Alexandre Pinto and Bernardo Oliveira, current leaders of the World Rally-Raid Championship in the SSV category, are heading to the South African Safari Rally, a competition making its debut on the prestigious W2RC 2025 calendar as the third round of the season. From May 18 to 24, the Old Friends Rally Team duo will navigate the stunning tracks of South Africa at the wheel of a Can-Am.
“We’re approaching this race cautiously. It’s very important that we finish the rally—without ruling out going for the win—but we’ll be aiming for a prudent race strategy. The championship comes first. It’s my first time in South Africa, and this event is also new to the world championship. There isn’t much information about the course, which puts all drivers on equal footing,” says Alexandre Pinto, who adds:
“I’m highly motivated, and so is Bernardo. We and the whole team know the job we have to do. The most important thing is the championship and staying focused on maintaining the lead we’ve held since the Dakar Rally. We have a solid advantage, but we know motorsport can be unpredictable, with many factors beyond our control. There are many variables and unexpected challenges. We’re staying focused and motivated for this next challenge,” says the Portuguese driver, who claimed victory at the Dakar Rally and solidified his lead in the SSV class at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Heading into the third round of the W2RC, he holds a comfortable lead, keeping his goal of becoming World Champion well within reach.
The South African Safari Rally will take competitors through tracks ranging from hot, dry Central Africa to more fertile mountainous regions, covering 1,600 km of timed stages. The rally’s hub will be in Sun City, a luxury resort and home to a world-renowned casino, both located in the North West Province. The bivouac will be based in Sun City. The event, created by renowned seven-time South African Cross Country Champion Evan Hutchison, promises a varied route consisting of 48% dirt roads, 27% gravel, 15% rocky terrain, and 10% sand.
Technical and administrative checks will take place on May 18. The sporting side of the rally begins on May 19 with a 24 km prologue featuring open fields, bush trails, and a small forest section. This is followed by five stages. The first stage takes place about 200 km from Sun City, in Lichtenburg. On May 21 and 22, competitors will face the first and second parts of the marathon stage, held in Barberspan and Stella. May 22 will be the only night where the bivouac is located in Stella, and drivers will not be allowed any external mechanical assistance. The fourth stage will take place in Skilpadshek, and the fifth and final stage will bring the rally back to Sun City, where the Power Selective Section and the prize-giving ceremony will be held.
Automatic/AI translation of the Portuguese version
Source: Alexandre Pinto official press release
