Brad Cox has done it! He has gone on to win the World Rally2 Championship in Morocco after a gruelling yet fulfilling race.

Morocco (15 October 2024) – After an exemplary year in MotoSports, South African Brad Cox (26) has achieved his goal after being crowned the World Rally2 Champion in the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc, World Rally-Raid Championship last weekend. Brad, who races for BAS World KTM Racing, scored a double whammy by winning the rally and the title in Morocco, snatching the championship from Romain Dumontier (Team Honda) with Konrad Dąbrowski (Duust Rally) coming third.

His exceptional achievement caught the attention of the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa, Gayton McKenzie, who took to social media to congratulate the young competitor, saying:

“26-year-old South African Bradley Cox has won the World Rally 2 Rally Raid Championship for 2024. This is really fitting because next year we are hosting the big one, W2RC, in SA.”

The Minister is referencing the fact that South Africa is set to host the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) from 18 to 24 May 2025 in North West and Limpopo. The event will feature diverse terrain, with the race route traversing bushveld plateaus, river crossings, and savannah plains in the areas of Sun City, Thabazimbi, and the agricultural heart of North West.

Excitement is mounting for the event following Brad’s impressive win on his new 2025 KTM 450 Rally Factory Replica – as a privateer rather than a factory rider – which is made even more special by the fact that friend and mentor, Ross Branch (Botswana) won the RallyGP World Championship in Morocco. RallyGP is the top moto class, with riders and manufacturers eligible for the World Championship in FIM rankings. This class is only open to the most experienced competitors while Rally2 is available to any rider not yet considered RallyGP. With his recent victory, Brad will now compete in the next Dakar Rally in the RallyGP class.

Speaking after the event, Brad, who shares his passion for the sport with his father, the ex-KTM factory rider, Alfie Cox, said:

“Coming in I was down eight points and while there was a chance to be champion, really the week had to fall perfectly for me and it did. From the start, I had my goal set and put my head down, knowing that for the next five days I would do whatever it takes to win – and that’s what happened! Every day I got better and better.

“Having the title ‘World Champion’ next to your name is great, and I’m really proud. Proud of the effort it took and the sacrifices to get to this point. It’s not just me, it’s my team, my family, my sponsors…it’s a massive group effort and to have it payoff is amazing. Now we get ready for Dakar. This is a building block and has given me the confidence, and hopefully, Dakar can go as well as this week has!”

Commenting on Brad’s performance, Bart van der Velden, the BAS World KTM Racing Team Manager, said,

“It was great to see that all the training and hard work he’s put in over the last few years has paid off. In the past year-and-a-half, Brad has taken big steps in his navigation and his training. It’s been a lot of effort so everyone in the team is really happy for him. I’m confident in the upcoming Dakar. Morocco was a test – the first outing on the new bike – and we’re all so happy it worked out.”

Earlier this year, Brad competed in the Dakar Rally, which was described as one of the most challenging races on record, where he put on an impressive performance in the Rally2 category, finishing 13th overall in the Bike Category. He was also the only South African to make it to the Top 20 overall in the contest.

Brad was able to compete with the help of generous sponsors who were committed to backing his racing dream. These included Toyota Gazoo Racing, ASP international rope access, Bas World KTM Racing Team, Leader Tread, Trollope Mining, Face First Media, PSlaser Racing, KTM South Africa, Airoh Helmets, Gaerne Boots, Shot Racing, TRP Distributors, 100%, USN, USWE, and Red Bull.

Source: Supplied

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South Africa’s Brad Cox got a podium place in the gruelling 2024 Dakar Rally during Stage 9, kicking off his 2024 riding career with a win!

South Africa (25 January 2024) – Described by even the most hardened competitors as one of the most challenging races on record, South Africa’s Brad Cox (25) was undeterred, putting on an impressive performance on the back of a stellar 2023 season to place 3rd in the Rally2 category and finishing 13th overall in the Bike Category at this year’s Dakar Rally. Brad was also the only South African to make it to the Top 20 overall in the contest.

Running from 5 to 19 January 2024 in Saudi Arabia, this was the 46th edition of the Dakar Rally which saw 239 vehicles – 96 of which were bikes – competing over almost 8,000 km from the ancient city of AlUla to the shores of the Red Sea, passing through the oceans of dunes in the Empty Quarter.

