Sports minister Gayton McKenzie during an interview SA minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie welcomed the news that South Africa will host a World Rally-Raid Championship race next year. Picture: Michael Sherman/IOL
Motorsport SA (MSA) and SA minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie on Saturday welcomed the decision to host a World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) race in South Africa.
The race will take place from May 18 to 24 next year. It will follow the Dakar Rally in January, which will mean Africa will host two major motorsport events in the same year.
The rally in May will be held in the Northwest and Limpopo, organised by MSA.
The race headquarters and event facilities will be based at Sun City next to the Pilanesberg National Park.
Motorsport SA (MSA) and SA minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie on Saturday welcomed the decision to host a World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) race in South Africa next year. @GaytonMcK
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“This event is going to boost tourism for South Africa, boost women in racing, generate income to grow the sport in South Africa, help to create jobs in rural areas and put the country back on the map for global motorsport,” said McKenzie.
“In our quest to secure the return of Formula One, a successful Safari Rally will only help to strengthen our burgeoning relationship with the FIA,” said McKenzie referring to SA’s hopes of hosting a Formula One event for the first time since 1993.
The Patriotic Alliance leader McKenzie went on to thank MSA who were pivotal in helping the country win the right to host the motorsport event.
SA Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) chief executive Archie Rutherford said: “This is an extremely exciting and very proud moment for us as organisers of the SA Rally-Raid Championship and the numerous South Africans competing in the Dakar Rally and other international events.
“This unique event will feature diverse terrain, with the race route traversing some of the most stunning bushveld plateaus, river crossings, and savannah plains, encompassing an exceptional experience for all in the areas of Sun City, Thabazimbi and the agricultural heart of Northwest.”