Locally manufactured Hilux wins inaugural SA Safari Rally
Serving as round three to the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), the SA Safari Rally concluded after six days of competition through some of Mzansi's highveld terrain, just outside of Sun City in the North West Province. The rally featured five stages, including the opening prologue and it covered multiple road surfaces and landscapes, dominated by dry savannah with some black sand and soft gravel inbetween. The final stage encompassed a total of 222 kilometres, with a 111 km high-speed special stage around Sun City. TGRSA drivers Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy finishing 12th on the final stage and securing 13th overall. Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, managed a win on Stage 4 but faced the challenge of opening the route on Stage 5, finishing 18th for the day and 12th overall. Gazoo Racing added that both crews contributed valuable points to Toyota's lead in the Manufacturers' Championship. Related: Nissan's Rosslyn Plant Risks Closure Amidst Global Restructuring Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings clinched the overall victory in the car category with their Toyota Gazoo Europe Hilux T1+. In the motorcycle division, Daniel Sanders of Red Bull KTM secured his fourth consecutive W2RC victory, extending his lead in the championship standings. Related: All-New Honda Amaze Lands in SA – Pricing and Spec With the South African round concluded, the W2RC now shifts focus to the next event in Portugal, where TGRSA aims to build on their home soil experiences and continue their pursuit of championship success. 2025 SA Safari Rally W2RC Round 3 Standings H. Lategan / B. Cummings (#205) – Toyota Gazoo Racing: 12h10m42s S. Loeb / F. Lurquin (#219) – The Dacia Sandriders: +01m39s L. Moraes / A. Monleon (#203) – Toyota Gazoo Racing: +02m55s G. Woolridge / B. Dreyer (#277) – Neil Woolridge Motorsport: +04m48s C. Sainz / L. Cruz (#225) – Ford M-Sport: +05m15s S. Quintero / D. Zenz (#204) – Toyota Gazoo Racing: +06m19s N. Roma / A. Haro (#227) – Ford M-Sport: +06m45s D. Schröder / H. Köhne (#242) – PS Laser Racing: +09m04s G. De Mevius / X. Panseri (#222) – X-Raid Mini JCW: +11m44s N. Al-Attiyah / E. Boulanger (#200) – The Dacia Sandriders: +11m48s Click here and browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag! The post Locally Manufactured Hilux Wins Inaugural SA Safari Rally appeared first on CAR Magazine.
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
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Post Easter trip vehicle checks are vital
With many South Africans returning from their Easter holidays, the Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), is reminding motorists to prioritise post-trip vehicle checks and ongoing maintenance. Dewald Ranft, National Chairperson of MIWA, says long-distance travel can take its toll on a vehicle, especially if it was already due for a service or experienced an increased load during the holiday. Unroadworthy cars can be a major source of accidents. The Department of Transport noted that since their Easter Safety campaign began on March 20, 2 200 vehicles had been removed from the road. 'Now is the perfect time to have your vehicle checked by an MIWA-accredited workshop to ensure everything is in good working order and to avoid unnecessary breakdowns,' he advises. ALSO CHECK: Dressing the parents: A fashion guide for the big day Ranft highlights key checks which should be carried out after a holiday trip and stresses the importance of inspecting tyres for wear and correct pressure, checking oil and other fluid levels (such as brake, coolant, and transmission), and assessing the condition of the battery. 'It's also vital not to ignore any unusual noises or dashboard warning lights. These are often early signs of a potential problem,' he adds. He recommends including a seasonal undercarriage clean, especially for those who drove in coastal or wet conditions, to remove salt and grime that can accelerate rust. Ranft emphasises the importance of only using MIWA-accredited workshops. 'Our members are held to the highest standards of quality and professionalism, ensuring that consumers receive trustworthy service every time,' he says. ALSO CHECK: SA Safari Rally 2024: South Africa's motorsport history in the making Ranft suggests motorists sign up for service and licence renewal reminders to stay on top of regular maintenance. 'Simple SMS or email reminders from your workshop help prevent lapses that could compromise vehicle safety,' he notes. Lastly, Ranft urges motorists not to pack away their road safety kit just yet. 'A well-stocked emergency kit including jumper cables, a tow rope, a torch, first-aid kit, water, and a phone charger is essential. Drivers should also know how to perform basic tasks like changing a tyre or jump-starting a car.' 'Good preparation and maintenance are your best defences against future problems,' he concludes. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
27-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
SA Safari Rally set to make motorsport history
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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
All eyes on SA Safari Rally from May 18 to 24
All eyes on SA Safari Rally from May 18 to 24 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. ALSO READ: Saint Stithians' Saints SportsFest closes with a bang '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. ALSO READ: Saint Stithians' Saints SportsFest closes with a bang 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