Competing for BAS World KTM Racing on his KTM-450 motorcycle as a privateer rather than a factory rider, Brad Cox was elated with his 3rd year at the Dakar Rally – although his 2023 experience was short-lived. The resident from Cato Ridge in KwaZulu-Natal said this was an opportunity to ‘set the record straight’.

“Dakar this year was amazing. I came in with big expectations and quite a bit of pressure because I’d done really well at the end of the 2023 season and the World Rally Championship rounds,” enthused the young rider, who shares his passion for the sport with his father, the ex-KTM factory rider, Alfie Cox. “The setback in 2023 – crashing and dislocating my elbow on day one – meant I was coming to set the record straight, which I did. I put good stages together where I was fighting inside of the top 10, finishing 3 times in the top 10 overall stages, and once in the top 5 overall stage.”

Brad said he had lost a bit of time with navigation issues and bike problems in week 1, but a hard year of training saw him overcome this to achieve an amazing result – despite incredibly difficult conditions.

“It’s two long weeks of racing and was the toughest Dakar I’ve done and the toughest some of the more experienced competitors have done. We did massive mileage – over 8,000 km racing for over 53 hours – so it was super long days, tough terrain… it was relentless. As a privateer, I also have to fund my way but am lucky I have amazing sponsors that back me, but at the end of the day, you have to put a result on the board so they can continue backing you!”

Brad’s Dakar Rally performance continues his impressive streak, having won the last two rounds of the World Rally Championships in the Rally2 division, placing 8th overall. He also clinched his 10th South African Championship in 2023.

“This has set me up nicely for the rest of the year. My goal is to continue competing in the Rally2 World Championships and hopefully take the top spot. Although I’ll have to miss Abu Dhabi because of funding, I will be in the next three rounds after that. The main goal is to get into a factory team!”

Commenting on Brad’s performance, Bart van der Velden, the BAS World KTM Racing Team Manager commented:

“It was really impressive to see the strides he has made in the past few years. From the first rally, we knew that he had riding skills – the only difficult thing for the fast riders is that they have to slow down to learn the navigation and that was challenging. But it was great to see the strides he has made and I see a good future for Bradley. He’s a great guy to work with, it’s a pleasure to have him around.”

Glenn Crompton, Vice President of Marketing at Toyota SA, a Dakar Rally event sponsor, added:

“We are immensely proud to be associated with Brad. His third place in Rally2 at the 2024 Dakar was incredible. Toyota SA has been involved with Dakar for 13 years and we know the commitment and effort it takes just to get there, let alone finish and achieve success. We are lucky to have partnered with such a young star and believe that Brad will continue to succeed in his career. We are happy that we can assist him realise his goals and can’t wait to see what the future holds.!”

Brad was able to compete with the help of generous sponsors who were committed to backing his racing dream. These included Toyota Gazoo Racing, ASP international rope access, Bas World KTm Racing Team, Leader Tread, Trollope Mining, Face First Media, PSlaser Racing, KTM South Africa, Airoh Helmets, Gaerne Boots, Shot Racing, TRP Distributors, 100%, USN, USWE, and Red Bull.

Keep updated on Brad Cox’s Rally2 journey by following his social media handles:

Instagram: @bradcox34

Facebook: Bradley Cox #34

X: @bradleycox34

Sources: Press Release

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The Dakar 2024 has ended and South African riders and drivers did us so proud! This is how each of them placed overall.

Saudi Arabia (22 January 2024) – The Dakar 2024 has come to an end after an exciting 12-stage event that took motorsport enthusiasts from Alula to Yanbu in Saudi Arabia, travelling around 5,000km in total. Several South Africans were part of the lineup, and they did incredibly well!

What we always love about Dakar is that for those taking part, it isn’t about winning but about facing the challenges day by day and working towards a finish.

