{"id":6720,"date":"2026-07-30T13:00:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T11:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=188481"},"modified":"2026-07-30T13:00:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T11:00:31","slug":"keeping-the-compass-pointed-at-dakar-jayden-els-next-chapter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/keeping-the-compass-pointed-at-dakar-jayden-els-next-chapter\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping the Compass Pointed at Dakar: Jayden Els\u2019 Next Chapter"},"content":{"rendered":"
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For King Price Xtreme rally driver Jayden Els, the destination has never changed. The route, however, has become far more demanding.<\/p>\n

Still only in his early twenties, Jayden has already built a motorsport r\u00e9sum\u00e9 that many drivers spend decades chasing. From winning the 2017 Rotax Karting World<\/p>\n

Finals to claiming the Class T Championship in South African Rally Raid, his progression has been rapid. Yet the past two years have taught him that success in rally raid isn\u2019t simply about speed. It\u2019s about navigation, adaptation, and keeping your compass pointed firmly towards the horizon, even when the terrain becomes unpredictable.<\/p>\n

Today, racing with the backing of King Price Xtreme, one of South Africa\u2019s most recognised motorsport teams and his long-standing sponsor, Jayden is entering a new phase of his career. Having also secured a seat with the Century Racing Factory Team, his focus is shifting increasingly towards international competition, with ambitions that stretch far beyond South Africa\u2019s borders.<\/p>\n

\u201cGaining experience in the international field has definitely helped me learn as a driver,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ve become better at adapting to different terrains and understanding how the car changes in different conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

These lessons weren\u2019t always learned the easy way.<\/p>\n

The 2024 and 2025 seasons delivered their share of setbacks, with several non-finishes preventing Jayden from achieving the championship result he had targeted.<\/p>\n

Rather than viewing the season as a disappointment, though, he sees it as one of the most important learning periods of his career.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a huge character-building season,\u201d he explains. \u201cIt helped me grow mentally, taught me to keep fighting, and reminded me to never give up.\u201d<\/p>\n

International racing also exposed him to some of rally\u2019s toughest environments, including dunes and open desert racing. Those experiences sharpened both his technical abilities and his understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level of the sport.<\/p>\n

His time away from King Price Xtreme also broadened his perspective. Working alongside engineers, technicians and teams abroad provided valuable insight into different approaches to performance and preparation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI only took positive learnings from that experience,\u201d says Jayden. \u201cI\u2019m excited and happy to be back in the King Price stable and grateful for the opportunity to continue our relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Away from the driver\u2019s seat, life has changed too. No longer studying, Jayden now works in the Netherlands while balancing a racing calendar that sees him travelling extensively. It\u2019s a demanding lifestyle that requires discipline on and off the course.<\/p>\n

Physical preparation has become a major focus. He trains between 12 and 15 hours a week, concentrating on cardio fitness and endurance to maintain focus during long, punishing stages.<\/p>\n

Competition remains a powerful motivator. Among the drivers who\u2019ve pushed him hardest is South African rally raid star Henk Lategan. \u201cHenk is the current benchmark,\u201d says Jayden. \u201cI push myself to the limits to beat him because that\u2019s how you improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for fear, Jayden has a straightforward philosophy: \u201cThe day I get scared of racing cars, I\u2019ll stop racing.\u201d<\/p>\n

This confidence is underpinned by a clear vision of where he wants the road ahead to lead. With sights set on events such as the Rallye du Maroc and the Dakar Rally, every race, every kilometre, and every lesson is part of a much bigger journey.<\/p>\n

Ask him what headline he\u2019d like to read about himself five years from now, and his answer comes without hesitation: \u201cJayden Els: Dakar and World Rally Raid Championship winner!\u201d<\/p>\n

For now, the compass remains fixed on that destination. The route may still twist through deserts, setbacks and hard-earned lessons, but Jayden knows exactly where he\u2019s headed. And with King Price Xtreme backing the journey, he\u2019s determined to keep moving forward until he gets there.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Author<\/strong>: Nhlalenhle Dlangalala from ByDesign Communications<\/a> on behalf of King Price Xtreme<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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CLICK HERE to Read the Original Press Release on MyPR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For King Price Xtreme rally driver Jayden Els, the destination has never changed. The route, however, has become far more demanding. Still only in his early twenties, Jayden has already built a motorsport r\u00e9sum\u00e9 that many drivers spend decades chasing. From winning the 2017 Rotax Karting World Finals to claiming the Class T Championship in …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"","autoblue_shares":[{"did":"did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic","date":"2026-07-30T11:25:59+00:00","uri":"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mrudf3wnkz2u","response":"{\"uri\":\"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mrudf3wnkz2u\",\"cid\":\"bafyreianjtyr6urkvuknddcplowui7a7xsm6sjpdlispm5h5e4appa763u\",\"commit\":{\"cid\":\"bafyreia3l4ctde7aao2v2ppwxuommqnz5xccrhmgrr2tkfx5lccs6neq7q\",\"rev\":\"3mrudf3wshb2u\"},\"validationStatus\":\"valid\"}"}],"autoblue_post_url":"","autoblue_publish_document":false,"republication-tracker-tool-hide-widget":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[29],"class_list":["type-post","category-news","tag-mypr-africa","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6720","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6720"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6720\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}