The fight for national titles in the Special Vehicle Category of the South African Rally-Raid Championship are not over yet and the Parys 400 that takes place on 11 and 12 November, will present competitors with the final two chances to earn valuable points towards the overall and class championships.
A compact but quality field will gather at the Parys Airfield from where rounds six and seven will challenge the teams over two days and a total of almost 700 kilometres, and those with nerves of steel who can keep it together under testing conditions, will most probably be the ones who will leave the Free State with a smile.
Former champions, Tim Howes and Gary Campbell (Timdrew Property Developments BAT Spec 4) have deservingly secured the overall title, with results that include three race victories. They are, however, not out of the woods regarding the Class A title, as Lood du Preez/Chris Visser Jnr (Farmers Meat Stryker) are close enough to overtake them should they put a wheel wrong.
And while Du Preez/Visser Jnr will be chasing Howes/Campbell, they will have to keep an eye on Trace Price Moor/Shaun Braithwaite (Tip Top Milk BAT Venom) who will travel to Parys lying third in Class A, and a chance to finish the season as the runners-up. Good results could see Team Labuscagne-Jonck/Jonck, Sandra and Jaco (KEC Racing BAT Viper) move up in the standings, while the first points of the season will be a perfect way for LC de Jager/Rikus Hattingh (BAT Spec 2) to see the season out. Eugene Bierman/Pieter Visser will make their SARRC debut in a BAT Spec 2 and might spring a surprise on the regulars.
Consistency is usually the name of the game and it has been exactly what the Mostert father and son duo of Werner and Ian (Moto-Netix Racing Can-Am Maverick) have been up to in Class G. It will be a busy weekend for the team who would like to keep their runner-up position in the overall standings, although they will have their hands full with Class A teams Du Preez/Visser Jnr and Price Moor/Braithwaite chasing them. And as the leaders in Class G, they will have to fend off Geoff Minnitt/Gerhard Snyman (Hydro Power Equipment Can-Am Maverick) who have two race wins behind their names, but could not finish the fifth round.
Minnitt/Snyman will have their own share of pressure to deal with as they are in a position to close the points’ gap to the Mostert’s in Class G while they can even jump a few places from their current fifth place in the overall standings to finish the season on the podium.
Good points can also result in a few more Class G teams to move up on the overall leader-board, while the current order in the Class G championship can easily change depending on the outcome of the two races. Glen Theron/Craig Galvin (Moto-Netix Racing Can-Am Maverick) are currently rounding off the podium, but they will be chased by Francois de Wit/Ewald van Rensburg (Can-Am Maverick) who are only three points behind in fourth place as well as the outgoing champions, Cecil and Elardus Larney (Can-Am Maverick) who are a further eight points back.
In Class P, Quentin Lessing/Noel Acton (Century CR-T) are the 2022 champions and they will be up against Grant Watkins, who will be making a welcome comeback after not competing for a few years with Mark Irvine reading him the notes in the Zarco.
On Friday, the Parys 400 will get underway at 07:30 when a 12 kilometre Pirelli Qualifying Race to determine the starting positions for the first of the two 153 kilometre loops. The Start/Finish as well as the Designated Service Park (DSP) and Race Headquarters will be situated at the Parys Airfield from where Loop One will start at 09:30. After completion of the loop, teams will return to the DSP for a 30 minute service break before taking on the loop again.
The final round of the 2022 season will start at 07:30 on Saturday with the results of the 12 kilometre Pirelli Qualifying Race determining the starting order. As per Round Six, the leading ten teams will draw their positions for the line-up of the first of the two 172 kilometre loops with the action starting at 09:30. Competitors will have a 30 minute break after the first loop with the podium formalities taking place at the Parys Airfield after they have completed the loop again.
The racing action can be viewed from vantage points along the route while spectators can also get up close to the action at the DSP. The Parys 400 can also be followed on the RallySafe App that is available as a free download on the App Store or Google Play Store.

Source: SARRC
Images: Andre Schoeman

After an intense five rounds of the 2022 SA Rally-Raid Championship, it is time for the Parys 400, the final two rounds of the season that takes place on 11 and 12 November from the Parys Airfield in the Free State, and although eyes will be on the battles at the front of the Production Vehicle Category, there will also be focus on the various intricate situations in the overall as well as the FIA T1+, T1, T1.2, and T championships.

With Round Six taking place on Friday and Round Seven on Saturday, two full days of racing awaits competitors and teams. Strategy, clear heads and calm nerves will play fundamental roles in the outcome of the championships while a little luck – or the lack thereof – can eventually make the difference between disappointment and jubilation.

Gunning for their fourth Overall Production Vehicle Championship as well as the FIA T1+ title, will be Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings (Toyota Gazoo Racing SA DKR Hilux T1+), but they will have their work cut out as their team-mates and current class leaders, Giniel de Villiers/Dennis Murphy, would like nothing more than to add these titles to their names after a title drought for a few seasons.