This is how our favourite riders and drivers did:

• Bradley Cox #18 – Bike – Finished 13th overall
• Michael Docherty #22 – Bike – Crashed out in Stage 2
• Charan Moore #73 – Bike – Finished 21st overall
• Stuart Gregory #100 – Bike – Competing in “Original by Motul” class, finished 62nd overall
• Kerim Fitz-Gerald #124 – Bike – Crashed out in stage 1
• Ronald Venter #127 – Bike – Finished 55th overall
• Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) #209 – Car – Finished 7th overall
• Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) #219 – Car – Finished 93rd overall
• Gareth Woolridge (pilot) and Boyd Dreyer (co-pilot) #225 – Car – Finished 116th overall
• Saood Variawa (pilot) with French co-pilot Francois Cazalet #226 – Car – Finished 17th overall
• David Guy Botterill (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) #243 – Car – Finished 6th overall
• Hennie De Klerk (pilot) and Juan Möhr (co-pilot) #258 – Car – Retired in stage 7.
• Katherine (pilot) and Stephen Lovemore (co-pilot) #742 – Classic – Finished 48th overall
• Adriaan (pilot) and Riaan Botma (co-pilot) #753 – Classic – Finished 53rd overall

Sources: Dakar Media Zone

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The post The Dakar 2024 Has Ended; This is How Our SA Riders Did appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Dakar’s rest day is now behind the riders; they each set their sights on the final stages ahead, working day by day to get through the challenge and accomplish their goals.

Saudi Arabia (15 January 2024) – The weekend marked one of the main rest days for the Dakar participants. Everyone was able to fit in a bit more sleep, some additional repair and maintenance work as well as share updates back home.

Some of the riders have already completed stage 8 so their rankings have been updated. Others are still making their way to the next Bivouac today.

Stage 1 began in AlUla and will end with Stage 12 in Yanbu. Saturday, the 13th of January, was the only rest day where riders, drivers and crews caught up on sleep and any major repairs. The route is around 5,000km.

We hope to share updates about the South African riders and drivers every few days for the duration of the Dakar. If you missed the first few stages, you can read more here.

With stage 8 underway, there are only a few days left until a winner is crowned. Let’s see how everyone is doing so far:

Bradley Cox #18 – Bike

Bradley has worked his way up to 15th place after stage 8. Stages 6 and 7 saw him rise and fall but steady out in stage 8. He keeps setting the fastest times in Rally 2, showing that he is fighting for his place in this event.

Overall, he is now 15th in the general rankings.

Michael Docherty #22 – Bike

Crashed out of Dakar 2024 during Stage 2 – Read more here.

Charan Moore #73 – Bike

Charan had stages 6 and 7 in the bag, rising up to 22nd place by the end of stage 7. He took a slight knock for stage 8, ending the day in 29th. But it is clear he is here to prove he has what it takes to be a team rider!

Charan is currently ranked 18th overall.

Stuart Gregory #100 – Bike

The Original by Motul “Malle Moto” rider has been on the rise despite the hiccup of his tyres heading back to South Africa without him. He has placed higher in each stage, finishing stage 8 in 76th place.

However, he is upping his overall ranking to 65th.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald #124 – Bike

Sadly, it has been reported that Kerim crashed out of his first Dakar during stage 1.

Ronald Venter #127 – Bike

Ronald has ended stage 7 with his highest finish, placing 55th. There is not currently an update on his stage 8 ranking but we will update as soon as we get more info.

He is currently ranked 71st overall.

Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) #209 – Car

Giniel and Denis spent stage 6 driving through to 7th position, earning a spot in the top 10. By Stage 7 though, the had finished 11th. Stage 8 results for the duo are not out yet but we will report back soon.

Overall, they are currently 5th in the Cars category.

Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) #219 – Car

After the agony of stage 4’s fall, Brian and Leonard navigated a way back to the top, finishing 14th in stage 7.

They are currently ranked overall at 105th.

Gareth Woolridge (pilot) and Boyd Dreyer (co-pilot) #225 – Car

Gareth and Boyd had a successful stage 6, finishing in 52nd place, but stage 7 proved challenging, and the pair crossed the finish line in 138th place.

Overall, they are currently ranked 108th.

Saood Variawa (pilot) with French co-pilot Francois Cazalet #226 – Car

Continuing his comeback from the stage 4 debacle, Saood has finished stage 7 in 50th place.

Overall, the rookie is placed in 27th place.

David Guy Botterill (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) #243 – Car

David and Brett have cracked the top 10 overall ranking thanks to continued efforts in stages 6 and 7. The duo ended stage 7 in 16th place after an 11th place in stage 6.

Overall, the duo are currently in 9th place.

Hennie De Klerk (pilot) and Juan Möhr (co-pilot) #258 – Car

Sadly Hennie and Juan had to retire from Dakar after a driveshaft failure.

