The story of the incredible Race
Monday, 19 July 2010 12:58 | 
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The Roof of Africa Rally is held annually in the Kingdom of Lesotho. The event, which is based in the Capital city of Maseru, celebrates it’s 43th. anniversary this year, and has become known throughout the world as one of thee toughest Off Road Races. This fact has been confirmed by many top overseas competitors who have competed in this prestigious event over the years.
The most testing, tiring and challenging race and was the origin of Off Road Racing in Southern Africa and possibly the world.
Having incurred the wrath of Shaka Zulu, the Basotho people fled to the vastness of the Maluti Mountains, where even Shaka's Impis failed in their attempted to follow them over the plateau having an altitude of over 3000 metres. It is the source of major rivers which have cut deep gorges and mighty valleys and the ski is an ethereal blue, in the rarified atmosphere where breathing becomes strained. This terrain sets the Roof apart from all other events.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the hardships, international funds were made available to give access to the hinterlands from the outside world and Bob Phillips was engaged to undertake the task of building a usable road up the Moteng track from Butha Buthe to serve the inner regions.
When the road reached the stage of being negotiable, Bob Phillips went to Johannesburg to Louis Duffet of the RAC to advice him that he had built "the worst" road in the world. Was it of interest?
Louis took Bob to the Sports Car Club offices where the offer was accepted with enthusiasm and John Buttress was delegated the duty of organising the first Roof of Africa Rally.
With no precedent it was natural that it should be treated on the lines of a "Rally" and as such was duly named The Roof of Africa Rally: with a Johannesburg start, overnight in Bethlehem and the following day the assault on Moteng Pass - across the mountain road past Mokhotlong and down Sani Pass, finishing on the Beachfront in Durban.
The concept of a "race" came from Chief Jonathan who presented the "Independence Challenge Bowl" for the fastest time across Lesotho from Butha Buthe to Sani Pass.
Mike Reid was organiser of the next years Roof which took the form of a race in the opposite direction - Sani Pass Hotel across the Roof to a finish in the Centre of Maseru. Apart from the necessity of providing help from 4-wheel drivers to get the cars up the pass, it rained, leaving very few finishers, other that the leading trio of Hettema. Tucker and Van Bergen. This Roof established the principle that there should be no intermediate time controls and that it is a race, not a rally.
John Salters took over the organisation of the Roof and with the backing of The Star newspaper, which gave its name to the event and the publicity given. "The Star Roof of Africa Rally" went from strength to strength as a car and motorcycle event with entries nearing 100 in both categories. Lesotho Sun joined the event as co-sponsor twelve years ago and has remained with the Roof ever since.
Not only has the Roof survived but thanks to the enthusiasm of Peter Luck and the Lesotho Off Road Association, bike competition has retained its position as Southern Africa's premier off-road event.
Thanks are also due tot the Government of Lesotho. Lesotho Defence Force and Royal Lesotho Mounted Police for their continued support and assistance in the running of the event and to the people of Lesotho for the interest and at times, enthusiastic support for competitors. Off Roaders must also be grateful to Sun International, especially Lesotho Sun and to Bernhard John and Tracey-Lee McGregor, nee Dorny, for the hospitality received and for putting up with what, at times, seems unusual behaviour by competitors.
The most testing, tiring and challenging race and was the origin of Off Road Racing in Southern Africa and possibly the world.
Having incurred the wrath of Shaka Zulu, the Basotho people fled to the vastness of the Maluti Mountains, where even Shaka's Impis failed in their attempted to follow them over the plateau having an altitude of over 3000 metres. It is the source of major rivers which have cut deep gorges and mighty valleys and the ski is an ethereal blue, in the rarified atmosphere where breathing becomes strained. This terrain sets the Roof apart from all other events.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the hardships, international funds were made available to give access to the hinterlands from the outside world and Bob Phillips was engaged to undertake the task of building a usable road up the Moteng track from Butha Buthe to serve the inner regions.
When the road reached the stage of being negotiable, Bob Phillips went to Johannesburg to Louis Duffet of the RAC to advice him that he had built "the worst" road in the world. Was it of interest?
Louis took Bob to the Sports Car Club offices where the offer was accepted with enthusiasm and John Buttress was delegated the duty of organising the first Roof of Africa Rally.
With no precedent it was natural that it should be treated on the lines of a "Rally" and as such was duly named The Roof of Africa Rally: with a Johannesburg start, overnight in Bethlehem and the following day the assault on Moteng Pass - across the mountain road past Mokhotlong and down Sani Pass, finishing on the Beachfront in Durban.
The concept of a "race" came from Chief Jonathan who presented the "Independence Challenge Bowl" for the fastest time across Lesotho from Butha Buthe to Sani Pass.
Mike Reid was organiser of the next years Roof which took the form of a race in the opposite direction - Sani Pass Hotel across the Roof to a finish in the Centre of Maseru. Apart from the necessity of providing help from 4-wheel drivers to get the cars up the pass, it rained, leaving very few finishers, other that the leading trio of Hettema. Tucker and Van Bergen. This Roof established the principle that there should be no intermediate time controls and that it is a race, not a rally.
John Salters took over the organisation of the Roof and with the backing of The Star newspaper, which gave its name to the event and the publicity given. "The Star Roof of Africa Rally" went from strength to strength as a car and motorcycle event with entries nearing 100 in both categories. Lesotho Sun joined the event as co-sponsor twelve years ago and has remained with the Roof ever since.
Not only has the Roof survived but thanks to the enthusiasm of Peter Luck and the Lesotho Off Road Association, bike competition has retained its position as Southern Africa's premier off-road event.
Thanks are also due tot the Government of Lesotho. Lesotho Defence Force and Royal Lesotho Mounted Police for their continued support and assistance in the running of the event and to the people of Lesotho for the interest and at times, enthusiastic support for competitors. Off Roaders must also be grateful to Sun International, especially Lesotho Sun and to Bernhard John and Tracey-Lee McGregor, nee Dorny, for the hospitality received and for putting up with what, at times, seems unusual behaviour by competitors.
Special thanks to KTM. All routes are marked with KTM Bikes.
