At just 23 years old, South African Puck Klaassen has carved out a remarkable place for herself in the world of rally-raid – moving from the vineyards of Stellenbosch to being a Dakar stage winner earlier this year in only her second year in the sport.
Away from the cockpit, Klaassen leads a life as varied as the terrain she races on.
Raised on a small wine farm, she has recently taken up winemaking as a hobby while balancing her studies – a BA in business administration and digital innovation – with an increasingly demanding racing career.
“I’ve always loved being active and outdoors,” she says. “For me it’s about finding a balance between enjoying life, travelling and staying focused on my goals.”
ALSO READ: Stellenbosch se Giniel gewis Dakar-koning
In her blood
Motorsport has always been part of Klaassen’s DNA. Growing up in South Africa, she was introduced to bikes and go-karts by her father, Sebastiaan.
She briefly stepped away from racing to pursue show jumping – competing at up to 1,40 m – but the pull of motorsport never faded. “Looking back, that break made me realise that racing has always been my biggest passion,” she reflects.
Her entry into rally-raid was as bold as it was unexpected. With no prior experience in cars or navigation, Klaassen lined up at the Dakar Classic after just months of preparation.
“We really threw ourselves in the deep end,” she admits. “The goal was simply to finish.”
Biggest lesson
What followed was a steep learning curve, adapting from the intensity of motocross to the endurance and strategy of rally-raid. “It’s completely different. You’re racing for hours, working closely with a co-driver and constantly thinking ahead. The biggest lesson for me was patience.”
That patience paid off. In only her second year in the sport, Klaassen claimed a Dakar stage victory, becoming one of a select group of women to achieve the feat.
“It was one of the highlights of my life. Just competing at Dakar felt unbelievable, so to win a stage so early on was something I never expected.”
The result has strengthened her belief, but not changed her mindset. “It gave me confidence that I can compete at that level, but I realise I still have a lot to learn.”
Central to her success is her partnership with Argentinian co-driver Augusto Sanz. “Trust and communication are everything,” she explains. “You rely on each other completely over long stages.”
Klaassen credits much of her development to the demanding conditions closer to home. Training and racing in South Africa – and extensively in Namibia – has been instrumental in fast-tracking her progress.
“The terrain is tough and unforgiving, and the level of competition is high.”
Familiar terrain
That connection to home remains a key part of her journey. Klaassen is set to compete in the South African Rally-Raid Championship this season, a prospect she describes as particularly meaningful.
“It’s really special for me. I spend a lot of time racing overseas, so to be back in SA around familiar terrain and people is something I love.”
She is equally emphatic about the championship’s role in her overall development. “The level is really high in SA and the terrain is super demanding, so it’s perfect for staying sharp,” Klaassen says.
“It gives me proper race mileage and helps me to keep improving between bigger international races. It’s not just preparation, it’s proper competition.”
Her breakthrough on the international stage came at the Abu Dhabi round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, where she surprised even herself by finishing the prologue in fourth place.
“I went in with no expectations and finished the prologue in P4. That’s when I realised I could compete at that level.”
While she acknowledges the pressures of being a female driver in a demanding discipline, Klaassen remains focused on performance.
“At the start I felt I had to prove myself more, but now it’s about improving and letting the results speak.”
Looking ahead, her ambitions are clear. With a strong team behind her, she is targeting consistent front-running performances, with a Dakar podium firmly in sight. Long term, her goal is to step up to the top-tier Ultimate (T1+) class.
For now, she remains focused on the journey. “Dakar teaches you to never give up,” she points out.
“It’s unpredictable, it’s tough, but that’s what makes it so special. You just keep pushing forward.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.