South Africa Safari

The Africa Safari Rally - November 10 - 30 - 2012.

November 2012 sees the start of our next long distance event in South Africa. A drive of three weeks through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana for Classic cars and 4x4's.
For those who are interested in competition sections there will be one or two a day, but if you prefer a gentle drive, there is the Safari class, which just visits the important controls. Due to the nature of the countries we are passing through, and the limited high quality accommodation available, there are a strictly limited number of start places. Full information can be obtained from our rally office – info@thetrial.nl .

If you wish to pre register, 
contact: bart@rietbergen.com
Download the entryform or
Register on line

The three week event will take you through the territories of the “Big Five” game animals as well as five unmissable highlights.
You cross the immense sand dunes of the Kalahari desert.
You visit Victoria Falls on the border of Botswana.
You follow the Garden route along the beautiful coast of South Africa.
You visit the wineries, near Stellenbosch.
And best of all, you drive in your own car through one of the best Game Reserves to meet up with the other Big Five. 

The event has two classes. The route for the Trial Class consists of 21 days of mild rallying. The total route length is about 7000 kilometers. The Safari Class caters for those crews who prefer camaraderie, just driving the route under less stress and with time to stop, film and take pictures. Just visit the controls during the time that they are open. Nobody will question your intended level of participation – it is entirely up to you, but we have noticed that the “Safari class” competitors seem to smile more!  The daily routes are divided into regularity sections, where both driver and the navigator can show there skills and some special tests on private tracks where the driver can really give the car its head.

Arrive and drive, is another option. A four wheel drive car can be included in your entry. For details contact the rally office.

Do I need rally experience? No you don’t.
You need a driver’s license, common sense and a great interest in the flip side of our world that is ready for you to explore and enjoy.

For the Trial class anything first registered before 31^st December 1975. The car needs to be insured, have passed a MoT and have proper vehicle documentation. The Safari class will accept classics first build up to December 31, 1978 as well as 4x4’s of any age.

Experienced service crews will follow the rally to make sure that nobody gets stranded. They are there to get you going again when you are stuck, not to do your daily maintenance.
For now the route is still under construction, we are in Africa on the moment you read this.

Our motto “the best available” also goes for the carefully selected hotels. But bear in mind that we also seek the best available rally routes, which are not always where the fairytale hotels can be found.
Entry to the Safari Rally is by invitation only. You may apply for an invitation to compete, using the application form. Within four weeks of us receiving your form, you will be notified whether your application has been accepted. It goes without saying that older cars are high on our preference list, along with anything out of the ordinary.
Our team has successfully organized 11 Winter Trials, The Carrera Copacabana, The Himalaya Trial, The Trial to the Nile and many other special events.

Chairman Bart Rietbergen has raced, rallied and organized since 1967 and rally secretary Jan Meester rallied and organized for over 30 years as well.

Our route master is Mark Appleton.

 Altogether our team represents over 100 years of rally experience.