The South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC) returns to the historic town of Vryheid in the Zululand region of NorthernKwaZulu-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 titlesstill 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/Finishand 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 determinethe 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 onthe 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 tothe event.

After completion of Stage Two, competitors will take a compulsory 30-minute service break at the DSP before embarking onthe 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 thatwill 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 forwardto an exciting and successful event.

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

The Vryheid Flying Club, the custodians of the Vryheid Airfield are well prepared for the occasion offering something tosatisfy 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.

Spectators and enthusiasts can follow the race via the RallySafe App with various spectacular vantage points along theroute or on Facebook: @sarallyraidchampionship;Instagram: @sarallyraidchampionship;Tik Tok: @sarallyraid and YouTube: @SouthAfricanRallyRaidSARRC