The oldest and biggest rally in Namibia is back and organisers have begun preparations to make it yet another event on the motorsport calendar to remember.
According to history books, Dennis Kemp and his cat named Tara “designed” the rally as far back as 1968. And this year, 55 years later, the Tara is still high on the rally calendar.
In the past, it was known as the Total Tara, but this year it will go under the name WMC Tara Rally by M+Z Motors.
The rally is slated for next month, from the 1 to 3 June.
Top Revs understands the stages will be covered over 180 kilometres, but extending it to 200km cannot be ruled out. The venue will be mostly in and around Windhoek, with some stages south of the city, and Rehoboth might be included.
Though the routes are not set out yet, participants might be in for more stages, depending on the final racing distance.
Although entries are still not open and there are no names on the entry list yet, the rally spirit is high as the different role players are already busy with planning the stages and routes, organising the support vehicles and all the logistics accompanying such an event.
Like most rallies. it is all about winning. However, it also has the tendency to rob you of your dreams as many cars break down somewhere along the stages due to the intense racing and terrain. And often, it is the underdogs that end in first place. The 2022 Tara champion Steven and navigator Jodine Marnewick in their Mitsubishi Lancer had all eyes on them as they ended in first place. To top it off, it was their first Tara and they literally kicked dust in the eyes of the more experienced drivers.
The Tara dates back to 1968 and saw several international participants taking part on local soil.
The very first Tara was held as a 24-hour endurance rally and later changed to less endurance due to the routes and for safety reasons.
As times changed and costs keep on rising, fewer participants enter, yet it is still a prestigious event for the rally enthusiast.
After many years as the main sponsor, Total changed its policies and gracefully handed over to the next rally partner to keep the 55-year legacy alive.
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