As the Dakar Rally 2024 nears, an exceptional phenomenon is unfolding. More than half of the entries, a mix of veteran and fresh contenders, hail from South Africa, showcasing the country's growing prowess in the motorsport arena.
This article delves into the details of this remarkable South African presence, the teams, the machines, and the challenging journey they will embark on in the unforgiving dunes of Saudi Arabia.
South African Might in the Dakar Rally
The Lineup:
The 2024 Dakar Rally, set to kick off on January 5th, will see a significant South African influence. Out of the 72 cars competing, 38 are proudly South African-made, including 23 Toyota Hiluxes, 12 Centurys, three Red-Lined, and two Ford Rangers. This is a testament to South Africa's engineering excellence and passion for motorsports.
The Crews:
Not just the machines, but the drivers and navigators too carry the South African legacy. Twelve South Africans will be either driving or navigating, supported by a robust team of compatriots in the bivouac, ensuring a strong community spirit throughout the race.
Spotlight on the Contenders
Toyota Gazoo Racing:
The double reigning champions are back with five Kyalami Hallspeed Dakar Hiluxes. Giniel de Villiers, Dennis Murphy, Guy Botterill, Brett Cummings, and rookie Saood Variawa, with French navigator Francois Cazalet, form the core team, backed by international crews.
Ford’s Return:
Marking their official return, Neil Woolridge Racing's M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Rangers, developed for rally raid, are ready to make an impact. The team includes South African rookie crew Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer, alongside Spanish Dakar legend Nani Roma and Alex Haro Bravo.
Century Racing’s Dual Effort:
Johannesburg-based Century Racing is fielding an all-new all-wheel drive T1+ class CR7-T and a rear-driven CR6-T, driven by South African and French crews respectively. They’re joined by ten privateer Century buggies from around the world.
Red-Lined’s Diverse Lineup:
Kyalami's Red-Lined machines, including the amateur T1.1 class winner from 2023, feature an international team, including Chinese T1.2 class winner Wei Han and Li Ma, Belgian rookie Stefan Carmans, and South African notes man Riaan Greyling.
The Route and Challenge
The Journey:
Spanning from January 5th to 19th, the rally will cover a staggering 7,891 km, starting with a 157 km prologue around Al-Ula. The route promises a blend of arduous terrains and taxing conditions, pushing the competitors to their limits.
The Competition:
While South African teams are a dominant force, they face formidable opponents like reigning champions Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel, and nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb. Audi Sport's petrol-electric hybrids and the X-Raid Minis are also in contention.
Innovation and Sustainability
Dakar Mission 1000:
This new category for alternative energies will see nine vehicles, including fully electric, hydrogen, and hybrid cars, race in ten 100 km sections, highlighting the rally’s commitment to sustainability and technological advancement.
A Gruelling Test:
Race director David Castera emphasizes the challenge, with a two-day ‘48h chrono’ marathon stage posing a unique test for competitors, who will have no contact with their teams during this period.
Conclusion
As the 2024 Dakar Rally approaches, the spotlight is on South Africa's impressive lineup of cars and crews. Their presence not only underscores the country's automotive and motorsport capabilities but also adds an exciting dimension to this already challenging race.
The Dakar Rally remains a testament to human endurance, skill, and the relentless pursuit of victory against the most daunting of landscapes.
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