The Dacia Sandriders team continues to prove its mettle in the 2024 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), securing a second-place finish at the South African Safari Rally — their third podium in just four events. After five grueling days and 1,197 competitive kilometres across the rugged terrain of the North West Province, Sébastien Loeb and co-driver Fabien Lurquin steered their sustainably fuelled Sandrider to a narrow runner-up finish, just 1 minute and 39 seconds shy of victory.
The result cements Dacia’s status as a serious contender in the rally-raid world, with both its performance and resilience standing up to the punishing African conditions. For a team in only its first full season, and one committed to redefining the rally essentials through sustainable innovation, this is a significant milestone.
Podium in the Heart of Safari Country
The South African Safari Rally, a first for the W2RC and Dacia Sandriders alike, proved to be a masterclass in adaptation. Far removed from the sand dunes that typically define rally raids, this event demanded a different skill set — one that rewarded agility, precision, and consistency over rocky savannahs and narrow farmland trails.
After shadowing local hero Henk Lategan closely through the penultimate stage, Loeb and Lurquin entered the final day just 39 seconds adrift following a time adjustment by officials. The French duo pushed hard through the last 111 kilometres, trimming the gap to under a minute at one point. Ultimately, they crossed the finish line second — a hard-earned and celebrated result after five days of intense competition.
“It was more like WRC racing than a traditional desert rally,” said Loeb. “The car handled really well, the fight was intense, and I’m happy to finish on the podium. The atmosphere here was amazing. It’s only my second time in South Africa, and the first for rally-raid — the landscapes and people made it special.”
Al-Attiyah Stages Remarkable Recovery
For teammate Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Édouard Boulanger, the rally was a tale of blistering pace and unfortunate penalties. Despite missing two waypoints and receiving a combined 17-minute time penalty, the Qatari legend clawed back time with two stage wins — including a commanding drive in the finale where he finished nearly two minutes ahead of Toyota’s Lucas Moraes.
Had it not been for the penalties, Al-Attiyah would have been in firm contention for the overall win. Instead, he finishes outside the top three overall, but crucially retains the lead in the W2RC standings with 114 points — 20 clear of his nearest rival.
“We did an amazing job despite the challenges,” Al-Attiyah remarked. “Winning two stages and leaving South Africa with a 20-point lead is important. We also added valuable points to the manufacturers’ tally, and that’s key for the team.”
Strategic Gains in the Championship Battle
Despite the setbacks, The Dacia Sandriders team achieved its strategic objectives: securing vital championship points and maintaining strong positions in all three categories — Driver, Navigator, and Manufacturer.
The team now sits second in the manufacturers’ championship with 206 points, while Loeb and Lurquin — despite a retirement earlier in the season — are now ninth in the driver and co-driver rankings with 40 points.
Tiphanie Isnard, Team Principal, praised the team’s resilience:
“To be in front of cars built for these conditions is a really good result. This was our first time racing in South Africa, and the terrain was unlike anything we’ve faced so far. We leave here stronger, more experienced, and even more motivated.”
Key Moments That Defined the Rally
Stage 1 saw Loeb open the road and manage a third-place finish after penalties for rivals. Al-Attiyah, meanwhile, was demoted from fourth to ninth due to a two-minute penalty.
Stage 2 was the longest of the rally, with Al-Attiyah setting the fourth-fastest time only to be penalised again for a missed waypoint, costing him a provisional lead.
Stage 3 brought redemption as Al-Attiyah stormed to his 44th career stage win. Loeb surged into the overall lead, setting the stage for a thrilling final showdown.
Stage 4 featured strategic battles and mechanical survival, with Loeb narrowing the gap to Lategan to just over a minute, while Al-Attiyah battled unfavourable road conditions after being first out of the gate.
Stage 5, the decider, delivered drama and speed in equal measure. With times adjusted and the margin down to 39 seconds, Loeb pushed relentlessly but couldn’t overhaul the local favourite. Al-Attiyah, meanwhile, delivered a performance masterclass to secure his 45th W2RC stage win — a number that highlights his enduring dominance.
Looking Ahead: Portugal and Morocco
With three rounds completed, the W2RC now heads into its decisive final leg, with Portugal and Morocco rounding off the calendar. The Dacia Sandriders have already demonstrated that they can adapt, compete, and thrive — whether across dunes or dense bushveld.
As the dust settles over Sun City, one thing is clear: the Sandriders are not here to make up the numbers — they’re here to redefine rally-raid on their own terms.
W2RC Standings After Round 3
Drivers
- Nasser Al-Attiyah – 114 pts
- [Next competitor] – 94 pts
- Sébastien Loeb – 40 pts
Manufacturers
- [Team A] – [Points TBD]
- The Dacia Sandriders – 206 pts
Next Round: Portugal Rally-Raid – September 2024