Katherine (pilot) and Stephen Lovemore (co-pilot) #742 – Classic

Katherine and Stephen are still in after the rankings went quiet in stage 5. Thankfully, the duo are 56th in the Classic after stage 7.

They rank 55th overall.

Adriaan (pilot) and Riaan Botma (co-pilot) #753 – Classic

Adriaan and Riaan are holding steady in the Classic rankings, earning 61st place at the end of stage 7.

They are currently ranked 53rd.

Sources: Dakar Media Zone

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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The Dakar stages 3, 4 and 5 have passed since we last shared the highlights and this is how South Africans have faired at the desert rally.

Saudi Arabia (11 January 2024) – It has been three days since we last updated you all on how the South Africans taking part in the Dakar have been doing. This 5th rally is proving to be a challenge, even for the world’s top rally competitors so while our riders may be keeping pace mid-level, anything can happen as the stages progress.

Stage 1 began in AlUla and will end with Stage 12 in Yanbu. Saturday, the 13th of January, is the only rest day where riders, drivers and crews can catch up on sleep and any major repairs. The route is around 5,000km.

We hope to share updates about the South African riders and drivers every few days for the duration of the Dakar. If you missed the first two stages, you can read more here.

There have been some fun twists in the past three stages, including a camping night after stage 4, where all competitors had to set up their own tents and couldn’t get repairs done.

South Africa’s Bradley Cox joked that he is more of a gamer than a hardcore camper having never put up a tent before. But all the competitors had fun with the marathon twist.

https://youtu.be/wl5yY6Q8h9I

You can also find video highlights on the Dakar YouTube page here.

Bradley Cox #18 – Bike

After ending stage 2 in 34th place, Bradley has spent the last three stages fighting his way back to the top. Stage 3 he had managed to race up to 22nd place but dropped back down to 26th place during stage 4. He made a substantial comeback during stage 5, ending the day in 17th place.

Overall, he is now 21st in the general rankings.

Michael Docherty #22 – Bike

Crashed out of Dakar 2024 during Stage 2 – Read more here.

Charan Moore #73 – Bike

Starting stage 3 in 25th place, Charan pushed himself but ended the day in 30th place. Stage 4 looked up with a 28th place finish and by stage 5, he finished in 32.

Charan is currently ranked 25th overall.

Stuart Gregory #100 – Bike

The Original by Motul “Malle Moto” rider has been holding firm, finishing stage 3 86th, stage 4 82nd and stage 5, 90th.

However, he is upping his overall ranking to 76th.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald #124 – Bike

Sadly, it has been reported that Kerim crashed out of his first Dakar during stage 1.

Ronald Venter #127 – Bike

For the first time, Ronald is competing well, finishing 63rd in stage 3, 86th in stage 4 and back up to 71st in stage 5.

He is currently ranked at 70th overall.

Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) #209 – Car

After 22nd place for Stage 2, Giniel and Dennis navigated their way back to the top, finishing Stage 3 at 16th, stage 4 at 19th and all the way up to 7th place for Stage 5.

Overall, they are currently 11th in the Cars category.

Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) #219 0 Car

Stage 3 turned out to be a tough ride for Brian and Leonard, ending the challenging day 157th, stage for didn’t get any easier as they finished 171st. The guys made a navigational comeback in stage 5, finishing the day 54th!

They are currently ranked overall at 159th.

Gareth Woolridge (pilot) and Boyd Dreyer (co-pilot) #225 – Car

Continuing the high of stage 2, Gareth and Boyd ended stage 3 in 30th but Stage 4 proved to be challenging for this duo too, leaving them 166th. Thankfully, they, too, pushed to improve and ended stage 5 in 88th place.

Overall, they are currently ranked 131st.

Saood Variawa (pilot) with French co-pilot Francois Cazalet #226 – Car

Starting stage 3 in 38th place, Saood and his co-pilot raced their way to a 21st place finish by the end of the day. They, too, faced stage 4 challenges, dropping to 106th place but then aiming for redemption at place 67th for stage 5.

Overall, the rookie is placed in 29th place.

David Guy Botterill (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) #243 – Car

David and Brett have lost their footing during stage 3, finishing the day in 35th place but determined to be better, pushed during stage 4 for a 16th placing. The wheels came off, figuratively speaking, during stage 5, pushing them to a 45th place.

Overall, the duo are currently in 13th place.

