Jwaneng yet again became the host town of the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race, the biggest sporting and social event of the year for Southern Africa. Jwaneng, in the southern district of Botswana is home to Debswana mine – one of the richest diamond mines in the world – with this year’s race be run from 22 to 24 June. Botswana starts planning early for what is probably motorsport’s biggest annual travelling party: speculation on the route and the entry list is rife and always produces a couple of surprises.

The move to Jwaneng saw the introduction of double points for the race, and 2016 also saw the birth of the FIA Class for cars conforming to Dakar Rally specifications. In 2016 there were only five entries in the category with the figure likely to double this year.