Summarize

South African Rally Raid T1 class champion Johan van Staden and son Sean have gone ahead and acquired a brand-new Red-Lined REVO T1+ to complete their step up to the South African Rally-Raid Championship premier class for 2026. The move further aligns with the van Staden’s international strategy of making a return to the Dakar Rally in the not too distant future.

Over the years, rally-raid veteran Johan has won South African National Championships in both the two wheel and four wheel driven categories, an achievement only a few can claim. He switched to the four-wheel drive production class in 2014 after many successful years in the two-wheel drive class where he won the 2010 and 2012 championships. Johan’s impressive CV also includes participation in two Dakar Rallies with him competing in both the 2013 and 2015 editions in South America.

In 2018 he went on to win the Kalahari Rally overall while in 2025, he finished third overall in the T1 class in the FIA World Championship South African Safari Rally. And then to wrap up the year he went on to win the ever-competitive South African T1 class championship driving his Renault Duster, which interesting enough originally began its life as a Red-Lined VK50 before receiving its Renault body change. Johan regards this championship win alongside son Sean as the crowning achievement of his illustrious career to date.

With the acquisition of their normally aspirated V8 powered Red-Lined REVO T1+, the van Stadens make the big step up to the T1+ class. “Let’s just say that we felt the need to take everything to the next level after our latest Championship win,” Johan grinned. “The Red-Lined REVO T1+ is a wonderful piece of engineering and provides us with the overall package that we require as we move up into the premier category. The overall performance together with the practicality of servicing and maintaining this race vehicle aligns with our privateer strategy and budget. Let’s just say that we cannot wait for the season to start!”

This move is also in line with Johan’s future plans of tackling a third Dakar Rally. “I have raced the Dakar twice in South America, both times with the ever-green Mike Lawrenson alongside me reading the notes,” Johan points out. “We unfortunately had to retire from the 2013 race when we damaged the roll cage of our McRae MC-4RS in an accident. But in 2015 we returned with a vengeance to finish 31st overall driving a tried and tested Red-Lined VK50. “Being part of the Red-Lined family brings us the advantage of being part of a South African based international racing organisation and we are really looking forward to once again joining Terence and his experienced team. 

“We are delighted to welcome Johan and Sean van Staden back into the family, not that they were ever that far away” Red-Lined CEO Terence Marsh concludes. “Not only is Johan a multiple South African Champion, but he also brings a huge amount of experience, expertise and energy to the fold. As a team we are looking forward to working with this dynamic and enthusiastic father and son team.”