Hennie De Klerk (pilot) and Juan Möhr (co-pilot) #258 – Car

Hennie and Juan spent stages 3 and 4 improving their ranking, placing 67th and 45th respectively. Stage 5 proved to be a challenge and they ended the day placing 130th.

Overall, they are currently ranked at 118th.

Katherine (pilot) and Stephen Lovemore (co-pilot) #742 – Classic

Katherine and Stephen were on the up, finishing stage 3 in 47th place and stage 4 in 48th place. Sadly, there have been no updates regarding stage 5. We will update as soon as we have more information.

Adriaan (pilot) and Riaan Botma (co-pilot) #753 – Classic

The father-son duo are seeing a positive rise in their efforts. Ending stage 3 at 49th, they took a slight knock during stage 4, finishing 52nd but then aimed for the better and ended stage 5 in 51st place.

They are currently ranked 50th.

Sources: Dakar Media Zone

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

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Dakar stages 1 and 2 have been completed, and this is how all the South African participants have done so far:

Saudi Arabia (08 January 2024) – The Dakar is in full swing and, at the time of writing this, is on stage 3. Already, there have been riders who have crashed out, legends who will not cross the finish line and rookies who are making names for themselves.

As we shared earlier this week, there are several South Africans taking part in the rally this year. So, how are they doing?

Stage 1 began in AlUla and will end with Stage 12 in Yanbu. Saturday, the 13th of January, is the only rest day where riders, drivers and crews can catch up on sleep and any major repairs. The route is around 5,000km.

We hope to share updates about the South African riders and drivers every few days for the duration of the Dakar. This is how they have done for the first two stages.

Bradley Cox #18

Bradley started stage one with a bang, taking off across the desert and finishing 4th for stage 1. Sadly, he faced difficulties in stage 2 and ended the day 34th.

Overall, he is 15th in the general rankings. That is a massive accomplishment, so we look forward to seeing how he performs overall.

Michael Docherty #22

Michael, the 2023 Best Rookie, started in 40th place for Stage 1 and earned the fastest time for the day, but sadly, stage 2 proved to be the kicker, and he crashed out of Dakar 2024.

Charan Moore #73

Charan is back, although this time, not to defend his 2023 Original by Motul winning title as he is competing in Rally 2 – A dream turned reality after two years of “Malle Moto”.

Charan ended stage one in 34th place and managed to race his way to 25th by the end of stage 2.

Stuart Gregory #100

Stuart is taking on the Original by Motul for 3rd year in a row. He ended stage 1 in 82nd place and stage 2 in 86th. Overall, he is currently 81st.

Kerim Fitz-Gerald #124

This is the first Dakar for Kerim, and by stage 1, he had placed 41st; this is likely due to being handed down a 30-minute penalty for missing two weigh points. It is currently unclear where Kerim stands within the Dakar rankings as his statistics have not been updated since stage 1, and there is no indication of a crash out.

Ronald Venter #127

Ronald is also taking on the Dakar for the first time. In stage 1, he earned 69th place, and by the end of stage 2, he was at 88th. He is currently ranked at 82nd overall.

Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) #209

Giniel and Dennis are facing some of the best in the industry and leaving them in the dust. The pair placed 3rd in Stage 1 but, due to some difficulties, ended Stage 2 in 22nd place. Overall, they are currently 14th in the Cars category.

Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) #219

Ending stage 1 in 39th place, the duo took on all the desert challenges and completed stage 2 in 20th place. The pair are looking for redemption after crashing out in 2023.

Gareth Woolridge (pilot) and Boyd Dreyer (co-pilot) #225

Both guys are making their Dakar debuts. Stage 1 was filled with lessons, earning them a 66th finish. Stage 2 was a push, and the duo earned a spot at 48.

Saood Variawa (pilot) with French co-pilot Francois Cazalet #226

First-time Dakar Rookie Saood has already shown he has what it takes. Stage 1 ended with an 11th-place position; however, stage 2 proved to be a challenge, finishing in 38th place.

David Guy Botterill (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) #243

David and Brett have come in hot. This is David’s first Dakar, while Brett is a seasoned co-pilot. The pair earned a 7th-place finish for Stage 1 and kept the pressure on their competitors, placing 13th in Stage 2.

Hennie De Klerk (pilot) and Juan Möhr (co-pilot) #258

After several years away, Hennie and Juan have kept a steady pace in this Dakar. The duo ended Stage 1 at 117th place and Stage 2 at 161st.

