Century Racing brings its international experience back to South Africa for a six-car assault on the Century Property Developments – Century Racing 400
When the Century Property Developments – Century Racing 400 gets underway at Louvain Guest Farm this weekend, it will be about much more than another round of the South African Rally-Raid Championship.
For Century Racing, the event marks a significant return to the local championship, with the South African race car manufacturer bringing a six-car line-up to the Garden Route, including international competitors, established Century Racing machinery, emerging local talent and the South African debut of its new CR-X.
It is a reflection of how far the Century Racing programme has evolved – from its South African roots to an increasingly international operation, and now back to home soil.
“It is important for us to have a presence here in South Africa again,” says Julien Hardy, Century Racing CEO and Technical Director. “We have spent a lot of time competing internationally, which has been important for the development of Century Racing. But we are a South African company, and there is a strong rally-raid community here that has supported us from the beginning.”
The return comes shortly after the team’s international campaign in the United States, where Century Racing finished fifth overall in the demanding Vegas to Reno with its CR6-T.
“For us, Vegas to Reno was primarily a learning ground,” says Hardy. “To finish fifth overall was a very proud milestone. The CR6-T ran the whole race without any major issues, and we gained a lot of insight into what was required to compete over there. It was our first race on American soil, so the result gave us confidence that the car was capable of competing at that level.”
That experience will now be brought back into the local championship.
“Racing internationally exposes us to different types of challenges and different approaches to preparation. It also pushes us technically, constantly competing against teams with a lot of resources,” Hardy explains. “We bring that experience back with us, preparing for the next race with the lessons learnt at each event.”
Six cars, six stories
The six Century Racing vehicles represent a mix of the company’s racing portfolio, with the new CR-X lining up alongside two CR6s and three CR7s.
The unusually strong contingent is partly down to the attraction of the Louvain event and the fact that several European clients had their cars in South Africa for rebuilds, while local clients have also entered in support of the event.
“We are continuing to expand our presence not only globally but also with the amount of categories where our products are being raced,” says Hardy. “The CR-X is the latest addition to the family, but we equally want to see CR6s and CR7s competing in races.”
The line-up includes international clients Rick and Michiel, both experienced competitors who bring another dimension to the local field. Rick has previously raced in South Africa but this will be his first outing in almost a year following a back injury sustained in Morocco. For Michiel, it will be his first race on South African soil since Dakar earlier this year.
Then there is the much-anticipated South African debut of the CR-X, with Mark Corbett and his son Max behind the wheel.
“The car will only turn a wheel for the first time this week, so we will treat the event as a full-scale test,” says Hardy.
“From an engineering point of view, it is exciting to see the CR-X being tested in a South African race environment. We have developed the car with a specific purpose, and seeing how it performs against the cars we already know well will give us useful information.”
Young talent meets experience
Among the Century Racing contingent is 22-year-old Jayden Els, who has made significant progress this season.
After a difficult 2025 campaign, Els has finished both races he has contested this year, including a podium at Stella – a run that has transformed his confidence.
“Last year was really difficult for me. I had a lot of DNFs and struggled to get the car to the end of the race. This year has been really great so far,” says Els. “We have had two finishes from two races, including one podium, which is really great for my confidence.”
Despite his age, Els has 14-and-a-half years of racing experience and has his sights firmly set on the future.
“I have a huge drive and passion to win the Dakar one day, and I would not stop until that dream is achieved,” he says. “I will keep working as hard as I can to achieve that goal, and Century Racing has that same goal in mind as well.”
Els believes another podium is within reach at Louvain.
“In the T1+ FIA category, I feel confident. I think the pace we have shown throughout the last two races has proven that we stand a chance of getting another podium, even though the field is very competitive.”
He also relishes the opportunity to race alongside more experienced drivers.
“It is really cool to be driving against drivers who have a lot of experience. As young drivers, we can sometimes be a bit more fearless, whereas experience teaches you that to finish first, you first have to finish.”
A homecoming with a purpose
This is also the first time Century Racing has sponsored a South African Rally-Raid Championship event, extending its involvement beyond putting cars on the grid.
“It gives us the opportunity to be involved in the event from a different side,” says Hardy. “We can support the organisers, bring more of our team and cars to the event and create more opportunities around the race. For us as a team, that involvement is more important than simply having our name on the event.”
The choice of Louvain was an easy one. The event was voted the best on the 2025 championship calendar by competitors and is a race Century Racing itself enjoys.
For Els, having international competitors join the local field adds to the excitement.
“It is great to have two international teammates for this. We have a very competitive championship, and it is also great to see the interest from international competitors wanting to compete in our series,” he says.
With six Century Racing cars on the start line, a brand-new CR-X making its South African debut, international competitors, a young driver chasing another podium and the Corbett father-and-son pairing making its debut, there will be plenty to watch when racing gets underway at Louvain.
And while the team will undoubtedly be competing hard for the results, Hardy says the objective is bigger than any single car.
“Friendly rivalry between drivers is a given – we’re all here to race,” he says. “But we have a different philosophy at Century Racing: whether it’s a factory driver or a client that wins, it’s still a CR win.”
The Century Property Developments – Century Racing 400 takes place on 28 and 29 August at Louvain Guest Farm in the Garden Route.
PREPARED ON BEHALF OF SA RALLY RAID BY CATHY FINDLEY PUBLIC RELATIONS
Photography by: David Ledbitter
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