The Dacia Sandriders team is gearing up for an exciting new challenge as they embark on the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) season, with the highly anticipated South African Safari Rally making its debut as part of the series from May 18–24. Hosted by Sun City, the event marks a historic milestone for the W2RC, with the team prepared to take on a new and varied terrain that will test their limits and push their capabilities to the maximum.
A New African Adventure
After an exhilarating 2024 season, where the Dacia Sandriders captured their first victory at the Rallye du Maroc, and a dominant triumph at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge earlier this year, the team is ready to take on the next challenge: the South African Safari Rally. While the rally is a new addition to the W2RC calendar, it represents a familiar terrain for the team—Africa. In fact, it was the continent where they tasted victory for the first time. But this new event promises a very different set of hurdles for the team, with a mix of gravel tracks, savanna, dense bush, and mountain sections.
For team principal Tiphanie Isnard, the excitement is tempered with caution and humility. “We approach this event with humility but with a clear aim,” she said. “It’s a completely different profile from what we’ve experienced so far, and we know we’re entering a new challenge. We haven’t competed in South Africa before, so we’re focusing on getting the experience we need.”
Al-Attiyah and Loeb: Pushing the Limits
At the heart of the team’s ambition are two seasoned drivers: Nasser Al-Attiyah and Sébastien Loeb. Both bring invaluable experience to the team, though this event will test them in ways they have not yet experienced in the W2RC.
Nasser Al-Attiyah, fresh from his win at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, enters the South African Safari Rally with a clear objective: to maintain his lead in the W2RC standings. “Although it’s new terrain for the Dacia Sandrider, we start the South African Safari Rally with confidence because the team has done a very good job to prepare for this event, which we know won’t be easy,” Al-Attiyah commented. “The most important objective will be to keep our positions at the halfway point of the season. I’m excited to experience this new event, having tested for another manufacturer in the country a few years ago.”
For Sébastien Loeb, who has had a rocky start to the season, the South African Safari Rally represents a mission of redemption. “The objective for me is clear: after being unable to finish the first two events of the season, I want to get all the way to the end in South Africa,” Loeb explained. “If we can finish the event that will already represent a good result for us. But at the same time, I also want to reproduce the performance that was there in the Middle East but avoid the mistakes that held us back on rounds one and two.”
Preparation for the Challenge
While the team has shown remarkable resilience in the desert rally challenges thus far, the South African Safari Rally presents a completely different kind of test. With mixed terrain ranging from open savanna to densely vegetated sections, and even the possibility of deep water crossings, the Dacia Sandriders have left no stone unturned in preparing their cars for this rugged adventure.
Technical director Philip Dunabin outlined the modifications made to the Dacia Sandrider Ultimate category cars in preparation for the unique demands of the South African terrain. “We know there will be a variety of terrain and places with overhanging vegetation that can break the bodywork and windscreen. So, we’ve made modifications to the front of the car to protect from branches and other obstacles,” Dunabin said. “Additionally, we’ve strengthened the air intake system with snorkels to ensure the engine runs efficiently even during water crossings.”
Given the elevation of the stages, which range from 1000 to 1500 meters above sea level, the team has also fine-tuned the engine mapping to ensure optimal performance across all terrains. The focus on reliability and durability ensures that the team’s two Dacia Sandriders are more than ready for the demanding rally.
The Road Ahead: A Test of Endurance
The South African Safari Rally is a multi-stage event, with each day offering its own set of challenges. Starting with a 25-kilometer Prologue on May 19, followed by Stage 1, a 285-kilometer timed loop, and the Marathon Stage, which runs over two days, competitors will face a grueling 2,759 kilometers of racing, including challenging gravel roads, tough climbs, and the unpredictable South African weather.
For the Dacia Sandriders, the goal is clear: finish strong, gain invaluable experience, and continue to build momentum for the rest of the season. “Above all, we head to South Africa with the aim of gaining crucial experience and knowledge of this type of terrain,” Isnard concluded.
A Historic Event
The South African Safari Rally is set to be a thrilling spectacle for motorsport fans around the world, as teams from all corners of the globe prepare to tackle one of the toughest challenges in rally-raid history. For the Dacia Sandriders, it’s not just about competing—it’s about learning, evolving, and cementing their place as contenders in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship.
With the stage set and the team ready to take on the adventure, the Dacia Sandriders are poised to make their mark in South Africa.
The Big Number: 2,759
The inaugural South African Safari Rally spans a total of 2,759 kilometers, testing the endurance of both drivers and machines in one of the world’s most unpredictable environments.
