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Calheine Taye Perry is a South African off-road motorcycle racer who became the first African woman, alongside Kirsten Landman, to complete the Dakar Rally on a motorcycle in 2020. Standing just 158 cm tall, this farm girl from outside Pretoria turned heads as Southern Africa’s fastest female off-road rider before taking her talents to the world’s most brutal rally-raid stage.

EARLY YEARS

Born circa 1992, Taye Perry grew up on a farm near Pretoria, South Africa, in an environment that would shape her into one of the continent’s most formidable off-road racers. The rural setting provided early access to dirt bikes and wide-open spaces—the perfect training ground for a future rally raider. What started as fun on two wheels in the South African bush gradually evolved into something more serious, though Perry never pushed too far ahead in her ambitions. By around 2010, she had transitioned from recreational riding to professional competition, launching a career that would span more than a decade in South African off-road and cross-country racing.

OTHER INTERESTS

No information available.

EARLY SUCCESS

Perry cut her teeth in South African off-road racing, racking up multiple MSA off-road and cross-country titles in various women’s classes throughout the 2010s. She quickly established herself as the woman to beat, consistently winning women’s divisions while also posting impressive results against male competitors in her classes. By 2016, she was not only the leading woman in almost every annual South African race she entered but was also ranking high among the men—a clear signal that her talent exceeded regional boundaries. Her podium performances included a third-place overall finish at a grueling 1000 km desert race in Botswana, proof that she could hang with anyone when the terrain got nasty. Racing on equipment that was often past its prime—including a “well used” KTM 450 that left her at a disadvantage against competitors on newer machines—Perry compensated with raw skill and determination. She experienced the full spectrum of off-road challenges early on, including bike failures in the dunes that required towing and the humility that comes with mechanical breakdowns in remote locations.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2010s: Multiple MSA off-road and cross-country titles in South Africa across various women’s classes.
• Pre-2020: Third place overall at 1000 km desert race in Botswana.
• 2016: Recognized as the leading woman in almost every annual South African race entered, with high rankings among male competitors; earned recognition as Southern Africa’s fastest off-road female.
• 2020: Became the first African woman, alongside Kirsten Landman, to complete the Dakar Rally on a motorcycle, finishing 77th overall on a Honda 450 with support from Bikers Warehouse.
• 2020: Survived an 18-hour nightmare on Dakar Stage 11 involving electrical failures, towing her bike through sections, and minimal sleep, yet still finished the stage and the rally.
• 2022: Served as co-driver for Cyril Despres in the car category at Dakar Rally.

INSPIRATIONS

Perry’s path to Dakar wasn’t born from childhood dreams but from organic progression. “My goals through the years progressed gradually with my growth thankfully. I never looked too far ahead,” she explained. “So Dakar wasn’t a goal until around 2016 when I was, not only, the leading woman in almost every race I competed in annually, but ranking high among the men in my classes as well.” Once that 2016 high-water mark arrived in South African racing, Dakar became her natural dream—the logical next step for someone who had conquered everything her home continent had to offer.

REPUTATION

Described by motorsports journalists as “really quick on a dirt bike” and “something really special,” Perry built her reputation as an energetic pocket rocket who seemed born for rally-raid racing. What makes her particularly dangerous is that she excels at the aspects many male competitors struggle with—she loves navigation, thrives on technical challenges, and approaches racing with genuine joy rather than grim determination. “I’ve always been a dark horse, the privateer, the wild card who takes the pack by surprise,” she said. “It’s because I’m rather short and small, which makes me unassuming. That’s until you witness my skill and finesse on a big 450cc motorcycle.” Her 2020 Dakar performance earned her “PeoplesChampion” status, particularly after her Stage 11 ordeal inspired fans worldwide with her resilience. Ever-smiling and always-bubbly despite punishing conditions, Perry threw down the gauntlet to other female riders with her performances. She acknowledges the unique challenges she faces: “Especially when you’re this little woman with big dreams, who is easier to underestimate than to give a chance.” Yet she views every setback—from concussions to crashes to race-ending electrical issues—as building blocks. “The difficult moments in my career are lessons, building blocks, and things that make me stronger and better,” she noted. “And I’m always ready for more.”

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Perry was slated to co-drive for Yasmeen Koloc in the T3 category at the 2023 Dakar Rally, but the opportunity was canceled due to Koloc’s injury. In a 2023 interview, she stated simply, “I Plan to Return in Good Time,” suggesting Dakar remains firmly in her sights. As a privateer who has relied on crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe to finance her international racing ambitions, Perry continues to chase opportunities to return to the world stage—though specific plans beyond 2023 remain undocumented. What’s certain is that this little woman with the big 450cc bike isn’t done proving people wrong.

References:

[1] ZA Bikers – 2020 Dakar Coverage and Interviews
[2] Paddock Sorority – Interview with Taye Perry (2023)
[3] Good Things Guy – Taye Perry Feature
[4] CN&CO Motorsports – Taye Perry Profile and GoFundMe Coverage
[5] MSA Off-Road Racing Results and Coverage
[6] Dakar Rally Coverage – Taye Perry Background