State of disaster in KwaZulu-Natal forces cancellation of Sugarbelt 400
This, however, does not mean the event is lost to competitors or the area and the SA Rally-Raid Exco has assured the Beaumont Farmer’s Association, landowners and involved parties of its commitment for the 2023 season.
A food donation initiative sponsored by Malalane Toyota, a member of the #TeamHilux Rally-Raid squad, that was scheduled to take place during the event, will still go ahead with 1 000 learners from six schools in the Eston/Mid-Illovo area benefitting from this gesture.
“The traditional Sugarbelt 400 has a proud history and is regarded by many as a true cross-country event and we have every intention of returning to the Eston/Mid Illovo area next year,” said SA Rally-Raid CEO, Archie Rutherford.
The rest of the season will consist of four challenging events.
Next up will be the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA (TGRSA) 1000 Desert Race that will take place over three days on June 24, 25 and 26 over 1 000km in the Upington area of the Northern Cape.
Competitors will just have enough time to catch their breath and recover from the testing marathon race before travelling to Bronkhorstspruit for the halfway mark event of the season on August 19 and 20.
From there the popular Nampo 400 will be next on the calendar when teams will return to the Bothaville area in the Free State to compete on September 30 and October 1, before rounding off the season with the Parys 400 on November 12.
The SA Rally-Raid Exco, in collaboration with the landowners, are investigating the possibility of staging the Parys 400 as a double-header on November 11 and 12, featuring two one-day events.
Should this be feasible, the SA Rally-Raid Championship hopes to make an announcement by mid-July.
Source: SACCS / Photos: Andre Schoeman