Murphy will, however, not compete at Parys due to a broken arm and will be replaced by Rodney Burke. Both teams have had their share of bad luck during the season and a fierce battle can be expected.
Their team-mates, Shameer Variawa/Danie Stassen and Guy Botterill/Simon Vacy-Lyle, have both been on the podium and will fight it out for the final step of the overall and FIA T1+ podiums. They will have to do this while keeping an eye on the consistent Gareth Woolridge/Boyd Dreyer (NWM Ford Castrol T1+ Ranger) as a good result for the Ford team, could also make a difference in the final standings.

Lance Woolridge/Elvéne Vonk in the second NWM Ford Castrol T1+ Ranger will give it their all to end a disappointing season on a high note while the Horn brothers, Johan and Werner (#TeamHilux Rally-Raid Toyota DKR Hilux T1+), who missed the season opener, will also aim for another good result to round off the season.

The battles in the T1 championship will continue from the front right through the rest of the field, but the class leaders, Eben Basson/Leander Pienaar (#TeamHilux Rally-Raid) can give it horns as they have already secured the title. That will not stop them from aiming for more class victories to add to their three this year while they will eye finishing the season in the overall top five.

Behind them Gary Bertholdt (Toyota Hilux), who has made use of two navigators with Juan Möhr reading him the notes again at the Parys 400, can overtake the German driver, Daniel Schröder, who will miss the event as he will be competing in the Roof of Africa, and a runner-up position in the class is within Bertholdt’s reach. And with a small points’ gap separating the three teams behind them, predicting the final standings could be dangerous.

Chris Visser/Albertus Venter (Red-Lined Motorsport REVO) missed the season opener, but claimed the class victory last time out and fought their way back into fifth place in T1. Like the previous two rounds, another close battle with Basson/Leander might just be on the cards again. Visser/Venter are part of the close trio and are surrounded by their team-mates, the ever consistent Philip Botha/Roelof Janse van Vuren and Johan de Bruyn/Gerhard Schutte, both competing with the Red-Lined Motorsport VK56.

At the recent Nampo 400, Botha/Janse van Vuren, who made their Rally-Raid debut in 2020, added to their record by finishing their 50th race after 50 starts. The team completed a total of 12 500 kilometres under the Red-Lined Motorsport banner.

Also lining up in T1 will be the Blignaut brothers, Fouché and Bertus (#TeamHilux Rally-Raid) as well as Richard Leeke/Zaheer Bodhanya (Leeke Motorsport); Nicolas Pienaar/Carl Swanepoel (Super Energi Race Fuels Red-Lined VK50) as well as Schalk Burger/Henk Janse van Vuuren (King Price Xtreme Mercedes-Benz) while the two international drivers, Thomas Bell and Jürgen Schröder, are also back for more.

Bell, who lives in Dubai and Wade Harris (Red-Lined Motorsport REVO) missed the season opener, but completed the rest of the events despite some challenges and are in the T1 top 10, while the German veteran together with Stuart Gregory will take the Nissan Navara to the battlefield again. Hennie de Klerk/Adriaan Roets (VW Amarok) competed in the first three events and will be in action for the seventh and final round of the 2022 season.

With the retirement of Ernest Roberts (JCP Steel Supplies CR6) and navigator Henry Köhne not competing in FIA T1.2 for 2x4 vehicles, the class leaders, Lance Trethewey/Leonard Cremer (King Price Xtreme CR6) can breathe a little easier and race with the knowledge that they have secured the FIA T1.2 championship. Another class win or two will, however, be just what the former Special Vehicle Champion and navigator Cremer would want, and that might push them into the overall top 10 for the season.
More successful kilometres on the WCT HT2 Toyota Hilux Turbo and good points could result in Simon Murray/Achim Bergmann finishing the season on the T1.2 podium while good results will also push Dewald van Breda/Johann du Toit in a another CR6 up in the class as well as the overall standings.

The Class T title is still up for grabs and although the leaders, scholar Jayden Els (18) and navigator, Armand du Toit (King Price Xtreme Renault Duster) have their grip quite firmly on the trophy, putting a wheel wrong can spell disaster for them. Experienced driver, Johan van Staden, and his son, Sean (KEC Racing Renault Duster) are third in the Class T championship, but with Christo Rose/Arno Olivier not competing due to Olivier struggling with a broken elbow, the Van Staden duo can not only move up the leader-board, but they are a real threat to the leaders.
And after making a successful debut at the Nampo 400, Hendrik du Plessis and his son, Heinrich, are back for another adrenaline rush session in their Ford Ranger.

The Parys 400 starts at 07:30 on Friday, 11 November with the 12 kilometre Pirelli Qualifying Race to determine the starting order for the first of the two 153 kilometre loops with the Start/Finish as well as the Designated Service Park (DSP) and Race Headquarters all situated at the Parys Airfield. Loop One will start at 09:30 with teams returning to the DSP area for a controlled 30 minute service break after which they will complete the loop again.

