Did you watch the Dakar this year and yearn to be a factory rider? Imagine blasting over the sand dunes with ease and crossing the finish line victorious before being mobbed by the finest South American honeys for being such a phenomenal rider…and good looking too!
Well now, instead of just dreaming about it and waking up to cold coffee, you can actually partake in Africa’s own version of the Dakar, The Namaqua African Safari Marathon Rally.
Taking place form the 24th April - 4th May 2014, this event will replicate each and every aspect of the Dakar right here in the Western Cape. You’ll stay in a tented bivouac, eat meals with your fellow riders and team members, ride hard for hundreds of kilometres every day and hopefully cross the finish line 5 days later, earning your finishers medal and bragging rights over your mates.
Yes that’s right! A true hard core adventure for all ranging from pro’s to adventure bikers who’ll be accommodated within the three main categories; Racers, Rally Raiders and Touring spectators.
Racers: R 13850
The Seriaas okes competing in this discipline will be navigating by road book, Dakar style. They will need to cover distances of between 350- 600km per day and be self-sufficient with a great sense of direction and mechanical sympathy. Various classes will make up the Racers, depending on what type of bike and fuel range you have. Please see the website for further info. https://www.namaquaafricanrally.com/wmenu.php
Rally Raid: R 9850
This is the class that RAD moto will be participating in; every day we will be led out onto the race course by an experienced navigator in groups of 10 riders including a backup sweeper. We will run most of the course but be back at the finish in time to cheer the Seriaas okes in each day.
This is the closest you’ll ever get to racing in a Dakar, without actually competing and receiving the adoration of all those screaming honeys. It will be tough to complete, but that’s the point. A familiarity of riding in sand will be a necessity as well as the ability to ride at pace for hours on end, five days in a row.
Touring spectators: R 9850
GPS waypoints will be provided to this class and you will be able to follow this route to all of the greatest vantage points at your leisure. Most of this group will find accommodation in and around the bivouac town of Vredendal, sleep in comfort and make a real holiday of the Namaqua Rally.
For all the info please visit https://www.namaquaafricanrally.com/wmenu.php
Entries will need to be done on line once you have decided which group you’d like to participate in but please let me know if you’d like to be involved in RAD Moto’s package deal listed below…
RAD Moto Namaqua package:
RAD Moto will be providing the following services:
• Return flights organised to Cape town international and back
• Transfers from the airport to town where we’ll be staying from the 24th-26th April and to Wellington to collect and deliver your motorcycle.
• Accommodation at the Sun International hotel in Cape town for the above nights and the 3rd of May before departing back to JHB
• Full mechanical support from RAD moto during the Rally and while travelling to and from the event in Vredendal
• Awesome Team RAD Moto Goodie bag and Team Shirt.
Costing for this package still needs to be finalised, so please let me know of your intention to be included and I’ll add you to our provisional list. We’re estimating a fee of around R11000.00 but this could be reduced with group bookings so let me know by Tuesday the 18th March please.
This is an expensive undertaking folks but remember, its 10 days of epic adventuring and memories that you will never forget. Just imagine the stories that you’ll have after this one. Riding alongside and competing against the best endurance riders from Africa and some world renowned names that have already entered; that’s got to be special?
All this is in addition to the incredible African Marathon Safari Rally package you are entitled to once you enter the official event as advertised on the web page. For those unable to connect, here’s a brief summary:
• 6 nights of festivity and accommodation in the African Safari Rally bivouac. Tents and matrasses will be supplied.
• All meals for the 6 night’s and 5 days of bivouac life.
• Bike transport to and from JHB to Wellington, courtesy of Junior Smith logistics.
• Transport of 1 trommel from JHB – Vredendal -JHB
• Fuel for the Racers and Rally Raid classes courtesy of Brent Oil.
• Personal tracker and panic button for rider security to be fitted at scrutineering in Cape Town
• Helicopter medical evacuations
• 4x4 medical assistance
• MSA event licence and personal liability insurance for the event
• Race entry and a ticket to the prestigious awards dinner.
As you can see folks, this is an amazing event and worthy of all our support.
RAD Moto is honoured to be involved and we’re certain that with the effort and dedication that George Booker and his team have put into the 1st Namaqua African Safari Rally that this event will be a sure fire success and soar in popularity over the forthcoming years.
Wouldn’t you like to be part of the inaugural team and write your name in the history books?
Please get in touch with me – [email protected] – for further info and let’s go create your future, RAD Moto style!
