Parys, Free State – The quiet riverside town of Parys is about to roar to life this weekend as some of the best rally-raid drivers in the world descend on the Free State for back-to-back national championship races – the INGCO Parys 400 on Friday, 15 August, and the INGCO Vaal 400 on Saturday, 16 August.
The South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) is serving up nearly 800km of full-throttle action in just two days – an ultimate test of speed, skill and endurance that could prove pivotal in the 2025 title chase.
“This is one of the most demanding events of the year – two races in two days is a mental and physical battle,” says SA Rally-Raid CEO Archie Rutherford. “It’s Dakar-style preparation overnight. You have to be quick, but you also have to preserve your car. The time for champions to shine is now.”
A star-studded line-up – from legends to future champions
Among the big names, Giniel de Villiers will once again race for Team Hilux, bringing a wealth of experience and Dakar-winning pedigree. They’ll be joined by a crop of rising stars making waves both locally and internationally: Young guns 20 year old Saood Variawa in the Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux and 21-year-old Jayden Els, an ex-World Karting Champion now embarking on his first full season with Red-Lined together with rising stars Gareth Woolridge in the Castrol Neil Woolridge Motorsport Ford Rally-Raid Team and Guy Botterill with Toyota Gazoo.
All are Dakar aspirants with notable achievements already under their belts. Woolridge finished 4th in the W2RC at Sun City, while Variawa has won a Dakar stage and Botterill finished 6th overall. Both Variawa and Botterill also took stage wins at the world championship event held in South Africa in May. “These guys are all vying for the top spot,” says Rutherford. “In 20 years’ time, we could be talking about one of them as a legend in South African motorsport – but for now, they’ve still got to earn their stripes. This could be the start of creating another legend.”
A motorsport spectacle – and more
Stonehenge River Lodge will once again serve as Race HQ and Designated Service Park (DSP), offering spectacular riverside viewing and easy access for fans. The event is also a major tourism boost for Parys, bringing hundreds of visitors to local restaurants, guest houses, and attractions.
For those wanting the ultimate experience, VIP packages offer gourmet hospitality, prime viewing points, meet-and-greet opportunities with drivers, and even helicopter flips for a bird’s-eye view of the action.
Whether you’re there for the roar of the engines, the thrill of the racing, or the electric atmosphere, this weekend in Parys promises rally-raid at its fiercest – a rare chance to see local and international motorsport legends go head-to-head in one unforgettable showdown.
Follow all the action on the RallySafe App (free on iStore and Google Play), or on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube at South African Rally-Raid Championship. VIP Package info: lori@sarallyraid.co.za