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Dacia Sandriders Gear Up For Inaugural South African Safari Rally Adventure
The Dacia Sandriders team is set to embark on a new adventure in South Africa as Sun City hosts the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship for the first time. The team, led by Nasser Al-Attiyah and Édouard Boulanger, aims to maintain their lead in the championship standings. Team principal Tiphanie Isnard expressed their approach with humility but a clear goal.
Following their victory at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in February, Al-Attiyah and Boulanger have secured top positions in the W2RC Drivers’ and Navigators’ rankings. The Dacia Sandriders also climbed to second place in the Manufacturers’ standings. This success sets a strong foundation as they prepare for the South African Safari Rally.
The South African Safari Rally marks a new style of event for The Dacia Sandriders, who have previously only competed in desert-based rally-raids. The diverse terrain includes gravel and dirt tracks, open savanna, dense bush, and mountainous sections. This presents a fresh challenge for the team, eager to gain experience and knowledge of this type of terrain.
Technical director Philip Dunabin highlighted preparations made for this rally. Modifications include new bodywork elements to protect against vegetation damage and water crossings. Adjustments were also made to ensure maximum engine power at high altitudes between 1000 and 1500 metres above sea level.
The rally begins with a 25-kilometre Prologue on 19 May, followed by Stage 1 on 20 May covering 285 kilometres southwest of Sun City. Stage 2 on 21 May marks part one of the Marathon Stage with crews covering 418 kilometres to reach the overnight camp. Part two resumes on 22 May with Stage 3 covering another 537 kilometres.
Stage 4 on 23 May runs close to South Africa’s border with Botswana, adding 698 kilometres to the total distance. The final Stage 5 on 24 May measures 290 kilometres near Sun City, including eight kilometres of the Power Selective Section.
Weather Conditions and Technical Preparations
During May, northwest South Africa typically experiences dry conditions with temperatures ranging from five degrees centigrade at night to 26 degrees during the day. However, light rain remains a possibility. These conditions require careful preparation from teams competing in this challenging environment.
Nasser Al-Attiyah expressed confidence despite facing new terrain: "Although it’s new terrain for the Dacia Sandrider, we start the South African Safari Rally with confidence because the team has done a very good job to prepare for this event." His focus is on maintaining championship positions while showcasing performance across mixed terrains.
Drivers' Perspectives
Sébastien Loeb shared his perspective: "I've been to South Africa once before for the World Rallycross Championship... From what I have seen... we will experience broken surfaces and challenging terrain." He aims to finish strong after setbacks earlier in the season while avoiding past mistakes.
The inaugural South African Safari Rally covers a total distance of 2,759 kilometres. This extensive route provides ample opportunity for teams like The Dacia Sandriders to demonstrate their capabilities across diverse terrains while gaining valuable experience within motorsport's toughest discipline.
Dacia has consistently offered value-for-money cars since its relaunch by Renault Group in 2004 across Europe and Mediterranean countries. Known for simple yet reliable vehicles that cater well towards customers' lifestyles; models such as Sandero have become market references alongside others like Duster or Jogger among others present globally today including UK where over nine million vehicles sold since launch back January '13 alone!
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