The seventh and final round of the SARRC will again start at 07:30 with teams taking on the 12 kilometre Pirelli Qualifying Race that determines the starting grid. On both days, the leading ten teams will draw for the line-up for the first loop of the day. On Saturday, a different 172 kilometre loop awaits competitors with the action starting again at 09:30. Teams will break for 30 minutes after completing the loop and upon completion of the final loop of the season, the podium ceremony will be held at the airfield.

Spectators are welcome to follow the action along the route from various vantage points while refreshments will be available at the airfield where enthusiasts can view the action at the DSP. The Parys 400 can also be followed on the RallySafe App that is available as a free download on the App Store or Google Play

Source: SARRC
Photo: Andre Schoeman

Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer have a shot at the SARRC Class FIA T1+ podium at the two back-to-back races in Parys on 11 and 12 November that wrap up the 2022 season
Team-mates Lance Woolridge and Elvéne Vonk hoping for a clean weekend to prove their potential, while continuing durability testing of the NWM Ford Castrol T1+ Ranger
Short 12km qualifying sprint for both races. Friday features two 165km loops, with two 172km loops for the Saturday race

The 2022 South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) draws to a close on 11 and 12 November in the most exciting fashion – a thrilling double-header in the Free State town of Parys with 700km of racing that will decide the final rankings in this year’s championship. For the Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Castrol Team it will be a crucial opportunity to maximise its points and move up the standings.

Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer (#277) are currently fifth in the premier FIA T1+ category in their EcoBoost V6-powered NWM Ford Ranger, with just eight points separating them from third-placed Shameer Variawa/Danie Stassen (Toyota). This sets the scene for an intense battle that will be played out on the dusty tracks of this farming region near the Vaal River, just over an hour’s drive from Johannesburg.

Gareth and Boyd proved that they have the pace to run at the front of the field after leading most of Round 5 at NAMPO Park in Bothaville. A minor electrical gremlin tripped up their charge to victory, but the young pair are intent on ending the season on a high.

The 2022 season has been extremely challenging for team-mates Lance Woolridge and Elvéne Vonk (#234) in the second NWM Ford Castrol T1+ Ranger. They have also shown race-winning potential on several occasions this year, and are aiming to repeat the impressive form they had at the NAMPO event to shake things up – with Lady Luck hopefully on their side for a change as they continue durability testing of key components.

“We have been hard at work testing and sorting out the little niggles that have hampered our performance this year. We are looking forward to returning to Parys which has very similar terrain to the last event, and this seems to suit our car,” says team principal Neil Woolridge.

“It was encouraging and a real morale booster for the entire team to see the Rangers dominating qualifying and having Gareth and Boyd leading for most of the previous round. Now we just need a clean run without any hassles to show what we are capable of as we give Gareth and Boyd the best chance to fight for the final podium position in the 2022 championship,” Neil says.

Race programme

As two consecutive one-day events, the SARRC action will be as exhilarating and nail-biting as they come. The race headquarters, start/finish and designated service park (DSP) are all located at the Parys Aerodrome on the R59 just outside of town. This race is renowned for its spectator-friendly route and easily accessible viewing points, and access to the route and DSP is free.

Both rounds start at 07:30 with a short 12km Pirelli Qualifying Race around the airfield. The fastest teams on each day will draw their starting positions from 10th to first place, with strategy and road position being crucial considerations.

The Friday race comprises two 165km loops separated by a mandatory 30-minute service stop. The ceremonial start is at 09:30 before progressing to the nearby shooting range where the competitive action begins. The race loop takes the teams towards Sasolburg and Wolwehoek before returning to the pits. Saturday’s main race features two 172km loops starting at the airfield and heading towards Vredefort, with both routes expected to have fast open terrain mixed with some technical and rocky sections.

Fans can follow all the action and track the position of the crews throughout the race using the RallySafe app which can be downloaded free of charge for iOS and Android devices.

Source NWM Ford Castrol

As tradition dictates, the 14th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE came to an end on Sunday 30 October 2022 at Lac Rose in Dakar, with the final photo under the finish arch of the entire organisation team.

Before that, this final day had seen the 22 km long Lac Rose special stage with a start from Niokhob beach, followed by the podium ceremony during which the winners and finishers of this particularly demanding 2022 edition were celebrated.

It was a moment of deliverance, joy, emotion, conviviality and sharing with the many people present, families, friends, partners, officials, media, service providers, volunteers from the organisation or simple enthusiasts... Above all, it was an opportunity for everyone to bring this fabulous 17-day, 5951 km adventure to a close, from Monaco to Dakar, via France, Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal.

Not since 2009 has the AFRICA ECO RACE been so difficult for the participants and other in the rally. First of all, because we had to hold on to the event after the cancellation of the 2021 edition and the postponement of the 2022 edition initially planned for March. Secondly, because it had to evolve on difficult tracks in Morocco, given the multitude of events organised since the reopening of the country. Finally, because it was necessary to face temperatures touching 50 degrees in Mauritania, with challenging tracks and with bodies permanently on the verge of collapse. In short, the vehicles and the people were put to the test, but they made it to the end of the adventure thanks to their ability to rise above oneself and to their continuous efforts.

