Botswana desert turned into race track

Known for its rich diamonds resources and magnificent tourist attractions of the Okavango Delta, many would never think motor racing would become one of the most sought after activities of Botswana's tourism industry.

The Kalahari Desert, covering most of the western part of the country, has just turned out to be a hub for off-road racing in this landlocked southern African country.

This year marked a historic 30th edition of the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000km Desert Race, the biggest off-road racing event in southern Africa, with the winner getting a ticket to the world renowned Dakar Rally. It's the wee hours of the morning and large motor engines can be heard roaring and disturbing the tranquil often experienced in the small mining town of Jwaneng, at the entrance of the vast sands of the Kalahari Desert.

From a distance, a cloud of dust started dwindling up the sky until it ultimately covers the clear sky blue as the sun rises. The desert had just been turned into a racing track.

"It is without a doubt a marquee event in our calendar, the biggest. You can see by the number of tourists visiting the country just for this event," said Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO) Communications Manager Keitumetse Setang.

BTO came on board a few years ago as one of the major sponsors for the event after realizing its massive value in tourism attraction.

Every year in June, off-road racing enthusiasts from Africa and around the world visits Botswana for this four-day eventful race. The race map keep changing every year to make it more challenging to the drivers, and more interesting to the spectators. It moved its start and finish points to Jwaneng, home of the world's largest diamond mine, by value in 2014, having previously started and finished at the capital Gaborone, about 200km away.

It consists of several competitions from quads and motor bike racing to the vehicle category, the penultimate of them all.

The bikes kicks off the race in low key on Thursday mornings and finish laps of 500km on the first day before completing the 1000km on Friday. A sizeable crowd, mainly made up of locals, sponsors and the media is on scene when the vehicles go for their qualification lap on Friday morning, often referred to as the "Donaldson Prologue".

This was when the teams set themselves apart for a better starting position in the grueling conditions of the desert the next day.

With temperatures dropping below zero in June in the desert, thousands of spectators were already at the starting point early Saturday morning to get a better view of the mean machines rolling down the ramp in style, often to loud cheers of the crowd who braved the chilly weather heavily clad in winter gear.

The constructor's category, consisting of heavyweight factory off-road manufacturers from Toyota, Ford, Nissan to BMW and the special category vehicle, made up of specially designed sand master cars are out to embark on an uncompromising terrain on the desert.

Like the bikes the previous day, the vehicles were supposed to complete 500km the first day and complete the race on Sunday. One by one, the vehicles leave the starting line, inside there is a driver and their navigator by the side, hoping to avoid any major obstacle that would deny them an opportunity to at least finish the race.

Like any off-road race, it is never an easy task to make it to the finish line without a few hiccups. Drivers encounter many obstacles, from broken suspensions, engine failures, accidents, as they navigate through rivers, cattle posts, hills, sand dunes, gravel slopes to prove that indeed their vehicle is the best suited off roader.

Over the years, the locals have fallen in love with certain construction vehicles and drivers. Even though local drivers rarely finish among the top three, they are afforded maximum support throughout the race.

Amongst the crowd, an argument started between two spectators with one arguing that Toyota would go all the way to win the race as it did in 2014 dominating to take all the top three positions. One argued that Ford, powered by a 6.2L Mustang engine, is the car to beat this year.

Almost all racing vehicles had gone through modifications to enhance their performances. The Toyota, for example carried a powerful Lexus engine.

The race was made accessible to several communities that lie along its route with multiple spectator points made specially to see the vehicles passing through.

Local communities also benefited from the race as the organizers allow them to buy stalls to trade food and other necessities to spectators. "Business is really good, the stock I brought here yesterday is almost finished and I have to bring in some more," said Ontse Modisa, a vendor selling cigarettes and takeaway food.

It was not only the race that the spectators come to enjoy. As the drivers wound up the first day of competition, an overnight music festival also showcased the local culture starting. Spectators partied the night away waiting the final day of the race.

Those who were not into partying or couldn't stand the cold night set up camping at the several campsites organized for them. Bonfires could be seen all over the campsites as the revelers try keeping themselves warm through the chilly winter night.

The final day also started with much fanfare as spectators will have a chance to see who comes top. The first vehicle is usually expected just after mid-day, and it usually arrives to an uproar from the crowd.

With Toyota very popular in Botswana, many in the crowd were cheering loud and raising the Toyota flag up high as it defends the title it won in 2014. It was a great moment for driver Anthony Taylor and his navigator. They have indeed ended the recent dominance of Nissan, then BMW X3 in the race where Toyota is the title sponsor. With the winner qualifying for Dakar Rally, Botswana has indeed carved a niche in off-road racing. Endi