Brad Cox Crowned World Rally2 Champion in Morocco

Brad Cox, 26, has claimed the World Rally2 Championship at the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc, competing for BAS World KTM Racing. His remarkable victory also secures his entry into the forthcoming Dakar Rally in the RallyGP class. South African Minister of Sports, Gayton McKenzie, applauded his success, which comes as South Africa prepares to host a significant W2RC event in 2025. Mr. Cox and his supporters aim to leverage this victory for future competitions.

South African racer Brad Cox, aged 26, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by being crowned World Rally2 Champion at the 2024 Rallye Du Maroc, part of the World Rally-Raid Championship, held over the previous weekend. Competing for BAS World KTM Racing, Mr. Cox triumphed not only in the rally itself but also clinched the championship title, overcoming rival Romain Dumontier (Team Honda) and finishing ahead of Konrad Dabrowski (Duust Rally), who secured third place. This remarkable accomplishment garnered attention from the South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie. He took to social media to commend Mr. Cox for his success, stating: “26-year-old South African Bradley Cox has won the World Rally 2 Rally Raid Championship for 2024. This is really fitting because next year we are hosting the big one, W2RC, in SA.” Minister McKenzie alluded to South Africa’s impending role as the host nation for the third round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), scheduled to take place from May 18 to May 24, 2025, in the North West and Limpopo provinces. The rally promises to feature a varied range of terrains, including bushveld plateaus, river crossings, and savannah plains, highlighting regions such as Sun City, Thabazimbi, and the agricultural heart of North West. Brad Cox’s victory has generated considerable excitement leading up to the event, particularly as he accomplished this feat aboard his new 2025 KTM 450 Rally Factory Replica bike, competing as a privateer rather than with a factory team. His success is further underscored by the victory of his friend and mentor, Ross Branch from Botswana, who won the RallyGP World Championship in Morocco. It is noteworthy that the RallyGP class represents the pinnacle of the sport, allowing only the most skilled riders and manufacturers to qualify for World Championship points, while the Rally2 class is open to less experienced competitors. Mr. Cox’s recent success paves his way to participate in the upcoming Dakar Rally within the RallyGP class. In his reflections following the event, Mr. Cox, who shares a deep passion for motorsport with his father, the former KTM factory rider, Alfie Cox, remarked, “Coming in I was down eight points and while there was a chance to be champion, really the week had to fall perfectly for me and it did. From the start, I had my goal set and put my head down, knowing that for the next five days I would do whatever it takes to win – and that’s what happened! Every day I got better and better. ‘Having the title ‘World Champion’ next to your name is great, and I’m really proud. Proud of the effort it took and the sacrifices to get to this point. It’s not just me, it’s my team, my family, my sponsors…it’s a massive group effort and to have it pay off is amazing. Now we get ready for Dakar. This is a building block and has given me the confidence, and hopefully, Dakar can go as well as this week has!” Bart van der Velden, the Team Manager for BAS World KTM Racing, commended Mr. Cox’s performance by stating, “It was great to see that all the training and hard work he’s put in over the last few years has paid off. In the past year-and-a-half, Brad has taken big steps in his navigation and his training. It’s been a lot of effort so everyone in the team is really happy for him. I’m confident in the upcoming Dakar. Morocco was a test – the first outing on the new bike – and we’re all so happy it worked out.” Earlier in the year, Mr. Cox participated in the Dakar Rally, a notoriously difficult race, and secured a commendable 13th position in the Rally2 category, making him the sole South African to finish in the top 20 overall. His ability to compete is made possible through the support of a number of generous sponsors, including Toyota Gazoo Racing, BAS World KTM Racing Team, and Red Bull, among others.

The World Rally2 Championship represents a significant level within the motorsport environment, particularly within rally racing, allowing less experienced riders the opportunity to compete at a high standard. The recent events surrounding Brad Cox’s victory illustrate the challenges faced by competitors in rally raids as well as the support from the motorsport community, including governments and sponsors alike. Moreover, South Africa’s upcoming engagement with the World Rally-Raid Championship highlights the nation’s growing involvement in international motorsport. This not only reinforces the sporting excellence within the nation but also acts as a platform for promoting local talent and enticing global participants and audiences.

Brad Cox’s recent triumph as the World Rally2 Champion signifies a crowning achievement not only for him but also for South African motorsport as a whole. His journey reflects hard work, dedication, and community support, setting a strong precedent as anticipation builds for the upcoming Dakar Rally. The recognition from government officials further emphasizes the importance of nurturing local talent in international competitions. With key support from sponsors and his team, Mr. Cox’s success story continues to inspire budding athletes within the motorsport sector.

Original Source: www.knysnaplettherald.com