Since the famed Toyota 1000km Desert Race (TDR1000) ceased competition in Botswana, there has never been a race longer than 500km and the organisers of the Botswana Rally-Raid Championship (BORRC) want a return of the double event. The local authorities have over the last five years had a back-and-forth engagement with their South African counterparts over the TDR1000 and eventually the event moved from Botswana. The last edition was in 2023, which was only the second since 2019. BORRC, an inaugural car off-racing championship is making positive strides in its first season and would see the introduction of a 1,000km race in 2025. The organisers of the competition, Cyro Motorsport Group, in conjunction with Botswana Motor Sport (BMS), hosted the third round of the championship in Gakgatla, dubbed Gakgatla 250, last weekend.
The race attracted 15 vehicle competitors comprising eight local teams and seven from South Africa. Speaking to MmegiSport this week, BORRC’s Moizuddin Ahmad said Gakgatla 250 set a different terrain to the previous two races at Jwaneng and Mantshwabisi. BORRC aimed to provide a different platform for off-road racing in Botswana, showcasing the different terrains the country has to offer. He highlighted that the race has international appeal hence the need for the inclusion of a marathon event in the next season. “The race attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. Spectators and competitors were thrilled with the day's racing events and as the race organisers Cyro Motorsport Group had prepared a demanding route with many spectator-friendly and safe points which were manned by strong Botswana Police presence and the race marshals. The final round of the 2024 Botswana Off-Road Racing Championship will be held on December 7, 2024, promising to be our largest and most impactful event of the year building up for the 2025 racing season with the pinnacle being Botswana’s very own 1, 000km international race over three days in 2025,” said Ahmad.
Last Saturday, the duo of Andre van der Walt and co-driver Kevin Barker in a Toyota Hilux held on to their lead with all they could as Mohammed Noor in his Porter A77, had closed down the gap to within five minutes in the last 40km. However, Noor suffered a gearbox failure. Sekoma locals, Stefan Eloff and Jacob Brunette stormed home to take place second place overall and first place in the special vehicle and Class G in an amazing drive from the local team for their first race in BORRC. Local sensation Noor with his vast experience was able to nurse his Porter to the finish line and took third place overall, first in Class A and second in the special vehicle. BORRC kicked off their inaugural championship with a four-round championship and could extend it to six or seven rounds in 2025.
