Race Registration

The South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) returns to the historic town of Vryheid in the Zululand region of Northern KwaZulu-Natal for the penultimate round of the prestigious 2026 Championship, which due to irregular weather conditions, has been condensed into the last five months of an erratic year.

The VAPS HCV Vryheid 400 will form the fourth round of the 2026 SARRC with the overall and various class championship titles still wide open, the two-day race is expected to draw a full field of competitors that will produce racing action at the highest level. The action will take place from the Vryheid Airfield where the Designated Service Point (DSP) as well as the Start/Finish and Race Headquarters will be situated, and the planned route that proved popular with competitors will add to the fierce racing action.

The taxing route will comprise a short 20-kilometre Qualifying Race on Friday, 9 October that will start at 09:30 to determine the starting order for the 70-kilometre Stage One at 13:00, with its unique characteristics set in the lowlands amongst farmlands and the river where the action will play out on fast roads and tracks..

These results will determine the order for the line-up of Stage Two on Saturday, 10 October when the first team takes on the 175-kilometre racing section at 08:30 on a route meandering across well-maintained forest roads before encountering two magnificent mountain trails encompassing technical, flowing and interesting sections that will add a distinct level of excitement to the event.

After completion of Stage Two, competitors will take a compulsory 30-minute service break at the DSP before embarking on the third and final 175-kilometre stage in anticipation of receiving the chequered flag and popping the bubbly on the podium at the Vryheid Flying Club.

The route includes a bit of everything, and the undulating terrain makes for an exciting and challenging experience that will test the concentration.  And those who can deliver the complete package, will be rewarded with well-earned results.

Thanks to the landowners and farmers who have been incredibly co-operative, competitors and spectators can look forward to an exciting and successful event.

Spectators are welcome as the compact nature of the route provides multiple vantage points to witness this world class action.

The Vryheid Flying Club, the custodians of the Vryheid Airfield are well prepared for the occasion offering something to satisfy everyone’s taste on the menu – from boerewors rolls to bagels with a variety of tasty fillings while the local Wimpy will also be offering a selected menu from the beer garden where music will add to the carnival atmosphere of the event.

Images: Dave Ledbitter 

JACO JONCK

COMPETITOR LIAISON

Jaco Jonck serves as Competitor Relations Officer for SARRC, acting as the primary liaison between competitors, teams, and event officials. With a strong technical background and a deep understanding of the operational and regulatory aspects of motorsport, he supports competitors in navigating event procedures, regulations, and administrative requirements. Jaco plays a key role in ensuring that competitor concerns are addressed promptly and professionally, helping to maintain a positive, well-managed racing environment.

WAMMY HADDAD

TECHNICAL ADVISOR

William “Wammy” Haddad is a long-standing and respected member of the South African rally raid community, bringing decades of hands-on experience in off-road and cross-country motorsport to the South African Rally Raid Championship (SARRC). Renowned for his technical knowledge and practical approach, Wammy supports competitors and officials across events, helping ensure vehicles meet safety and regulatory requirements and that operations run smoothly.

LORI ZAVATTONI

SPONSORSHIP MANAGER

Lori Zavattoni is a key member of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) team, leading sponsorship management and partner engagement across the championship. In her role, she is responsible for the acquisition, coordination and activation of sponsors, ensuring that commercial partners receive measurable value and high-impact brand exposure at SARRC events.

In addition, Lori oversees VIP hospitality, partner hosting and front-of-house operations, delivering premium experiences for sponsors, stakeholders and invited guests. With strong organisational skills and a commitment to excellence, she plays a vital role in the professional execution of SARRC events and in strengthening long-term sponsor relationships that support the continued growth of rally raid racing in South Africa.

RUDI MULLER

ROUTE DIRECTOR

Rudi Muller is the Route Director for SARRC, responsible for designing and managing the championship’s challenging and iconic courses. With more than a decade of experience navigating South Africa’s diverse and rugged terrain, both as a competitor and route planner, Rudi understands how to create courses that test skill, strategy, and endurance. His meticulous approach ensures that every route is not only thrilling and fair for competitors but also safe and engaging for spectators. Rudi’s passion for off-road motorsport and deep knowledge of the country’s landscapes make him an invaluable part of SARRC’s commitment to world-class rally raid experiences.

