The unforgiving spirit of rally-raid racing finds a bold new stage in 2025 as South Africa prepares to host the inaugural South African Safari Rally (SASR), part of the prestigious World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). From 18 to 24 May, the world’s elite drivers, navigators, and riders will converge on the Sun City resort in the North West Province, ready to tackle a meticulously curated route that promises not just spectacular scenery, but a brutal, beautiful test of human and mechanical endurance.
Presented by Toyota Gazoo Racing, the SASR marks a significant milestone for South African motorsport—offering a rally-raid route that stands proudly among the most challenging in the world. It’s a fusion of raw terrain, world-class competition, and African wilderness that demands grit, resilience, and razor-sharp skill.
Charting the Course: Over 4,000 Kilometres of Pure Rally-Raid Grit
Behind the scenes, the foundation of this historic event was laid by Evan Hutchison, SASR Route Director and a celebrated figure in South African rally-raid circles. Alongside representatives from Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)—the global promoter of the FIA and FIM World Rally-Raid Championship—Hutchison led an intensive reconnaissance mission earlier this year to finalise the route.
“We left Johannesburg on 17 March and returned on 1 April after covering 4,270 km through some of the most challenging terrain I have ever encountered,” said Hutchison. “We didn’t traverse well-travelled sand roads and routes. We opted for rough, uncharted terrain chosen to challenge the most capable off-road cars and motorcycles in the world.”
The route is a living tribute to the essence of rally-raid. From dense bushland and rugged rock formations to fast-flowing riverbeds, the terrain offers a continuous cycle of unpredictability and adrenaline. It’s not a race for the faint-hearted—it’s a test for champions.
Tyres, Terrain, and Tenacity
Taming this terrain required more than experience; it demanded the right tools. The route scouting team travelled in two Toyota Hilux 4x4s, each fitted with Falken WildPeak M/T 265/70 R17 mud-terrain tyres—a partnership forged with purpose, as Falken Tyres also sponsors the Prologue stages of the 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC).
“Most importantly, we fitted Falken WildPeak M/T tyres on both Hiluxes,” Hutchison explained. “Punctures and sidewall damage are the norm on a trip like this, but we completed 8,540 km on the two vehicles without a single tyre issue. That’s unheard of in conditions like these.”
Even with heavy rains turning parts of the trail into mud traps, the team pressed on. “We got stuck numerous times,” Hutchison admitted, “but without a capable mud-terrain tyre like the Falken WildPeak M/T, we would have been stuck a lot more—and wasted time and energy we simply didn’t have.”
A Rally Like No Other
When the rally gets underway with the Prologue on 19 May, competitors will face five grueling stages spread across the North West Province. Though drier weather is expected, the terrain’s natural difficulty guarantees an arduous path to victory.
From international factory teams to seasoned privateers, every entrant will be chasing glory against the backdrop of one of Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Yet, while the surroundings may be beautiful, the challenge will be unrelenting.
As the countdown to the South African Safari Rally begins, one thing is certain: South Africa is ready to deliver a world-class rally-raid event that honours the spirit of the sport—and redefines the limits of endurance.
Entries for the SASR close on 30 April 2025. To those brave enough to take on the challenge: the road awaits.
