W2RC 2025 calendar to include two races in Africa

The 2025 season of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) will kick off in January in Saudi Arabia with the traditional Dakar event, followed by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge in February. Both events have been part of the calendar since 2022, solidifying their place as the start of the competition in the Middle East. The season will conclude, as usual, in October with the Rallye du Maroc.

New additions and changes to the calendar

Among the novelties of 2025, the date change of the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal stands out, moving from April to September. This will allow the event to become part of a combined tour with the Rallye du Maroc. Teams will have two weeks to cross the Mediterranean and prepare their vehicles between these two key championship events.

One of the most notable additions is the inclusion of the South African Safari Rally, which will take place at the end of May. This event marks the first time that W2RC will feature two races in Africa, reinforcing the continent's presence in the calendar. The rally in South Africa will be organized by the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) team, reviving memories of previous competitions in the region.

South Africa and the departure of Argentina

The absence of Argentina in 2025 is one of the most notable changes. According to David Castera, director of motorsports at ASO, this adjustment does not mean that the Desafío Ruta 40 is permanently off the table. The alternating of dates across seasons is part of the promoter’s strategy to ensure event rotation in future calendars.

Expansion and adaptation of W2RC

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem expressed his satisfaction with the championship's expansion, highlighting the addition of South Africa. Meanwhile, Jorge Viegas, president of the FIM, emphasized the importance of having five events spread across three continents over a ten-month span, further strengthening the global status of the championship.