Season goes down to the wire
ONE TO WATCH: FINAL CROSS-COUNTRY CHALLENGE SET TO PROVIDE PLENTY OF DRAMA
T Road crossings close to main arterials will provide excellent viewing.
he final race in this year’s Donaldson cross-country championship, the Atlas Copco Gold 450 on the West Rand on November 28 and 29, will be a spectator-friendly event with a route familiar to regular competitors in the series.
With a number of championship titles still up for grabs – particularly in the production-vehicle category – the race is set to provide a dramatic end to the season.
The race is again based at the Kloof Country Club in Glenharvie with a route similar to last year – but run in a clockwise direction.
To determine grid positions, crews will tackle a 100km route, with the race to be run over two 160km loops.
Race headquarters, the start/ finish and the designated service park will all be based at the Kloof Country Club.
Qualifying
will take crews northeast to Hillshaven, through the farm Elandsfontein, on to South Deep and Jagtfontein.
The route then heads back to the start/finish via Kalbasfontein.
The main race’s route includes the entire qualifying section and also heads south to Doringkloof, before a homeward stretch that includes the Telkom koppies and Wagterskop.
The very rocky Telkom koppies and Wagterskop sections are hilly and technical and will provide teams with a special challenge.
“The route is an interesting one with lots of contrasts,” said route director Adri Roets. “The weekend will provide crews with plenty to think about.
“The fi rst section of the route combines open veld with some twisty sections and small river crossings, with the last 40km made up of rocky climbs, some serious washaways and dongas.”
Roets said there were also numerous road crossings, with the route running close to main arterials.
This will allow for excellent viewing at designated spectator points, with public entry to these areas free of charge.
That Glenharvie is easily accessible from a number of major centres is likely to ensure a good turnout of cross-country enthusiasts.
The venue is close to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Krugersdorp, Potchefstroom, Randfontein and other towns on the West Rand.
There is also free public entry to race headquarters, the start/ finish and the designated service park.
The qualifying race will start at 11.30am on Friday, November 28, and the main race at 8.30am the following day.