The South African Rally-Raid Championship has shifted confidently into 2026 following a milestone 2025 season that elevated the sport both nationally and internationally.
The momentum was evident at the 2025 Annual Awards evening, hosted at Bryanston Country Club on 19 February, where the championship’s top competitors, teams and partners were honoured after one of the most competitive and globally significant seasons in recent history.
For SA Rally Raid CEO, Archie Rutherford, the evening was more than a celebration – it marked a defining chapter in the evolution of South African rally-raid.
“The highlight of the 2025 season was firmly placing South Africa on the international rally-raid stage,” said Rutherford. “Hosting a round of the World Rally-Raid Championship was a major milestone. The feedback from the FIA, international teams and competitors was overwhelmingly positive. The global racing community has taken note that South Africa can host a world championship event and we believe there is more to come.”
Honouring excellence across the classes
The Challenger category once again demonstrated the depth of talent emerging through the ranks, with Puck Klaassen and Gerhard Schutte securing top honours ahead of Henk Klaassen/Danie Stassen and Pim Klaassen/Rodney Burke.
In the Adventurer class, Johan van Staden and Adriaan Roets claimed the championship, followed by Johan de Bruyn/Sean van Staden and Gerhard Heinlein/Rudi Heinlein underscoring the competitive spirit that defines the category.
The Ultimate SA T1+ category delivered high-performance engineering and tight battles throughout the year, with Marko Himmel and Francois Schoonbee taking the title ahead of Johan Horn/Werner Horn and Philip Botha/Andries Mynhardt.
In the premier Ultimate FIA T1+ category, Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet emerged victorious after a season-long duel with Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer. Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena Valdearcos completed the podium.
The Overall Championship standings reflected the intensity of the title race, with Variawa/Cazalet crowned champions, Woolridge/Dreyer second, and Giniel de Villiers/Oriol Mena Valdearcos third.
The Constructor Award was presented to Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, whose consistency and depth across the season were reflected in multiple podium finishes and a dominant showing at the championship finale.
Meanwhile, the Outeniqua 400 at Louvain Guest Farm was named Event of the Year – recognised for its challenging terrain, organisation and regional impact.
Youth, rivalry and resilience define 2025
One of the most compelling storylines of the season was the rise of 20-year-old Saood Variawa, who secured his first national title in only his second year competing in the series.
“The rise of young talent like Saood is hugely significant for the future of the sport,” Rutherford said. “To see a 20-year-old demonstrate that level of composure, maturity and technical understanding shows that rally-raid in South Africa has a very strong future. He is not just fast – he is strategic and disciplined as witnessed again with his placement at Dakar.”
The championship battle between Variawa/Cazalet and Woolridge/Dreyer became one of the tightest in recent memory, ultimately decided at the dramatic season finale – the Northam Zondereinde Bushveld 400.
“The Northam finale was a true cliffhanger,” Rutherford reflected. “From an organisational perspective, it delivered everything rally-raid is known and loved for – strategy, resilience and unpredictability.”
The Thabazimbi terrain proved unforgiving, featuring dry riverbeds, muddy spring patches and punishing bushveld sections that tested both man and machine. Mechanical failures, destroyed windscreens and late punctures added further drama — a reminder of the discipline’s inherent unpredictability.
“Events like Northam highlight the true nature of rally-raid racing. It’s a sport where resilience under pressure defines champions,” he says,
Sponsors and stakeholders driving growth
Rutherford emphasised that the championship’s growth would not be possible without sustained sponsor support.
“Championships of this scale are simply not possible without committed sponsors. They are critical not just financially, but in elevating professionalism, technical development and global competitiveness. Their support allows us to build a sustainable national sporting platform.”
The 2025 season also reinforced the championship’s broader role as a mobile economic driver for rural towns, with host regions benefiting from tourism, hospitality and local business activation around each event.
Looking ahead to 2026, the 2026 calendar promises another demanding and diverse season, with events scheduled across multiple provinces. Rutherford says like most race organisers the calendar has had to be slightly readjusted and rerouted to make an allowance for the deadly Foot and Mouth epidemic devastating the country. “Most cattle farms are now in self-quarantine. This makes it impossible for us to race, especially in the Northwest Province where there are many cattle farms,” says Rutherford.
Confirmed schedule is as follows:
- Round One: Outeniqua 1000 Marathon (8–10 May)
- Round Two: INGCO Parys 400 & Vaal 400 (19–20 June)
- Round Three: Rayton–Bronkhorstspruit 400 (24–25 July)
- Round Four: 28 – 29 August (Reserve Location TBC)
- Round Five: Vryheid 400 (9–10 October)
- Round Six: Northam Zondereinde Bushveld 400 (13–14 November)
With South Africa now firmly recognised on the global rally-raid stage, the championship enters 2026 with confidence and renewed ambition.
“To our teams, sponsors, organisers and fans – thank you,” Rutherford concluded. “Your commitment and passion are what drive this championship forward. As we enter 2026, we do so with momentum, credibility and growing international recognition.”
Caption 1: The Ultimate SA T1+ category delivered high-performance engineering and tight battles throughout the year, with Marko Himmel and Francois Schoonbee taking the title. Pictured from left: Andries Mynhardt, Philip Botha, Tarryn Knight (Ford), Werner & Johan Horn, Marko Himmel 
Caption 2: The Challenger category once again demonstrated the depth of talent emerging through the ranks, with Puck Klaassen and Gerhard Schutte securing top honours. Pictured from left: Henk Klaassen, Craig Lovell (iCam), Pim Klaasen 
Caption 3: In the Adventurer class, Johan van Staden and Adriaan Roets claimed the championship, followed by Johan de Bruyn/Sean van Staden and Gerhard Heinlein/Rudi Heinlein underscoring the competitive spirit that defines the category. Pictured from left: Gerhard & Rudi Heinlein, Abrie Olivier (VAPS HCV), Adriaan Roets, Sean and Johan van Staaden 
Caption 4: In the premier Ultimate FIA T1+ category, Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet emerged victorious. Pictured from left Guy Botterill, Lance Woolridge (on behalf of Gareth Woolridge), Saood Variawa and Sandra Labuscagne-Jonck from SA Rally Raid 
Caption 5: The Overall Championship standings reflected the intensity of the title race with Saood Variawa scooping overall honours. Pictured from left Lance Woolridge (on behalf of Gareth), Saood Variawa and Archie Rutherford. 
Caption 6: The Outeniqua 400 at Louvain Guest Farm was named Event of the Year. Award received by SA Rally Raid Race Director, Evan Hutchinson on their behalf 
Caption 7: Archie Rutherford, CEO of SA Rally Raid congratulated all the champions on their achievement in one of the toughest and closest seasons in recent years. 2025 was a landmark year placing SA Rally on the global map. 
Caption 8: The Constructor Award was presented to Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, whose consistency and depth across the season were reflected in multiple podium finishes and a dominant showing at the championship finale. Shameer Variawa pictured here with Archie Rutherford.
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF SA RALLY RAID BY CATHY FINDLEY PUBLIC RELATIONS
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