From the vineyards of Stellenbosch to the dunes of Dakar, 23-year-old Puck Klaassen’s rise in rally-raid has been anything but conventional. In just a few short years, she has gone from local motorsport enthusiast to one of the sport’s most exciting young talents – and now, a Dakar stage winner.
Away from the cockpit, Klaassen is grounded, driven and constantly in motion. Raised on a small wine farm, she has recently taken up winemaking as a hobby, balancing her time between studying a BA in business administration and digital innovation, and pursuing her racing career. “I’ve always loved being active and outdoors,” she says. “For me it’s about finding a balance between enjoying life, travelling, and staying focused on my goals.”
Motorsport has always been part of her DNA. Growing up in South Africa, Klaassen was introduced to bikes and go-karts by her father Sebastiaan Klaassen, alongside her siblings. While she briefly stepped away from racing to pursue show jumping – competing up to 1.40m – the pull of motorsport never faded. “Looking back, that break made me realise that racing has always been my biggest passion,” she reflects.
Her entry into rally-raid was as bold as it was unexpected. With no prior experience in cars or navigation, Klaassen lined up at the Dakar Classic after just months of preparation. “We really threw ourselves in the deep end,” she admits. “The goal was simply to finish.”
What followed was a steep learning curve – adapting from the intensity of motocross to the endurance and strategy of rally-raid. “It’s completely different. You’re racing for hours, working closely with a co-driver, and constantly thinking ahead. The biggest lesson for me was patience.”
That patience paid off. In only her second year in the sport, Klaassen claimed a Dakar stage victory – becoming one of a select group of women to achieve the feat. “It was one of the highlights of my life. Just competing at Dakar felt unbelievable, so to win a stage so early on was something I never expected.”
The result has strengthened her belief, but not changed her mindset. “It gave me confidence that I can compete at that level, but I realise I still have a lot to learn.”
Central to her success is the partnership with her co-driver Augusto Sanz from Argentina. “Trust and communication are everything,” she explains. “You rely on each other completely over long stages, and that relationship really impacts performance.”
Klaassen also credits her development to the demanding conditions closer to home. Training and racing in South Africa – and extensively in Namibia – has been instrumental in fast tracking her success. “The terrain is tough and unforgiving, and the level of competition is incredibly high. It builds mental strength and teaches you to adapt quickly. It’s the perfect preparation for Dakar.”
That connection to home remains a key part of her journey, with Klaassen set to compete in the South African Rally-Raid Championship this season. “It’s really special for me. I spend a lot of time racing overseas, so to be back in South Africa around familiar terrain and people is something I love. There’s also extra motivation – you really want to perform well at home. It’s always great to have local support and have some of the best stages so close to home.”
She emphasises the importance of the local championship in her overall development. “The level is really high in South Africa and the terrain is super demanding, so it’s perfect for staying sharp. It gives me proper race mileage and helps me to keep improving between bigger international races. It’s not just preparation, it’s proper competition, which is exactly what you need going into Dakar or World Rally-Raid Championship events. I’m really excited to get going again with the championship and see what the stages are like this year.”
Her breakthrough moment on the international stage came at the Abu Dhabi round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, where she surprised even herself. “I went in with no expectations and finished the prologue in P4. That’s when I realised I could compete at that level.”
While she acknowledges the pressures of being a female driver in a demanding discipline, Klaassen remains focused on performance. “At the start I felt I had to prove myself more, but now it’s about improving and letting the results speak.”
Looking ahead, her ambitions are clear. With a strong team behind her, Klaassen is targeting consistent front-running performances, with a Dakar podium firmly in sight. Longer term, her goal is to step up to the top-tier Ultimate (T1+) class.
For now, she remains focused on the journey.
“Dakar teaches you to never give up,” she says. “It’s unpredictable, it’s tough, but that’s what makes it so special. You just keep pushing forward.”
From local roots to the global stage, Klaassen’s story is still being written, and it’s one rally-raid fans will be watching closely.
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF SA RALLY RAID BY CATHY FINDLEY PUBLIC RELATIONS
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