Its great to see navigational rallies picking up traction in North America at last. Meanwhile in South Africa, the guys are already quietly into the 3rd Edition of the Amageza Rally, a gruelling African Adventure that Thierry Sabine would have approved of. Date: 21-24 October 2013 Place: Cape Town to Kakemas, South Africa Type: Desert Rally, road book navigation Permitted vehicles: Open class moto's 450cc+ All entrants ride strictly Malle moto style - no support teams allowed, and entrants live out of a steel box which is transferred to each bivouac. 45 Entrants, and a organisational crew of 15. 1,936 km of brutal terrain in just 3 days. Set in stunning Karoo, Richtersveldt & Namaqualand,tough mountain and desert stages have been designed to challenge even the best. Don't get distracted by the African wildlife you will encounter or beautiful views! Each year has been more difficult than the last, and this year the organizers are expecting 50% of the field will finish. www.amageza.com The word Amageza is a Xhosa word, meaning "you're crazy". I did last year's event and it was great, albeit much shorter. This years event is far more serious, with strict cut off times to be adhered to. Date,Leg #,Route,Total Distance,Special Stage,Longest Distance between Fuel stops, 20 October 2013, 1, Cape Town to Sutherland, 640 km, 140 km, 180 km 21 October 2013, 2, Sutherland to Springbok, 729 km, 150 km, 200 km 22 October 2013, 3, Springbok to Kakamas, 567 km, 150 km, 275 km Long, technical liaisons are almost special stages in their own right, similar those seen in early years of the Dakar event, and this is what make it challenging. The Special stages are more aptly described as trials sections. Riaan van Niekerk, who came 12th in the Dakar last year, did the pre-running last weekend with Darryl Curtis and commented that competitors will have to ride hard and smoothly to avoid being caught out in the desert at night. Read more about it here about the buildup and entrants preparations here. Or check out Inmate Kamanya's RR from last year here. Some more pics from last year:
Thanks BB. Watch out, you might get appointed as promotional captain. This year would be Epic. Next year it will be long enough to justify international riders to travel to RSA and come compete.
I'm marshalling this year. It's going to be tough and long, but also the riders are going to travel through some isolated areas that are seldom visited by D/S bikers. It's going to be epic! Remember it's a navigational challenge, not a race. Yeah, right!
This was my setup for the rallye. Some people suggested I change my speedo to a more fitting format to my general speed Then some on the run repairs after my footpeg broke off.
We had some pros run our test Rallye to get some base timelines. Fark these guys are fast.:eek1 Darryl Curtis (30th 2013 Dakar) Riaan Van Niekerk (13th Dakar 2013) Some of this year's terrain:
With some last minute entries, the total number of competitors is now 45. Sneak preview from the pre-running http://youtu.be/oV8pSCjhLlY
I'm using a Rally Raid 690R conversion. I have limited objectives: do my best to finish and my utmost to survive.
I too am a marshal this year again on the Amageza. Here are some pics from last year. John Web (click on the pic)
Cool! Please give us the low down on what is happening when you can! Just 2 days to scrutineering.....
Amageza 2013 got off to, should we say, an interesting start. A strong south-easter blew in overnight, creating havoc in the campsite. After two poles snapped in the big tent they decided to evacuate, with some marshalls spending the night on the back of a pickup and the rest on the back of a 16 bike trailer. Early this morning, the decision was taken to move the bivouac. Scrutineering is now under way, in high spirits!