The 2025 SA Rally-Raid Championship might have started somewhat later than usual, but the action is already red-hot and with the opening round, the Renault KEC 400, paving the way for the season ahead, competitors are now preparing to take on the second and third rounds of the season.
The Ingco Parys 400 and the Ingco Vaal 400 will take place on 15 and 16 August in the Parys area in the Free State and with two days packed with racing action and the prospect of a healthy haul of points, it will be a test of planning, precision and the right strategy for teams who can reach the halfway mark of the season with a strong focus on the titles.
The two one-day events will consist of a short eight to ten kilometre Falken Wild Peak Prologue that will determine the starting order for the first of the two stages. The prologue of the Parys 400 on Friday will be followed by two stages of approximately 193 kilometres in distance for a total of approximately 394 kilometres. And with the first points for the weekend on the scoreboard, teams will start the preparation process for Saturday’s Vaal 400 where the short prologue will be followed by two stages of approximately 208 kilometres each.
It will be two busy days for the drivers and navigators in the Ultimate FIA T1+ and SA T1+ classes as well as the Adventurer, the Challenger and the SSV classes while spectators will be treated to top class racing action.
The Race Headquarters as well as the Designated Service Point (DSP) for both events will be situated at Stonehenge River Lodge on the banks of the Vaal River, a mere 110 kilometres from Johannesburg. Most of the racing action will, however, take competitors and spectators to the Parys area for this edition of the Ingco sponsored event, with more than 60% of the routes being all new – levelling the playing field for all.
According to the Race Director, Evan Hutchison, the type of terrain will be similar to what competitors have experienced in the past, but with so many sections still inaccessible due to heavy rain earlier in the season, teams can look forward to an almost new event.
The Parys events will present competitors with interesting and challenging routes that will again include fast and open sections and the well-known Free State terrain will make for exciting racing.
For the Ingco Parys 400 on Friday, the Falken Wild Peak Prologue will start at 08:00 at Stonehenge River Lodge while Stage One will get underway at 10:00 when the leading vehicle will take on the 193 kilometre stage. Upon completion of Stage One, teams will stop for a 30-minute de-control at the DSP at Stonehenge River Lodge before leaving for Stage Two in the same order they have arrived.
The race will finish at the lodge where the podium ceremonies will take place.
Service teams will hope for the race vehicles to be in a good shape despite the serious level of the racing, but a busy afternoon and a long night are probably on the cards for most to prepare for the Ingco Vaal 400 on Saturday. Teams will again be ready to take on the Falken Wild Peak Prologue at 08:00 with the first vehicle starting Stage One at 10:00. After completing the 208 kilometre stage, they will enter the DSP for the 30-minute de-control before taking on Stage Two with the finish at the lodge.
Two days and almost 800 kilometres of thrilling racing action with the goal to finish in the best possible position to score maximum points towards the standings, will guarantee spectators and followers an adrenaline packed race weekend. Add to that the chance to meet the racing heroes and experience their race vehicles from up close and the Ingco Parys 400 and Ingco Vaal 400 on 15 and 16 August are SA Rally-Raid events not to be missed.
Published by: Charmaine Fortune
Photography by: Dave Ledbitter
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