Katherine (pilot) and Stephen Lovemore (co-pilot) #742

Katherine and Stephen are taking on the classics this year. The duo ranked 64th in Stage 1 and worked hard to reach 61st in Stage 2.

Adriaan (pilot) and Riaan Botma (co-pilot) #753

The father-son duo are having the best time, placing 60th in Stage 1 of the Classic and working up to 57th in Stage 2.

Sources: Dakar Media Zone

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Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Dakar Highlights: How the Proudly SA Competitors Did in Stages 1 and 2 appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The opening ceremony for Dakar 2024 takes place on the 4th of January 2024 – These are the South Africans taking on the challenge this year:

Saudi Arabia (03 January 2024) – The Dakar is being hosted in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia for the fifth year running. The massive sporting event always kicks off the new year and is the first major sporting event each year.

This year, the gruelling event will run from the 5th of January until the 19th of January. Stage 1 begins in AlUla and ends with Stage 12 in Yanbu. Saturday the 13th of January is the only rest day, where riders, drivers and crews can catch up on sleep and any repairs.

“The route, which will cover an equivalent distance of 5, 000 kilometres, of special stages continues the exploration of Saudi territory, with 60% of all-new sections. A total of nine bivouacs will be set up on a large swathe running west-east, crisscrossing the route in both directions to a final finish in Yanbu, on the shores of the Red Sea.” – Dakar

This year, there will be an added challenge to the event that is set to make things more exciting! It is called the 48-hour stage…

“This is a new stage format, contested over two days with the constraints of a marathon stage, although competitors are permitted to help each other during the evening. But this time, there will be no choice of canteen or repair companions, as the drivers and crews will be spread out over eight different bivouacs. When the clocks strike 4 pm, all vehicles will be required to stop at the next bivouac they come across. With no connection and therefore no visibility of their rivals’ performances, the competitors will camp and set off again at 7 am the following day to complete the remaining section of the route. The tally will be counted after around 600 kilometres of special stage.”

Each year, several South Africans take to the dunes in the hopes of outlasting their fellow international competitors.

These are the South Africans flying the flag high through each stage in Dakar 2024.

• Bradley Cox (#18) – riding a KTM for Bas World KTM Racing Team.
• Michael Docherty (#22) – riding a KTM for Bas World KTM Racing Team.
• Charan Moore (#73) – riding a Husqvarna for HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing.
• Stuart Gregory (#100) – riding a KTM for himself.
• Kerim Fitz-Gerald (#124) – riding a KTM for BAS World KTM Racing.
• Ronald Venter (#127) – riding a KTM for Nomade Racing.
• Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) (#209) – driving a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
• Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) (#219) – driving a Century for Century Racing Factory Team
• Gareth Woolridge (pilot) and Boyd Dreyer (co-pilot) (#225) – driving a Ford Ranger for Ford M Sport in the T1+: Prototype Cross-Country Cars 4×4.
• Saood Variawa (pilot) with French co-pilot Francois Cazalet (#226) – driving a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
• David Guy Botterill (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) (#243) – driving a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
• Hennie De Klerk (pilot) and Juan Möhr (co-pilot) (#258)- a Toyota Hilux in the T1+: Prototype Cross-Country Cars 4×4 class.
• Katherine (pilot) and Stephen Lovemore (co-pilot) (#742)- driving a Toyota HDJ 80 in the Classic class under the team “Dream and the Pap Snoek”.
• Adriaan (pilot) and Riaan Botma (co-pilot) (#753) – driving a Toyota HDJ 80 in the Classic class under the team “Botma”.

Sources: Dakar 2024 Media Zone

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The post Meet the South Africans Taking on Dakar 2024 appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The 2023 Dakar Rally is underway with Stage 3 having just been completed; these are all the South Africans taking part in this year’s event.

Saudi Arabia (03 January 2023) – The Dakar is being hosted in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia for the fourth year running. The massive sporting event always kicks off the new year and is the first major sporting event each year.

Each year, several South Africans take to the dunes in the hopes of outlasting their fellow international competitors.

