Africa has a new motorsport hero! Botswana’s Ross Branch has made history, becoming the first African rider to win the World Rally Raid Championship, a triumph that cements Africa’s place in the global motorsport arena.
Botswana (12 October 2024) – Africa has just gained a new champion in the world of motorsport, and it’s time to celebrate! Ross Branch, a proud son of Botswana, has made history by becoming the first rider from the continent to win the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC).
This achievement isn’t just a personal triumph for Ross – it’s a moment of immense pride for the entire continent.
Ross, representing Hero Motosports Team Rally powered by Motul, has taken the rally world by storm, proving his unmatched talent and dedication. Known as “The Kalahari Ferrari,” Ross has spent a lifetime chasing adventure and pushing the limits. Now he stands as a world champion – an inspiration for riders everywhere, especially those from Africa.
Ross secured this incredible achievement on African soil, wrapping up the final stage of the Rallye du Maroc to become the 2024 W2RC Champion. After a fantastic season that began with a podium finish at the Dakar Rally earlier this year, Ross only needed to complete the final race to cement his legacy. His journey from second place at the Dakar to becoming the World Rally Raid Champion is one for the history books.
What makes this story even more remarkable is that although Ross isn’t South African, he hails from Southern Africa and Botswana is a neighbour to us (and a hop and a skip from Joburg)! That’s more than enough for us to claim him as our own! His grit and determination shine brightly, and his victory is a win for all of Africa.
From a young age, Ross has been no stranger to speed and adventure. He started racing at the tender age of four and has since become a force to be reckoned with in rally racing. With two Dakar stage wins, a World Championship win in Kazakhstan in 2021, and seven victories in his home event – the Botswana 1000 Desert Race – Ross’ career has been nothing short of extraordinary. Now, he adds the ultimate title to his list of achievements: World Rally Raid Champion.
Reflecting on his journey, Ross said, “It’s been an incredible season, and to end it with the championship title means the world to me. My team has been incredible, and the support from my fans across the world has kept me going. I’m proud to represent Africa on the global stage.”
This success hasn’t come without hard work. Ross’ dedication, combined with the reliability of his Hero 450 motorcycle and support from partners like Motul, has been key to his triumph. His passion for rally racing, along with the backing of the Hero Motosports Team, has paved the way for this momentous win. The team, based in Jaipur, India, has been competing since 2016 and is the first Indian team to achieve a podium finish at the Dakar Rally. Now, with Ross’ victory, they’ve brought even more global attention to the sport.
Ross’s incredible journey reminds us that dreams have no boundaries. Africa is proud to have its first World Rally Raid Champion, and his success is a reminder of the potential and talent that exists on our continent.
Here’s to celebrating Ross and his historic achievement – proving that no matter where you’re from, you can conquer the world!
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