The Dakar Tour stopped off in Johannesburg to mark the end of the series of presentations for the 2013 edition of the rally.
As part of the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race, the Dakar Challenge kicked off with victory for the South African crew made up of Evan Hutchison and Dannie Stassen.
Saga Africa...
After the South American, European and Asian stages, the Dakar Tour went to meet the riders and drivers of South Africa. Pioneers like Alfie Cox and Giniel De Villiers have inspired others in this part of the continent.
The date had been set for Johannesburg with the small South African delegation present on the Dakar 2012. In addition to the regulars who finished the event in January, such as Darryl Curtis, 22nd in the overall bike standings in Lima, the all-terrain world seized the opportunity to display its interest for the Dakar. The visit of the Dakar Tour also allowed Xavier Gavory to collect not only signs of friendship but also many applications, which should reinforce the South African presence on the rally.
“For example, Darryl Curtis is planning on enrolling for 2013 with two young talented bikers,” explained the head of the competitor relations department. “In both the bike and car categories, plenty of ambitious projects could see the light of day, in both 2013 and 2014. The South Africans, who have a strong and extensive bush culture, are major fans of all-terrain in general and the desert in particular."
This observation was proved to be true during the entire weekend at Gaborone, in Botswana, where the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race, the main regional event in the discipline, took place. Duncan Vos, who drove his Toyota into 10th place on the last edition of the Dakar, was able to answer the often very technical questions asked by all those who are contemplating cutting their teeth on the Dakar. Amongst the applications, the rally may be welcoming a Zambian driver for the first time in 2013, giving the race an increasing international dimension.
Dakar challenge: the verdict in Botswana
As part of the South African all-terrain championships, the community of rally enthusiasts came together in Botswana for the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race, which also hosted the first act of the Dakar Challenge. Behind Duncan Vos, leader of the general standings, Evan Hutchison and Dannie Stassen, winners of the Challenge, earned their place on the Dakar.
After a solid performance, the thrills were immense. In Botswana, the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race represents the biggest event organized each year. For the occasion, the media’s attention was totally focused on the battles that lit up the Kalahari Bush, where 200,000 spectators spent the weekend. Such a resounding success before so many spectators is already a prestigious feat, but this year, the stakes of the Dakar Challenge added further spice.
Among the 23 crews enrolled for this “race within the race," it was Evan Hutchison, already South African champion last year, who stood out from the rest on the tracks.
“I couldn’t think of anything better than winning this race in my category for the first time and simultaneously booking my ticket on the next Dakar,” said Hutchison. “There is no doubt that I will be there."
Whilst Hutchison and Stassen have shown themselves to be competitive, they now need to concentrate on their next challenge and begin by finding a vehicle that will enable them to start out from Lima with the utmost chances of reaching Santiago two weeks later. This is because the BAT Venom with which they beat all their rivals on conclusion of three days of a very tight struggle in Gaborone does not comply with the technical rules of the Dakar. However, with this new line added to his roll of honour, Hutchison now has all the cards in his hand to find a suitable set of wheels.
From July 23 to 28, 2012, the Dakar Challenge will continue in South America on the Desafio Litoral race. Two places on the Dakar 2013 (in the bike and car categories) are up for grabs.
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