Until the final finish line at Lac Rose, Stefan SVITKO on KTM in the motorbike category, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO with the OPTIMUS in the car category, Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLLI with the CAN AM in the SSV category and Tomas TOMECEK with his TATRA in the truck category, didn't give up and won their categories as well as their overall. Pushing to the end for these Champions of the AFRICA ECO RACE 2022, rewarded by the magnificent bronze trophies representing the map of Africa, the original land of the Cross Country Rally discipline.

Many of them have promised to come back and for some of them, as early as March, since the 15th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE will take place from 14 to 26 March 2023.

Source Africa Race

During the briefing yesterday evening at the Ouad Naga bivouac, Manfred KROISS, the Sporting Director of the AFRICA ECO RACE 2022, had indicated that the final timed sector was complicated because the tracks were covered with vegetation, masking the traps of the track. He therefore advised competitors, especially those on motorbike, to be very vigilant. A message received by all because there was not the slightest problem on this last special of 122 km.

Stefan SVITKO performing well until the end
The Slovak Stefan SVITKO did not tremble today since he dominated the last special stage of the AFRICA ECO RACE, relegating the HUSQVARNA of Frenchman Xavier FLICK to 00:03:19 and the KTM of Briton Robbie WALLACE to 00:04:38. Spaniard Pol TARRES placed his YAMAHA in 4th position at 00:07:03 from the winner, 33 seconds ahead of the HUSQVARNA of Italian Maurizio GERINI. Alessandro BOTTURI didn't take any risk and finally finished 6th in front of Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER, who was also cautious as he was more than 15 minutes behind. Nice performance of French rider Amaury BARATIN who finished 8th ahead of Swede Stefhan WILHELMSSON . Both of them enter for the first time in the top 10 completed by the Dutchman Stephan SAVELKOULS.

The Lac Rose special stage does not count in the general classification of the AFRICA ECO RACE, Stefan SVITKO wins this 14th edition in the motorbike category. He is ahead of Maurizio GERINI and Xavier FLICK who wins the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER category. By finishing 4th, Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER wins the Veteran category (+45 years old), Pol TARRES, 5th, the 700 and more Bicylinder category, Robbie WALLACE, 6th, the Junior category (-25 years old), the Senegalese Mamadou BOCOUM, 10th, the African rider trophy and the +450 category, the Italian Francesca GASPERI, 15th, the Women category and the Czech Zdenek TUMA, 21st the Quad category

The last special stage for David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR in car
After yesterday's complicated day for the two OPTIMUS, David GERARD and Philippe GOSSELIN, the two French pilots, were keen to finish this AFRICA ECO RACE in style. David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR won with a lead of 00:02:12 over Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO. Behind them, the battle raged until the end in the SSV EXTREME RACE category as the Franco-Nigerian Eric SCHIANO and Camille POURCHIER got the 3rd time on their POLARIS for 11 seconds ahead of the CAN AM of the Dutch Rudy VOLLEBREGT and Gert TRAA, while their teammates and compatriots Laurens MEIJER and Robert VISSER completed the podium of the day.

In the car classification, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO win this 14th edition ahead of the CAN AM of Senegalese Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Frenchman Patrick ANTONIOLLI. Laurens MEIJER and Robert VISSER take the 3rd place trophy on four wheels and Rudy VOLLEBREGT and Gert TRAA finish on the 3rd step of the SSV EXTREME RACE podium. By finishing 5th overall, Tomas TOMECEK adds a 4th trophy in the truck category to his prize list. Finally, in their TOYOTA, the Hungarians Irme VARGA and Jozsef TOMA finished 7th and won the T1 4x4 category.

Tomorrow, Sunday October 30, the caravan of the AFRICA ECO RACE will head for the Lac Rose at dawn. After the mythical special stage of the Lac Rose and its spectacular start on the beach of Niokhob, the winners and finishers of this 14th edition will climb on the podium. All this under the applause of families, friends, partners and enthusiasts coming in great numbers to attend the prize-giving ceremony of this unique All Terrain Rally crossing two continents and four countries.

