Mantshwabisi returns as Dakar Rally qualifier
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday June 10, 2023 06:00
TGR 1000 will return to local shores for the first time since 2019. The race will be held in Jwaneng from June 23 to 25 as it makes a return to the mining town for the first time in five years. The 2023 edition of the race has been incorporated as a ‘Road to Dakar’ competition. ‘Mantshwabisi’ was held in Upington, South Africa (SA) in the last two years due to logistical glitches in Botswana. During the same period, the race was not used as a qualifier for the premier, Dakar Rally. As Mantshwabisi returns ‘home’, local competitors will be itching to score good times to book a ticket to the Dakar Rally. The three-day marathon event is a part of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), which also forms part of the Botswana Motor Sport National Off-Road Championship. “The event will again incorporate the ‘Road to Dakar’ competition and with Toyota’s sponsorship, as part of the TGR 1000 Kalahari Botswana Desert Race, this competition opens the door for local competitors to achieve their dream as the prize is an entry to participate in the Dakar Rally,” SARRC CEO Archie Rutherford said in a statement.
The local terrain is among a few selected around the world and it promises to attract some of the continent’s elite competitors. ‘Mantshwabisi’ will feature a feast of national championship racing with round three of the SARRC and rounds two and three of the Botswana Motorsport BMS Championships. The roadmap has been issued to the competitors and they now face a gruelling but exciting 1,000km of racing. For the 2023 edition of the SARRC, competitors will have to take on a 61km prologue on Day One (Friday) to determine the starting order for the race on Day Two (June, 24) with the fastest 10 teams having the opportunity to draw and choose their starting positions. The route will consist of two loops of 220 kilometres that will take competitors to the east of Jwaneng towards Sese, Betesankwe, Tsonyane and Lefhoko before turning back to Jwaneng, while they will have to complete a 214 loop twice towards the south-western side of Jwaneng on Sunday.
Competitors can expect a route consisting of a variety of tight and fast sections and will bypass Mokhomma and Semane before turning in a northerly direction, crossing the A2 up to the northern district border, before returning to Jwaneng on the western side of the Debswana mine. On the final day, competitors will start the race route stretching towards the south-western side of Jwaneng with the results of Saturday's race determining the starting order for the first of the two loops on the last day. Competitors, who fail to complete the racing section on Saturday, are presented with a chance on the final day, as a haul of points towards the various championships would be up for grabs. The route has been praised to contain all the characteristics of the Desert Racing experience.
The TGR 1000 has grown into one of the biggest sporting events in Botswana over the years with thousands of spectators within and abroad. Organisers have advised enthusiasts to exercise full caution during the race and to follow the race on the RallySafe App which is available as a free download on the iStore and Google PlayStore.