The 2024 international motorsport season kicked off to a blockbuster start in January with the running of the 46th Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia where South African manufacturers, competitors and support crew again demonstrated their tenacity and ability to compete with the best in the world!
With the dust now settled on this awe-inspiring event the focus has moved to the 2024 SA Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), which kicks off a little later than normal, and heralds in some noteworthy changes to the season calendar, all aimed at raising the bar of the already revered National Championship.
Mpumalanga, which over many years has carved a niche as the season opener, will again play host to the opening round of the SARRC on 19 and 20 April, and returns to the town of Malelane on the fringes of the world renowned Kruger National Park, for the Nkomazi 400, an all-new event last year.
The next port of call is Vryheid, a coal mining and cattle ranching hamlet in northern KwaZulu-Natal, on 24 and 25 May. Although the Vryheid area is one hundred percent virgin territory for Cross Country or Rally-Raid vehicle racing, it is enthusiastically supported by Ryan Bland, a respected competitor in the SARRC and his family, and will offer varying and challenging terrain.
Round three from 21 to 23 June is a momentous occasion for the SARRC and will see South Africa vying for a round of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship. This marathon event, described as a “Zero Event” or candidate event will be based in the scenic Limpopo Province, at the home of the very successful 2023 inaugural Waterberg 400. Race Headquarters and DSP will again be based at Koedoeskop School in the Northam area.
The picturesque town of Parys is next on the agenda for round four and five of the championship and will encompass much of the same as last year, however, some new terrain will be added to the menu, and promises to be a challenging but enjoyable event.
We stay in the Free State for the penultimate round of the championship and return to the Phakisa Raceway, where some new tracks and innovations by Race Director Evan Hutchison, who believes each event should present new and different challenges, will add some spice to proceedings.
Round seven, the final round of the SARRC will be hosted in semi-familiar terrain in the Rayton/Bronkhorstspruit area, with the Race Headquarters and DSP venue still to be confirmed.
“It may appear to have been a sluggish decision making process, however, there are countless factors that come into play, and it is important to make the best decisions in the interest of our competitors and our sport. I am confident the team are on the right track, and the 2024 season is sure to deliver on the success and adrenalin packed racing we have become accustomed to,” said Archie Rutherford CEO SA Rally-Raid Championship.
| DATE | ROUND | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| 19 – 20 APRIL | ONE | NKOMAZI 400 – MALELANE MPUMALANGA |
| 24 – 25 MAY | TWO | PROJECT NAME VRYHEID 400 – VRYHEID KZN |
| 21 – 23 JUNE | THREE | KOEDOESKOP SCHOOL THABAZIMBI REGION |
| 16 – 17 AUGUST | FOUR & FIVE | AFRIDOME PARYS |
| 13 – 14 SEPTEMBER | SIX | PHAKISA RACEWAY |
| 8 – 9 NOVEMBER | SEVEN | RAYTON / BRONKHORSTSPRUIT AREA |