• Bradley Cox – riding a KTM for Bas World KTM Racing Team – Bike
• Charan Moore – riding a Husqvarna for LVLS Rally – Bike
• Kirsten Landman – riding a KTM for ASP Rope Access International – Bike
• Stuart Gregory – riding a KTM for himself – Bike
• Michael Docherty – riding a Husqvarna for HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing – Bike
• Stevan Wilken – riding a Husqvarna for HT Rally Raid Husqvarna Racing – Bike
• Giniel De Villiers (pilot) and Dennis Murphy (co-pilot) – driving a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
• Brian Baragwanath (pilot) and Leonard Cremer (co-pilot) – driving a Century for Century Racing Factory Team
• Henk Lategan (pilot) and Brett Cummings (co-pilot) – driving a Toyota for Toyota Gazoo Racing
• Ryan Bland (co-pilot) riding with Germany’s Daniel Schröder (pilot) – driving a Nissan for PS Laser
• Gerhard Schutte (co-pilot) riding with UK’s Thomas Bell (pilot) – driving a Red-Lined for Red-Lined TBR
• Eban Passon (pilot) and Leander Pienaar – driving an OT3 for Gallyteam in T3
• Geoff Minnitt (pilot) and Gerhard Snyman – driving a BRP for South African CAN-Am in T3

Take a look at the gruelling route. There are a total of 14 stages running from the 1st of January to the 15th of January 2023.

Some of the notable events so far include Bradley Cox having to pull out of the race after breaking his elbow. Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings have finished stage 3 in second place.

You can watch the daily highlights on DSTV or follow it live on social media here.

Sources: Dakar Rally 2023

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post South Africans at the 2023 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The young South African racer did incredibly well to finish his first Dakar Rally and fulfil a dream he’d been working towards for well over two years.

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (15 January 2022) – Navigating treacherous sand dunes in the Saudi Arabian desert for 13 days while racing against some of the world’s best riders is no easy feat. But for 23-year-old Brad Cox, competing in the Dakar Rally has always been in his blood. Brad – the son of 13-time Dakar participant and ex-KTM factory rider Alfie Cox – completed his first-ever Dakar Rally on Friday, 14 January, where he finished in a respectable 25th position overall and fifth in the GP-2 category. This has pushed him to third in the World Rally Championship rankings.

Competing for BAS World KTM Racing on his KTM-450 motorcycle, the Cato Ridge (KZN) resident started the rally strong, showcasing impressive navigational skills and good speed in the first half of the race.

Unfortunately, he hit a rock in one of the canyons, which caused his fuel tank to leak. Drawing on his resources and years of working with his father at Alfie Cox Racing, Brad was able to repair his bike. While the setback had effectively put him out of the hunt for top position, he was able to complete the race and make his way through to the bivouac.

Commenting on the race at the finish, Brad said: “What an incredible experience to get my first rally done and dusted. I exceeded all my expectations, which I think was the best part. The mechanical on stage nine impacted the overall result a bit, but I couldn’t ask for anything more than being out there every day with the guys – it was incredible. I am over the moon. This was the stepping stone of my rally career and I’m ready for many more great years to come.”

The 2022 Dakar Rally is the third outing in Saudi Arabia, giving racers the chance to explore new landscapes with an even more substantial presence of sand in the specials. The unfamiliar terrain forced riders and crews to decipher the nuances of navigation of the desert and ‘avoid losing bearings in a hodgepodge of tracks’. The Dakar Rally is a massive feat of endurance, mental tenacity and physical stamina and completing it is a testament to incredible skill and dedicated training.

Over the years, Brad has proved himself capable in motocross, enduro and offroad riding, which made rally racing a natural progression. He competed in a number of enduro events the past few years, taking home nine national titles, with his first-ever rally in October – the Rally du Maroc – where he finished third in Rally2 behind American Mason Klein.

The young South African racer did incredibly well to finish his first Dakar Rally and fulfil a dream he’d been working towards for well over two years. His performance indicated quite clearly that Brad is a young rider with a bright future in racing ahead of him.

Brad was able to compete with the help of generous sponsors who were committed to backing his racing dream. These included Leadertread, KTM, BAS Dakar Racing Team, Trademore, PS Laser, Pegasus, Toyota Gazoo Racing and JBFE.

Sources: Yukon | Youtube 

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Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here. 

Click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll hopefully leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post SA’s Brad Cox Continues Family’s Legacy By Completing His First-Ever Dakar Rally! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

The Dakar is a big event at the start of each year and this year we get to celebrate several South African riders taking on the challenge.