CHARMAINE FORTUNE

SECRETARY

Charmaine Fortune is a media and communications professional who has been the long-standing Secretary of the SARRC and an integral pillar of the organisation, having played a key role in its operations and development for more than three decades. Her dedication, expertise, and institutional knowledge make her an indispensable part of SARRC, ensuring that the championship continues to operate at the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and competitive fairness.

Beyond her work with SARRC, Charmaine has been a highly respected figure in South African motorsport administration for many years. Her career includes involvement in some of the country’s most prestigious motorsport events, writing extensively on race outcomes, event previews, competitor profiles, and championship standings, keeping the public and participants informed. Her extensive experience spans race organisation, regulatory compliance, event management, and stakeholder coordination, giving her a uniquely comprehensive understanding of what it takes to run world-class motorsport events.

Charmaine’s tireless commitment to the sport, her meticulous approach to administration, and her deep connections across the motorsport community have been instrumental in growing rally raid in South Africa.

EVAN HUTCHISON

RACE DIRECTOR

Evan Hutchison is a seasoned motorsport professional and the Race Director for SARRC, with extensive experience in rally and off-road racing and multiple national titles. Evan has a deep understanding of race dynamics, route safety, and event logistics. He oversees the planning, execution, and safety of every SARRC event, ensuring compliance with international regulations while delivering a fair, challenging, and thrilling competition for all participants. His hands-on experience and commitment to excellence make him a central figure in upholding the championship’s reputation for world-class rally-raid racing.

SANDRA LABUSCAGE-JONCK

DIRECTOR

Sandra Labuscagne-Jonck is a trailblazer in the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), with a motorsport career that began before the age of 18. She initially competed as a navigator alongside her father, a seasoned rally veteran, gaining invaluable experience in the sport from a young age. Sandra later transitioned to the driver’s seat, making history as the first woman to compete as a driver in the Special Vehicle Category Championship.

A qualified veterinarian by profession, Sandra has successfully balanced a demanding professional career with high-level motorsport competition. She has competed in multiple international rally-raid events, representing South Africa on the global stage, and made history as the first female competitor to receive Protea Colours in Rally Raid, recognising her exceptional sporting achievements.

Beyond competition, Sandra has been actively involved in initiatives such as the FIA Women in Motorsport Development Programme, using her platform to inspire increased female participation in motorsport and to uplift communities through meaningful engagement and development initiatives.

In addition to her sporting achievements, Sandra serves as a Motorsport South Africa (MSA) Board Member and Director, contributing to the strategic governance and long-term development of the sport at a national level.

In her role as Director of the South African Rally-Raid Championship, Sandra brings strategic leadership and decades of hands-on motorsport experience. Her deep involvement in South Africa’s off-road racing landscape—as both a competitor and event organiser—provides her with a unique understanding of the needs of drivers, navigators, teams and stakeholders. She has led key initiatives to professionalise rally raid racing and to broaden participation across the sport.

Sandra’s operational excellence, combined with her passion for motorsport, has been instrumental in positioning SARRC as the benchmark for rally raid racing in South Africa, ensuring that every event is delivered to the highest standards of safety, professionalism and competitive excellence.

ARCHIE RUTHERFORD

CEO

Given the nickname “Ranger Buck” during his university years, Rutherford is a qualified game ranger and FGASA Field Guide who grew up spending time on his family’s game farm bordering Zimbabwe. Naturally he has a passion for African terrain and adventure, which is synonymous with SARRC.

His background also includes a professional engineering qualification and higher diplomas in arbitration and mediation, a varied professional history before focusing on safaris and motorsports.

Archie Rutherford leads the SARRC with a lifelong passion for adventure, motorsport, and the open trails of South Africa. Having competed in off-road racing for over two decades, Archie has firsthand experience of the challenges, thrills, and technical demands of rally raid competition. Under his leadership, SARRC has grown into Africa’s premier rally raid championship, delivering professionally run, world-class events that test skill, endurance, and determination while showcasing South Africa’s rugged landscapes. Archie is widely respected in the motorsport community for his vision, hands-on approach, and commitment to growing the sport locally and internationally.