MOTUL BACKS THE BRAVEST OF THE BRAVE AS THE SA SAFARI RALLY BRINGS W2RC THRILLS TO SOUTH AFRICA.  

It’s the first-ever South African Safari Rally where Mzanzi motorsport fans have the chance to watch some of their World Rally-Raid Championship and Dakar Rally heroes in action, plus support the ultimate competitors in the Original by Motul class.

The Original by Motul, or ‘Malle Moto’ category, is believed by aficionados to stay closest to the true spirit of rally-raid. Renowned as the hardest way to compete in rally-raid, this class involves competitors having to do all their own maintenance. 

“Bringing the W2RC to South African soil is a monumental moment for local motorsport—one that puts us firmly on the global rally-raid map,” commented Mercia Jansen, Motul General Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa. “We’re proud to fuel this spirit of endurance and passion, especially through our continued support of the Original by Motul class. This event gives South Africans a rare chance to see their rally heroes in action—right here on home turf,” she added.

There are five tough-as-nails riders signed up to compete in the Original by Motul (OBM) event: three from France (Benjamin Pousset and Matthieu Jauffraud, both riding KTM motorcycles; and Florian Bancilhon on a Yamaha); India’s Jatin Jain on a KOVE motorcycle; and Xavier Gregoire from Belgium on a GasGas.

In addition to access to advice and insights from Motul’s onsite technical experts and unlimited Motul products (including oils, lubricants, and the MC Care range specifically formulated for motorcycles), riders in this class will also receive Motul equipment (including an environment mat, a tent to sleep in each night, and a “trommel” or trunk for their personal belongings, spare parts and tools). Otherwise, of course, they’re on their own when it comes to daily running repairs on their motorcycles and coping with the challenging conditions en route to the finish line.

South African Charan Moore, the Original by Motul category winner at the 2023 Dakar Rally, knows just what it takes to go the distance in the class: “Firstly, you need to have a very good mechanical understanding of how your bike works, because you’re the one who has to fix it if it breaks. Your knowledge needs to extend across electronics, hydraulics, oil analysis, engines, suspension… the whole lot! The next critical element is being able to manage yourself and your immediate environment. Time management, body management, bike management, and nutrition are all crucial to success because fatigue is the enemy of planning.”

The SA Safari Rally will form round 3 of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) and is taking place at the Sun City resort in North West Province from 18 - 24 May 2025. This epic event will cover 2 600 km, including the two-day marathon stage.

The top motorcycle classes are expected to generate a lot of fan interest thanks to the participation of Botswana’s reigning W2RC champion Ross Branch (Hero Motosports Team Rally powered by Motul) who will be looking to get his season back on track after disappointment at the Dakar and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. South African rider Michael Docherty (Bas World KTM Racing Team) is currently lying second in the W2RC championship in the Rally 2 class and will be keen to build on his fifth-place finish at the Dakar Rally and victory in Abu Dhabi. 

The car category will feature well-known names like reigning W2RC champion, five-time Dakar Rally winner and current leader of this year’s W2RC championship, Nasser Al-Attiyah and navigator Edouard Boulanger. Lining up alongside them will be Spanish Dakar legends Carlos Sainz and navigator Lucas Cruz, and Nani Roma and navigator Alex Haro.

South Africa’s rich rally-raid heritage will be reflected in the fact that crews from Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, Red-Lined Motorsport, Century Racing, the Schröder WCT team, #TeamHilux and Neil Woolridge Motorsport will all be participating.

“The South African Safari Rally will be a tough test for competitors, machines and the lubricants that keep them moving,” commented Motul’s Head of Sales (SA), Taki Bogiages. “At Motul, it’s never just about sponsoring an event; instead, we live it. The feedback we gain from our Factory Teams and the Original by Motul riders in these extreme conditions helps ensure we maintain our edge and keep pushing the limit of performance and reliability in Africa,” he added.

To follow the SA Safari Rally action check Motul SA on Instagram and Facebook.