Saudi Arabia (04 January 2022) – On the morning of the 1st of January 2022, thousands of car, bike, truck and rally enthusiasts took to the dunes of Saudi Arabia in the hopes of becoming the next Dakar Rally champion.

We have been watching the event, and noted several South African participants. We thought is would be great to honour each of them.

The Dakar is being hosted in the Kindom of Saudi Arabia for the third year running. The massive sporting event always kicks off the new year and is the first major sporting event each year.

“In its third outing in Saudi Arabia, the Dakar continues to explore new landscapes with an even more substantial presence of sand in the specials. Whether on the tracks or surfing vast chains of dunes, the riders, drivers and crews will go head to head on all sorts of sandy terrain, knowing that the nuances of navigation in Saudi Arabia, where competitors have to avoid losing their bearings in a hodgepodge of tracks, are a real game-changer in the battle for the top honours.” – Dakar

Take a look at the gruelling route. There are a total of 12 stages running from the 1st of January to the 14th of January.

Racers in the Motorbike Category

Aaron Mare #6

Aaron is racing a Hero 450 Rally for Hero Motorsports Team Rally. He has been riding since he was 4-years-old and is one to watch.

Bradley Cox #49

Bradley is racing a KTM 450 Factory Replica for Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team. This year marks his first participation in the Dakar.

Stuart Gregory #84

Stuart is racing a KTM 450 Factory Replica for his own independent team. He has self-funded his way to the event. Previously, Stuart competed in the 2019 event, taking himself all the way through to stage 8.

Walter Terblanche #87

Walter is racing a KTM 450 Factory Replica for Bas Dakar KTM Racing Team. He first made his debut in 2017 where he had to abandon the race during stage 4 and has returned to the sport to finish the race.

Charan Moore #123

Charan is racing a KTM 450 Rally Replica for his own independent team. This year marks his first participation in the Dakar.

Werner Kenny #153

Werner is racing a KTM 2022 model for his own independent team. This is his first participation in the event. He is actually from Lesotho but is racing under the ZAF listing. He hopes to become the first person from Lesotho to finish a Dakar race.

Racers in Auto FIA T1/T2

Giniel De Villiers and Dennis Murphy #207

Racing a Toyota GR DKR Hilux for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Giniel De Villiers drives and Dennis Murphy as co-driver. The team’s Dakar history is an incredible one! Giniel has taken part in 18 consecutive rallies.

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings #225

Racing a Toyota GR DKR Hilux for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Henk Lategan drives, joined by Brett Cummings as his co-driver. Henk started his Dakar journey in 2021 while this is Brett’s fourth time in the race.

Brian Baragwanath and Leonard Cremer #230

Racing a Century CR6 for Century Racing, Brian Baragwanath drives, joined by Leonard Cremer as co-driver. Brian first started his Dakar journey as a quad rider in 2015 but in moved over to the car category in 2021 after a 5-year break due to injury. This is Leonard’s first Dakar.

Shameer Variawa and Danie Stassen #233

Racing a Toyota GR DKR Hilux for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Shameer Variawa drives, joined by co-driver Danie Stassen. Shameer launched his Dakar career in 2019 but had to abandon the race during stage 9. He returned in 2021, finishing 21st. This is Danie’s first Dakar event.

Christiaan Visser and Rodney Burke #253

Racing a Century CR6 for Century Racing, Christiaan Visser drives alongside co-driver Rodney Burke. Christiaan has two decades of racing experience. Rodney made his Dakar debut in 2016.

Schalk Burger and Henk Janse Van Vuuren #271

Racing a Century CR6 for Century Racing, Schalk Burger drives alongside co-driver Henk Janse Van Vuuren. Schalk and Henk both make their Dakar debut this year.

Ernest Roberts and Henry Khone #286

Racing a Century CR6 for Century Racing, Ernest Roberts drives alongside co-driver Henry Khone. The 2022 Dakar is Ernest and Henry’s first appearance in the sport.

Racers in T4 FIA SSV

Geoff Minnitt and Siegfried Rousseau #441

Racing a BRP CAN-AM Maverick XRS for South Racing CAN-AM Geoff Minnitt drives alongside co-driver Siegfried Rousseau. Both Geoff and Siegfried are making their Dakar debut this year.

Sources: Dakar

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here. 

Click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Who’s Who: South Africans Featuring in the Dakar 2022 appeared first on Good Things Guy.