Source Africa Eco Race

With five rounds of an exhilarating 2022 season inscribed in the motorsport history books, the upcoming Parys 400, the final two rounds of the SA Rally-Raid Championship that takes place on 11 and 12 November, will be the cherry on top and determine the titles. These two one-day events will, however, test man and machine as well as the nerves of those who need to keep it all together over a total of almost 700 racing kilometres in the Free State, to reap the rewards.
On Friday, 11 November, the Parys 400 will form the sixth and penultimate round of the Production and Special Vehicle Championships with the seventh and final round taking place on Saturday, 12 November. All the action will happen from the Parys Airfield on the outskirts of Parys where the Race Headquarters as well as the Designated Service Park (DSP) and the Start/Finish of the two rounds will be situated.
Both rounds six and seven will consist of a 12 kilometre Pirelli Qualifying Race to determine the starting order for the first of two loops on each day. On Friday, the short qualifier will start at 07:30 at the airfield. The 10 teams who post the fastest times will then draw for their starting positions for the first of the two 165 kilometre loops in the order from 10th to first.
After the ceremonial start at 09:30 at the airfield, teams will continue past the entrance of the airfield to the start of the race at the shooting range. From here Loop 1 will take them in the direction of Sasolburg / Wolwehoek and although most teams have raced in the area before, this loop will present them with 40% new terrain as well as some technical and rocky sections.
According to Route Director, Rudi Muller, 70% of the loop will be fast, open tracks, but he has cautioned teams to race with care as it could catch them out. And if the heavens open, the black turf soil can become very tricky.
After completion of Loop 1, teams will return to the DSP for a 30 minute service break before setting off on the loop again. The finish and podium ceremonies will be at the Parys Airfield.
On Saturday, the same routine will ensue with the 12 kilometre Pirelli Qualifying Race starting at 07:30 at the airfield followed by a different 172 kilometre loop that will veer in the direction of Vredefort. The leading team will start Loop 1 at 09:30 from the airfield and can expect a loop that is mostly fast and open with 30% new tracks and some technical, rocky sections. Muller’s advice to competitors about this loop is that a laps of concentration could mean heartache.
Loop 2 will again continue after the 30 minute break at the DSP and competitors will have to keep their wits about them, and not ponder on the titles and champagne spraying ceremonies that await at the Parys Airfield that will round the season off.

Spectators are welcome at the airfield where the entry is free of charge with ample food and refreshments, provided by the local community, on sale. Enthusiasts can also follow the action from the various vantage points along the route while information about the Parys 400 will be available on the RallySafe App that can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.

Source SARRC
Images: Andre Schoeman

For several editions of the AFRICA ECO RACE, the loop stage around the village of Akjoujt has been one of the rally's defining stages. This is even more true this year with the strong heat in the month of October which makes the sand less bearable. As a result, at 16:00, only a third of the participants had crossed the finish line and it is already clear that the evening, possibly even the night, will be long for the race headquarters and the organisations vehicles on the route.

Maurizio GERINI back on the bike
Having started just one minute behind Stefan SVITKO this morning, Maurizio GERINI quickly caught up with him and the two men remained together for the rest of the day, crossing the finish line at the same time. As a result, the Italian won on his HUSQVARNA coming in 1 minute ahead of the Slovakian's KTM. In 3rd position, Xavier FLICK is still doing the job on his HUSQVARNA, but now some distance off scratch, with the Frenchman arriving 00:38:31 behind the winner. He is ahead of Junior Robbie WALLACE by 00:05:42 and Veteran Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER by 00:01:49, both on KTM. In 6th position at 01:02:23, we find Pol TARRES and his YAMAHA. Amaury BARATIN decided to attack today. The Frenchman placed his KTM in 7th position in front of the Slovakian Martin BENKO, the Dutchman Stephan SAVELKOULS and the Senegalese Mamadou BOCOUM, making into the top 10 for the first time in this race. A good performance once again for the Czech Zdenek TUMA who placed his YAMAHA Quad in 16th position.

In the overall classification, Stefan SVITKO retains a lead of 00:02:46 over Maurizio GERINI. Not much, especially as it is the Italian who will open the track tomorrow. In 3rd position, Xavier FLICK now has a lead of almost 1.5 hours over Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER and is still leader of the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER category.

New victory for Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO in their car
The " Fous du Volants " team struck again today as Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO won ahead of their teammates David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR by 00:11:48. The two OPTIPUS flew over this difficult stage and was another 00:49:43 before you could catch sight of the CAN AM of Jean DAGHER-HAYEL and Patrick ANTONIOLLI and then nearly 3 minutes more for the CAN AM of Andrea TRONCONI and Alberto BERTOLDI to show up at the finish. The Italians are ahead of their QFF RACING team-mates Rudy VOLLEBREGT and Gert TRAA. Special mention to Eric SCHIANO and Camille POURCHIER who, by finishing 6th, succeed, for the first time, in entering the top 10 on their POLARIS, part of the XTREME PLUS Team.

In the overall car classification, it is still a walk in the park for Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO who now have 05:42:32 over Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLI and 06:49:40 over Andrea TRONCONI and Alberto BERTOLDI.

Tomorrow, Thursday 27 October, the caravan of the AFRICA ECO RACE will head for Ouad Naga. The stage will consist of 435km, 412 of which will be special stages, again with sand and breathtaking landscapes.

