The 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) is heading to South Africa. This is the first time the series will visit Sub-Saharan Africa. The news was made public by the FIA and the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture in South Africa. The five-round 2025 W2RC calendar was approved on Wednesday 2 October by the World Motor Sport Council.

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The W2RC, is now in its fourth season. The series kicks off with the most grueling, and best known event, the Dakar Rally in January. Competitors will head to South Africa in May, an event which replaces Argentina on the five-round schedule. The SA round of W2RC will take place from 18-24 May 2025. The Sun City Resort, in the North West Province, will be the central point for the multi-day race.

Click here to read why the Dakar Rally is such a compelling race to follow.

Local fans will get to see many racing heroes we usually only get to watch on TV, race on local soil. With the race taking place here, we’re likely to see many SA racing heroes, such as former Dakar Rally winner Giniel de Villiers compete as well. We’ll also get to see the top-spec off-road machines at full flight. Next year’s series will include a new Ford factory entry. In addition there is a Dacia entry led by Sebastien Loeb. Of course, Toyota will be in full force as well.

In Their Own Words

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, made the following statement regarding the addition of SA to the calendar.

“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. 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.

Click here to read about the difficulties facing a potential F1 race of taking place in South Africa.

“We stand ready to support the Safari Rally to deliver a world-class event for fans, sponsors, broadcasters and the racing community at large, because we are aware that this is a massive event that will require great commitment and all hands-on deck to pull off perfectly – which we will.”

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem: “It is pleasing to see the inclusion of South Africa in the calendar, and I look forward to following the action amidst the untamed landscapes Africa has to offer. The 2025 cross-country rally season will feature seasoned competitors and new challengers showcasing the FIA’s innovative technologies, all set against some of the most magnificent environments on the planet.”

Image: FIA