Returning to something that was always there - the story of Nico de Waal
Some stories in rally begin with years of calculated progression, karting, regional racing, sponsorship ladders. Nico de Waal’s story is different. His begins, quite literally, with a dream.
At around 14 or 15 years old, Nico had a vivid dream, one that would quietly shape the rest of his life. He dreamt there was an Opel Kadett 2.0 GSI Superboss parked outside his bedroom window, and that it was his. It wasn’t built on years of motorsport obsession or exposure. In fact, the dream came first. The passion followed.
“I was very disappointed when I woke up and it wasn’t true,” he recalls.
That moment planted something deeper than interest, it planted, what Nico describes as, inevitability.
Growing up in South Africa during the 1990s, Nico was surrounded by subtle motorsport influences. His father’s cousins, Pieter and Nic de Waal, were involved in rally and circuit racing. A visit to Killarney Raceway sealed it. A few laps in a race car were enough for him to realize, this wasn’t just curiosity, this was direction.
Like many, Nico’s early adulthood took him away from racing. He pursued a career in the oil industry, training in Scotland before being posted to Oman. By 25, he had something many aspiring racers don’t have, capital. And instead of easing into the sport, he went all in.
Ignoring advice to start slowly (particularly from his father), he bought a Group N race car, an Opel Corsa 1400, along with a trailer, gear, and everything needed to compete. He jumped straight into national-level racing in South Africa.
“I didn’t start with karting or regional racing… it was a steep learning curve.”
During 2001 and 2002 , he raced hard in the national South African circuit. It was a very intense to get your feet wet with Group N. Reality set in. The path to a professional racing career wasn’t clear, and he made the decision to step away and focus on his broader career.
The dream didn’t disappear. Like for many others, it just went quiet.
Fast forward to 2015. For his 40th birthday, Nico planned a motorcycle adventure with friends. What started as a social ride became something more significant, a reconnection to the feeling he had nearly 25 years earlier. He invited 15 friends, thinking only 2 or 3 would say yes, but all 15 joined in.
Then came the catalyst.
A message from a friend, Dirk Heyns, in 2021, sharing a link to the Kalahari Rally.
Without any hesitation, and more importantly, not really knowing what cross country rally entails, Nico said - “Let’s just do it”.
That decision led him into the world of rally navigation and roadbooks, a completely different discipline from circuit racing. His first real exposure came at a roadbook training camp, the Karoo Roadbook Camp, where everything clicked.
“I fell in love with rally motorcycles… I couldn’t believe how much fun it is.” Nico describes the 2022 Karoo Roadbook Camp as the best 3 days of his life.
From there, progression was rapid. Training camps in Namibia and South Africa, local rallies, and increasing commitment followed. But rally has a way of testing resolve.
He completed his first rally in 2022, the Crono Rally, with the Kalahari Rally being cancelled in 2021.
In 2023, Nico suffered a serious shoulder injury during a training camp, and then, injured the other shoulder on another training camp in Namibia shortly before the 2023 Crono Rally. However, he finished the 2023 Crono Rally, riding effectively with one arm, but the experience forced a moment of reflection.
“I thought… I have a family. What is my goal?”
He stepped back from riding, not to quit, but to recalibrate.
What followed was a strategic rebuild: a year focused on fitness, endurance, and preparation. The plan was structured, controlled, in which he completed the gruelling Cape Epic mountain bike race with one of his best friends. He would reassess later.
Then something unexpected happened. In January 2025, everything changed.
Following the Dakar Rally through a close, real-time connection of the Decoding Dakar WhatsApp group, gave Nico something no plan could replicate - clarity.
“It was so personal and inspirational… suddenly I just wanted to get everything out of the way and go for it.”
The decision was no longer analytical. It was instinctive.
“You don’t really decide it… it sits within you, and one moment you realize you are going to do it.”
That’s when rally stopped being an interest again and became a mission.
Nico now stands on the edge of his first major international rally: Desafío Ruta 40.
For many, it’s just another race. For him, it’s the gateway.
His goals are clear:
- Finish the rally
- Gain experience at an FIM level
- Learn the systems, navigation, and endurance required
- Qualify for the next step
“I want to make the finish line, get the medal, get the points… and experience it.”
But there’s another layer to his approach, one that sets him apart. “I also want to enjoy it… stop, take it in, take a photo.”
That balance between ambition and appreciation is often the difference between burnout and longevity in rally.
Ruta 40 is not the end goal. It’s the first step in a calculated but emotionally driven journey toward Dakar.
The roadmap includes:
- Completing Ruta 40
- Racing Rallye du Maroc
- Building experience and qualification points
- Targeting Dakar entry
Unlike many who stretch the journey over years, Nico is approaching it with intensity and focus.
“If I can tick Ruta and Morocco… there’s a strong chance of Dakar.”
But he’s also realistic. Life, work, family, and responsibility shape his approach.
“This takes a toll on family… so I’d rather go all in - for one year than stretch it out.”
At its core, Nico’s story isn’t just about rally.
It’s about identity.
The kind of person who doesn’t chase comfort, but challenge. Who understands that not pursuing something meaningful comes at a greater cost than failure.
“The pain of not doing it is bigger than doing it.”
That mindset is what defines rally racers at the highest level. Not talent alone. Not opportunity. But the inability to ignore the call.
Nico de Waal is not a typical “young gun” rising through the ranks. He’s something more compelling, a late-stage entrant driven by clarity, discipline, and purpose.
From a dream in his teenage years…
To Group N racing…
To a decade away…
To rediscovering rally through adventure…
To now standing on the edge of the world stage.
The story is still being written.
But one thing is clear:
This isn’t a hobby.
It’s a return to something that was always there.
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As a friend, a proud supporter of the Decoding Dakar journey, and someone who has had a front-row seat to Nico’s growth, it’s incredibly special to see him step onto the international stage.
What literally started as a dream has now become a reality forged through commitment, resilience, and sheer passion. I have no doubt that his first appearance will be everything he has imagined and more. An experience filled with challenge, discovery, and unforgettable moments.
Nico, we’re behind you all the way. Go out there, enjoy every second, and make us all proud.