Source: Africa Eco Race

CHAMI / AKJOUJT : 515 km
Link: 20 km - Special stage: 470 km - Link: 25 km

After the cancellation of the first special stage in Mauritania, everyone was eager to get started this morning at the start of this 7th stage between Chami and Akjoujt. The start this morning had been brought forward by 30 minutes so that the competitors could avoid driving in the high temperatures of the afternoon. Even though today’s route was particularly difficult, there were no real problems for the participants of this 14th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE, as their level is generally high. In the end everyone should make it back to the bivouac this evening, even if for some it will be on the back of a sweeper truck.

Stefan SVITKO takes over the lead in the motorbike race
Jean Louis SCHLESSER had announced yesterday that this 7th stage could change it all. The organizer of the AFRICA ECO RACE was not wrong as Stefan SVITKO, who started 3rd this morning, won the day. Setting a scratch time with a comfortable lead of 00:06:26 over Maurizio GERINI. On his KTM, the Slovakian rider took advantage of the last 150 kilometers of sandy and technical tracks to put some distance between him and the Italian on his HUSQVARNA. The two men finish ahead of Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER who is back in the top 3, but still 00:31:21 behind. The Norwegian was ahead of Frenchman Xavier FLICK by 00:16:30, who had to deal with problems with his bike’s swingarm. In 5th position, we find Robbie WALLACE who keeps on demonstrating his competitiveness. The British rider placed, on his KTM, about ten minutes ahead of the two YAMAHA 700s of the Spaniard Pol TARRES and the Italian Alessandro BOTTURI. There is also a noteworthy entry in the top 10 for the first time for the Swede Stefhan WILHELMSSON, 8th on his KTM, in front of the Dutchman Stephan SAVELKOULS and the Slovak Martin BENKO. The Italian Massimiliano GUERRINI, who started last this morning, also performed well and finished in 11th position.

In the provisional results for two-wheeler general rankings, Stefan SVITKO is once again the leader with a lead of 00:03:46 over Maurizio GERINI and 01:21:46 over Xavier FLICK, who is still the leader of the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER Challenge for Malles Moto riders. To be noted: a great 18th place of the Italian Francesca GASPERI, the only woman in the motorbike race, who gains two more positions today.

Victory for Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER in the car category
It is rare in Cross-Country Rallies, and particularly on a 470 km stage, to see an SSV win the scratch ahead of two- or four-wheel drive T1 cars. However, this is what happened today on the AFRICA ECO RACE with the victory of the CAN AM of Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER. The Dutchmen finished, even more unusually, ahead of another CAN AM in the SSV EXTREME RACE category, that of Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLLI, at only 00:02:53. The two SSVs are ahead of the OPTIMUS Buggy of Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO by 00:02:57. A very tight top 5 today as the CAN AM of the Italians Andrea TRONCONI and Alberto BERTOLDI finished 4th at 00:07:48 and the TATRA truck of the Czech Tomas TOMECEK was 5th, 00:12:05 behind the winners.

In the general classification, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO are still leaders with more than 4 hours of advance on Jean GAGHER-HAYECK and 5 hours on Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER. Tomas TOMECEK is still the first truck and tonight he enters the top 5.

Tomorrow, Wednesday 26 October, the stage will consist of a loop around the bivouac of Akjoujt with 24 km of liaison before the start and 424 km of special stage with a finish at the bivouac. On the program, the famous Tifoujar pass and still more dunes with a relatively difficult last section.

Source Africa Eco Race

It was 6.00 am this morning when Frenchman Xavier FLICK set off on the long 370 km liaison to the border between the Western Sahara part of Morocco and Mauritania. Close to the border between the two countries, a tent had been set up by the Moroccan authorities to provide a breakfast buffet worthy of the one in the Port of Nador. This was yet another demonstration of the extraordinary welcome that Morocco has given the AFRICA ECO RACE.

Once this welcome meal was over, the competitors took the road into the "no man's land" between the two countries before finally entering into Mauritania. This was an express border crossing, involving a simple check of the number of vehicles and passengers, with visa formalities now being carried out at the first Mauritanian bivouac. Consequently, at 10.30am, the majority of the bikes and cars had reached the GPS point of departure where tents had been set up to shelter them from the sun and water provided to rehydrate them. Everything was in place for the special to start at 12.00 pm as planned.

Unfortunately, the weather conditions in Dakhla and in particular the thick fog that grounded the organization's helicopters and planes meant that we were not able to start as planned. The start had been planned for daybreak, towards Nouadhibou in Mauritania for the customs formalities, before a take-off towards Boulanouar, for the start of the special. In a worst-case scenario, the plan allows for the aircraft to be in place at the start by 12:00 at latest. However, the aircraft were only able to take off at 10:30, thus losing more than two hours of the initial schedule, and they only arrived at Boulanouar at 14:00. The competitors had been on stand-by for more than 3 hours by this point, with a temperature of almost 40°C, although in the shade of tents, but they had consumed all the water available to them. In these conditions, it would have been imprudent to let them start in a 200 km special. The decision was therefore taken to cancel this first Mauritanian special stage. A relief for the majority of the participants, who are well aware of the risks of dehydration when driving in the desert at this time of the day.

