South Africans Excel at 2021 Dakar Rally
Media Information SOUTH AFRICANS EXCEL AT 2021 DAKAR RALLY The Dakar Rally, regarded as the toughest motorsport event in the world, by all account lived up to its irrefutable reputation with the running of the 2021 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. At the launch of the 2021 Dakar Rally route, ASO the organisers of the event, described the route as a journey of exploration and more difficult than the 2020 version. This year’s event might have copped criticism for perhaps being a little too tough, but it brought the best out of South African teams, competitors and vehicle manufacturers. “South African vehicle manufacturers, competitors and teams have once again risen to the occasion,” said Archie Rutherford, chief executive officer of the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS). “The results again reflect that South African Cross Country racing has had a major impact on the world stage. “All the South African participants did us proud and the incentive is there for other teams and individuals to follow their dream to experience the Dakar.” On an event plagued by punctures and navigational challenges, it was the Toyota Gazoo Racing squad that spearheaded the South African attack. Nasser Al Attiyah, a two-time winner of the Dakar Rally and Mathieu Baumel, runners up in this year’s Dakar Rally were always in contention for a top three podium finish while 2009 Dakar winner Giniel de Villiers and Spanish navigator, Alex Haro, had a torrid time, and only escaped one stage without multiple punctures, finished a credible eight overall. Shameer Variawa and Dennis Murphy, fifth in the 2020 SACCS overall Production Vehicle championship and in their first Dakar together, had their share of misfortune including multiple punctures and a broken side shaft, delivered a sterling performance to finish 21st overall.
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