First Rally-Raid Championship event of the year kicked off in style in Malelane

The 24th and 25th of March 2023 marked the first Ralley Raid Championship event of the year, held in Malelane, South Africa. The off-road racing event was a huge success, with a time trial on the 24th and the race itself taking place on the 25th, consisting of 2 loops of about 184 kilometers for a total distance of just over 400 kilometers for both days.

The terrain was challenging, with dusty as well as wet sections throughout the race, showcasing the stunning mountain scenery that the area is known for. A big part of the race was through the sugar cane fields, adding to the beautiful scenery. However, the weather conditions were particularly harsh, with the hot and humid weather adding an extra challenge to the event.

The off-road racing event saw racers pushing themselves and their vehicles to the limit, with the challenging terrain testing their driving skills and endurance. The event brought together passionate drivers, marshals, and organizers, all working together to make the event a success.

In preparation for the event, some of the marshals had a challenging off-road experience when they had to take a repeater for the radio communications to the top of a mountain. Due to heavy rainfall, the road up the mountain was incredibly challenging, making the experience difficult but also lots of fun for the marshals. At one point a couple of hundred meters took nearly 2-3 hours to traverse.  But in the end and as usual the marshals prevailed and got the repeater to its destination.  It was all worth it when they were greeted by some spectacular views at the top of the mountain.

The Malelane off-road racing event was not only a great success for the racers but also for the marshals who had lots of fun and great stories to tell about the event around the fire in the evenings. The camaraderie and the love for off-road racing were evident throughout the event, with everyone working together to make the event a success.

The event was a fantastic start to the season, showcasing the beautiful scenery and challenging terrain that South Africa has to offer. The success of the event highlights the passion and dedication of those involved in the sport of off-road racing, with everyone working together to make the event a memorable experience.