Tomorrow, Tuesday 25 October, the race will resume at 7.15am for a 470km special stage to Akjoujt, the usual village for this stage of the AFRICA ECO RACE. On the program, dunes, dunes, and more dunes, interspersed with sandy tracks. One of the most difficult stages of this 14th edition.

Source Africa Race

 Stage 5
REMZ EL QUEBIR / DAKHLA: 691 km
Link: 0 km - Special: 450 km - Link: 241 km

Xavier FLICK is making headlines on his motorcycle
This last Moroccan special stage, 450 km long was very fast, but with a tricky wadi to cross and some difficult navigation, but did not perturb Xavier FLICK's HUSQVARNA. Starting in 5th position this morning, the Frenchman was able to take advantage of the battle between the first two in the general standings and took his first victory in a major African rally. He is ahead of the HUSQVARNA of Maurizio GERINI by 00:03:43 and the KTM of Stefan SVITKO by 00:05:41. Behind, the two YAMAHA 700 TÉNÉRÉ riders: Alessandro BOTTURI and Pol TARRES, finished 4th and 5th in front of the KTM of the ever-constant Norwegian, Pal Anders ULLEVALSETTER. Among the newcomers in the top 10 of a special stage on the AFRICA ECO RACE 2022, the Italian Lucio BELLUSCHI on a YAMAHA and the Dutchman Stephan SAVELKOULS on his KTM, coming in at 8th and 9th. We find in 7th position the Romanian Ionut FLOREA on HUSQVARANA and notably, Francesca GASPERI who has achieved quite a feat on her HONDA. Indeed, the Italian rider is the first woman since the creation of the AFRICA ECO RACE to enter the top 10 of a special stage.

In the provisional general standings, Maurizio GERINI now has a 00:02:40 lead over Stefan SVITKO. A rather slim advantage when you consider how easy it is to lose time in Mauritania. Behind, Xavier FLICK is well positioned in 3rd place. He is also leader of the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER challenge. Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER is in 4th position and is the first veteran. In 5th position, we find Pol TARRES, leader of the 700 two-cylinder category, while the British Robbie WALLACE, 6th, is the first and indeed only, Junior of this 14th edition of the ARICA ECO RACE.

And a third sucess for David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR in their car
After having front axle problems with their OPTIMUS during the 3rd stage, David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR have shaken things up today by winning the special, 00:02:02 in front of their team mates Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO, 00:19:16 in front of the Hungarian Irme VARGA and Jozsef TOMA on TOYOTA. The 4th position of the day goes to Tomas TOMECEK on his TATRA truck. It is the first time that the Czech enters the top 5. He finishes in front of Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLI, once again first of the SSVs. In the category, the Franco-Senegalese crew is ahead of the Dutch Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER, but also the Italians Andrea TRONCONI and Alberto BERTOLDI, all on CAN AM.I

n the general four-wheel classification, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO are still leading the way, ahead of Jean DAGHER-HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLI, who are also leaders in the SSV EXTREME RACE category ahead of Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER. Irme VARGA and Jozsef TOMA are chasing them down in 4th position, ready to catch the two SSVs in front of them. In the truck category, Tomas TOMECK, in 7th position overall, is still the leader of the category. Alone in his truck, he is ahead of the MERCEDES of the Italians Giulio VERZELETTI and Giuseppe FORTUNA.

Tomorrow, Sunday 23 October, is the rest day at the edge of the lagoon of DAKHLA which should do everyone a lot of good and allow them to start the second week of the race in Mauritania in top shape.

Source Africa Eco Race

Once again, the first motorcycles have crossed the finish line near the bivouac of Remz El Kebir at the time planned by Manfred KROISS, the sports director of the AFRICA ECO RACE. An arrival more grouped than the first days with smaller gaps. The proof that the competitors are taking their marks and becoming more and more efficient, also due to a less technical track and an easier navigation.

Stefan SVITKO's first victory in moto category
Maurizio GERINI's HUSQVARNA started in the lead this morning, but was caught up by Stefan SVITKO's KTM at kilometer 60, after which the two leaders rode together to cross the line with a one-second advantage for the Slovakian, who won with 00:02:01 over the Italian. The rhythm was maintained since Alessandro BOTTURI, with the handlebar of his YAMAHA 700 goes up on the 3rd step of the podium of the day with 00:20:56 of delay. In 4th position, we find the surprising Robbie WALLACE at 00:25:34. More and more at ease on his KTM, the British rider is ahead of the French rider Xavier FLICK who had a bit of a hard time today. The HUSQVARNA rider finished the stage 00:27:55 behind the winner and ahead of Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER's KTM by 00:01:13 and Pol TARRES' YAMAHA 700 by 00:02:51. The first time since the start that we find seven pilots in 30 minutes. To finish with the top 10, we find the YAMAHA 700 of Lucio BELLUSCHI in 8th position, the HUSQVARNA of Massimiliano GUERRINI and the KTM of the Dutchman Stephan SAVELKOULS. The best performances of the day were the 15th place of the HONDA of the Italian Francesca GASPERI and the 20th place of the Japanese Shingo SUGIMARA, more and more at ease on his HUSQVARNA.
In the provisional overall of the AFRICA ECO RACE, Maurizio GUERINI keeps the leadership for 42 seconds on Stefan SVITKO. Xavier FLICK, leader of the MOTUL EXTREME RIDER challenge is well installed in 3rd position with more than one hour of advance on Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER, who is far from having said his last word.

