Desert, Diamonds & Downforce : Motorsport In Namibia

Luca Galuzzi (Lucag), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Known to the world for its vast deserts and quality diamonds, Namibia also has a surprisingly strong motorsports industry.

‘Around The World with Kurt Hill Racing’ aims to shine a light on diverse nations’ motorsports communities no matter how old or new, and no matter how big or small. 

Another country we do not usually associate with motorsport is Namibia. This vibrant African nation is home to the world’s oldest desert, biggest sand dunes, and some of the world’s best quality diamonds. Despite having a small population the country has a diverse sports industry that shares many similarities to their southern neighbours South Africa. Football (soccer), rugby, and cricket are among the top sports in both countries, but it seems that the more established motorsports industry of South Africa didn’t make it over the border in the same way these other sports have. 

Despite this Namibia does in fact have an emerging motorsports community, which is even recognised by the FIA through the appointment of Namibia Motor Sport Federation as the country’s FIA representation. While there is not much evidence of international drivers hailing from this country, their domestic motorsports industry is one the sees plenty of action.

WHAT DOES NAMIBIA’S MOTORSPORTS INDUSTRY LOOK LIKE?

Hp.Baumeler, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Currently there is not a whole lot of information on motorsports in Namibia, but as I Mentioned above the country does have an FIA ASN (ASN is an organisation that represents the FIA in a country). The country is also home to one permanent circuit called Tony Rust Raceway, located in the capital city of Windhoek. This circuit was built in 1984 and is one of the fastest in all of Africa through the use of the natural hilly terrain and long straights. The city is also over 1600m (5250’) above sea level so the tracks thin air would provide a unique challenge to the drivers and vehicles with lower oxygen levels.

The country is also home to no less than 12 motorsport clubs offering locals the chance to participate in karting, circuit racing, endurance racing, off road rally, and drifting. All of this is offered by clubs endorsed by the Namibian Motorsport Federation, so that people can participate in these events with the safety and protection of FIA regulations. 

MOTORSPORT EVENTS & ACTIVITIES IN NAMIBIA

Ltz Raptor, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The events held in Namibia are as varied as the clubs mentioned above… very impressive for a country of only 2.5 million people. Quite surprisingly the karting engine company Rotax runs a national series called the Rotax Max Challenge, a series run in around 60 countries around the world. They run an 8 round competition at two different karting tracks, which is quite extensive for a karting championship season in my experience.

The Windhoek Motor Club who also manages the Tony Rust Raceway host events at least once per month on its various layouts. National championship races take place in V8 stock car type vehicles on the regular racing circuit along with sprint cars on their oval layout. These events are held as a festival style event with plenty of varying on track action to keep everyone entertained, and are well supported with entrants to the events. The same club also organises occasional off road races and drifting events meaning this club would be amongst the most diverse you will find anywhere.

People who are not racing drivers, or who don’t own a racing car also have ample opportunities to casually participate in motorsports in Namibia. Go-kart hire is available at one of the countries go-kart tracks, so locals and visitors can try driving the very first vehicle most of us drivers began with. Also, like many countries with vast deserts and huge dunes, ATV hire is another avenue for everyone to get their adrenaline rush through motorsports.

HIGH PROFILE TESTING GROUND

The motorsports community is so incredibly large, so large that even after 10 years I am still discovering new events, facts and cars to this day. Sometimes even some extremely high profile teams or manufacturers can surprise you with what what they’re up to. For me this was recently the case with Toyota Gazoo Racing and Dakar Rally program, as one of their main testing/proving grounds are in the Namibian desert. Covering over 7891km (4903mi), the Dakar Rally is one of the most difficult and prestigious rally events in the world and has run in various formats since 1979. It attracts some of the world’s best rally drivers and teams including rally legend Carlos Sainz Sr, and of course as mention above, Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Since 2020 the Dakar Rally has been held within Saudi Arabia, and since then Toyota Gazoo Racing has spent time testing out their vehicles in the Namibian Desert. Testing is basically practice and it involves testing out different setting and components on the vehicle to ensure it can run not only as fast as possible but as efficiently as possible too. Teams will usually try to test their vehicles in a wide variety of relevant terrain to ensure that their vehicles can withstand the entire event. The desert in this country presents the team with an opportunity to test their vehicles in equally, if not more punishing conditions than the Arabian desert of Saudi Arabia. 

This testing conducted by Toyota in Namibia has also had an extremely high profile participant in the form of Fernando Alonso. He visited the country in 2019 as part of his preparations for his very first and only attempt at the event in 2020.

BARRIERS TO SUCCESS & NEXT STEPS

Relative to the largest and most powerful countries on the African continent, Namibia faces some barriers to further success in the motorsports industry. Countries that survive in such harsh conditions as Namibia are however extremely resilient, and I am sure that they will find ways around any obstacle in their way. Namibia’s main barrier is it’s population and population density with almost 2.6 million people spread out over 824,000 square km (318,000 square mi). While the country’s land size is comparable to many in Africa it is amongst the least populated. All of this means that getting goods to and around the country is incredibly expensive, especially products considered a luxury like motorsports products.

Also the average salary in Namibia would not allow someone to participate regularly or participate at all in motorsports. This means that compared to their neighbours South Africa, a lower proportion of the already low population has access to such luxuries that so many take for granted.

As I mentioned above, countries existing in such harsh environments also tend to have great resilience, and that is paying off for Namibia. After many years of recession the country has experienced massive economic growth that is twice that of the global average. Over time this could be of great benefit to Namibians as this could definitely help to put more money in each residents pocket. 

Unlike many countries around the world like China and the US, Namibia is experiencing a steady increase in its population. As we have seen with these countries, more people has equaled more opportunities for the people of these countries. I am sure this trend will continue for the people of Namibia and bring more motorsports opportunities with it.

When I start writing this I did not expect to find anywhere near as much as I did on motorsports in Namibia, so I was pleasantly surprised. They have passionate and strong industry that will only become stronger as the country continues to grow.