Desert Race Might Return in 2025
In a development that comes as no surprise to local motorsport and rally enthusiasts, the SA Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) CEO, Archie Rutherford has officially confirmed that the 2024 edition of the Toyota Gazoo Racing 1000 Desert Race will not take place in Botswana. Speculation had been rife since last year that the marathon 1000km event would return to South Africa, leaving local fans to miss out on the high-stakes rally racing thrills in Botswana's sandy desert terrains.
This week, a joint press release from Botswana Tourism and the South African Rally-Raid Championship offered a glimmer of hope that the hugely popular event might return to local shores next year. “This popular event for many years was hosted in Botswana. However, due to the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, the event relocated to Upington in the Northern Cape in 2021 and 2022, returning to Botswana in 2023,” the press release reads.
The SARRC, regarded as one of the largest and most professionally managed Rally-Raid Championships in the world, has been granted the opportunity to host a nominee or candidate event in South Africa in 2024. This aims to position it for recognition as a round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (2RWRC) in 2025.
"Receiving this honor as the SA Rally-Raid Championship is a huge privilege for us. It's an opportunity we couldn't pass up, but sadly, it means we won't be able to host the popular event in Botswana in 2024. However, I want to assure Botswana and the thousands of enthusiastic motorsport fans that discussions with various stakeholders, led by Botswana Tourism Organisation, are ongoing for a 2025 event," said Rutherford.
The SA Rally-Raid Championship has emphasized that the race has become a hallmark event, fostering economic growth and showcasing the natural richness of Botswana. “The event has consistently proven to be a driving force in injecting vitality into local businesses, boosting the tourism sector, and contributing to the development of motorsport in Botswana,” they stated.
The 1000km Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, dubbed the TGR Safari 1000, is expected to take place this weekend in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The last TGR 1000 event held in the mining town of Jwaneng last
year ended on a rather sad note when up to 50 cars belonging to local spectators were burnt to ashes at a designated parking lot.
This dramatic incident made headlines that eclipsed the well-organized racing event that had just thrilled fans the previous three days. Both local and South African organizers have since called into question the behavior and conduct of local fans during the event.