A French trio in cars
Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO had black hands when they got out of their Buggy OPTIMUS at the finish line of this 4th special stage. The Frenchmen had to change a cardan shaft 130 km from the end of the stage. In spite of the 30 minutes lost in this repair, the leaders of the car-truck general ranking won with 00:09:43 over their teammates from Team David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR. In 3rd position, we find the CAN AM of Bruno ROBIN and Philippe CHAMPIGNE who, after their worries of the first two days, are getting good results. The Frenchmen also win the T3 category dedicated to the SSV, by beating the Dutch Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER, but also the Senegalese Jean DAGHER HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLLI, always as surprising.
In the general ranking, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO are keeping their ever-growing lead.

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 22, the final Moroccan stage will bring the AFRICA ECO RACE caravan to Dakhla for a well-deserved rest day. But before that, the competitors will have to cover 690 km, 450 of which will be run on fast sandy tracks, but with a big chunk of navigation.

Source: Africa Race

After the events of yesterday, the atmosphere was heavy this morning: Notably so during the distribution of the road-book an hour before the start of the 3rd stage of the AFRICA ECO RACE. Composed of a 466 km special stage competitors followed by a 60 km liaison to the bivouac. Despite everything, the race goes on and the time gaps grow larger at the finish line and therefore in the general standings, for those on both two and four wheels.

And second for GERINI in the bike race
Maurizio GERINI has decided to make a name for himself on this 14th edition of the AFRICA ECO RACE. Indeed, the Italian, already winner of the first stage, won again today by placing his HUSQVARNA 00:04:01 in front of the KTM of Slovak Stefan SVITKO. Behind him, Xavier FLICK, although he was first to start, finished 3rd at 00:21:47. A great performance when understqnd that he rode alone from the beginning to the end of the stage. The Frenchman precedes the Spanish Pol TARRES on the YAMAHA 700, who arrived at 00:51:36, at the same time as Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER. The Norwegian got lost today and is only in 5th position with more than an hour to go. The Slovak Martin BENKO who knows the race well was right on his tail in his KTM, finishing 6th, a place a somewhat more in accordance with his level. The British driver Robbie WALLACE continued to do well following his excellent start to the rally by finishing 7th ahead of the Dutchman Stephan SAVELKOULS, for the first time in the top 10. The 9th place goes to Alessandro BOTTURI who lost a lot of time due to a technical problem on his YAMAHA 700. Big performance finally for the Quad N°198 of the Czech Zdenek TUMA who is classified 10th of the special stage of the day. It had been a while since a Quad had achieved such a performance in the AFRICA ECO RACE.
In the provisional general classification, Maurizio GERINI takes the lead, for 00:02:42 ahead of Stefan SVETKO while François FLICK is now 3rd at 00:23:03. Behind them, Pal Anders ULLEVALSETER is in 4th position almost an hour behind.

First victory for Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO today in the car category
The days are not the same for David GERARD and Pascal DELACOUR since the leaders of the general classification had steering problems, which forced them to leave the track to reach the bivouac by road. So, it is the other OPTIMUS buggy of the French Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO that won today, 01:09:58 ahead of the CAN AM of Rudy VOLLEBREGT and Gert TRAA. A great battle is going on between the different CAN AM SSVs and the Dutch have overtaken the Senegalese Jean DAGHER HAYECK and Patrick ANTONIOLLI by 00:02:09. Behind them, the Frenchmen Bruno ROBIN and Philippe CHAMPIGNE are ranked 4th, only 30 seconds behind and the Dutch Laurens MEIJER and Robbert VISSER 53 seconds behind them. A tiny gap between them considering the 466 km of dunes and gravel tracks over which it is very easy lose time. Once again, Tomas TOMECEK finished first in the truck category in his TATRA, taking 6th place for the day.
In the provisional general standings, Philippe GOSSELIN and Christophe CRESPO have taken the lead of the AFRICA ECO RACE ahead of the CAN AM of Frenchmen Loïc FREBOURG and Franck BOULAY. But the road to Dakar is still long and it is far from over!

Tomorrow, Friday, October 21, the AFRICA ECO RACE will continue its way south with a special of 455 km straight fro, bivouc to bivouac. The route includes the crossing of a mountain range before a section of desert tracks in the stunning southern Moroccan desert.

Source Africa Race