27 Jun 2013

Followers of the 1 000 Toyota Kalahari Desert Race should brace themselves for new things next year as organisers plan to shift the race headquarters from Kumakwane.

Therefore, after four years of hosting the Kalahari 1000 Desert Race, Kumakwane officially ceased to host the event this year.

Southern Africa chairman of 4 Wheel Drive Club, Alan Reid said in an interview that organisers had drafted some criteria and a couple of places had been identified. However, the new place would only be announced in September.

Talks with stakeholders were ongoing, especially with communities that were likely to be affected. Even though organisers were tight lipped about potential hosts, chief executive officer of Southern African National Championship, Richard Schilling said the new location should be an hour’s drive northwards or southwards of Gaborone.

“We want a place where people would be able to drive back home after the race,” he said.  Schilling said the venue might change because the environment needed chance to rehabilitate while people also needed to experience something new.

He further explained that the issue of congestion had always been a worrying factor that necessitated the move from Game City in Gaborone. However, they continued to experience a lot of congestion even in Kumakwane.

Commenting on the route, Schilling said the Kalahari 1000 Desert Race was the longest in Southern Africa. He explained that it was recognised by the Dakar rally organisers because they said it was well organised and challenging. “That is why winners get free entry at the Dakar rally,” Schilling said.   ENDS