SPECTATOR FRIENDLY TOYOTA KALAHARI BOTSWANA 1000 DESERT RACE 19 spectator points along the route Race headquarters: Jwaneng Sport Complex S24.59062 E24.72150 Directions: A2 towards Kanye. Race HQ 134 km from Lobatse border post With 19 designated spectator points along the route the Toyota Kalahari Botswana 1000 Desert Race, round four and the halfway point of the Donaldson Cross Country Championship, the thousands of enthusiasts expected to watch the race from June 27 to 29 will be well catered for. The event is the biggest social and sporting event of the year in Botswana, with locals and visitors from South Africa and neighbouring territories turning out in their droves to catch the action. After being based at Kumakwane, on the outskirts of Gaborone, for a number of years the race has moved to Jwaneng, about 160 kilometres west of the Botswana capital. The move to Jwaneng, home of the world’s richest diamond mine, was at the request of the Botswana Tourist Organisation. The Desert Race brings a huge financial windfall to areas which stage the event, and the BTO authorities are keen for other regions to benefit. “There are 19 designated spectator points along the route, along with numerous vantage points that will be well known to the local population,” said route director Adri Roets. “The area had good rains in the wet season, and vegetation is nice and green. “The route, however, is going to be dry and very sandy with all the rocks, bushes and tree stumps part and parcel of this race.” The 100 kilometre route for the June 27 qualifying race to determine grid positions will take competitors from Jwaneng towards Sese before branching towards Mokhamma.