Roar of rally cars returns to the Lowveld
The Lowveld Rally, round 3 of the WOMSA Rally Series, proved as challenging as it comes.
Of the 20 teams that entered, five unfortunately did not finish. Johan Strauss and Elzaan Venter in their Class A Subaru won overall honours. Second overall was Johan de Bruin and GP Jordaan in a Class B Nissan 360Z followed by Lucas van der Merwe and Tommie Coetzee in their Class B Toyota Corolla.
The five local teams that competed had mixed successes.
Local Nelspartan Ticky Martyn, one of the organisers of this event, and Johan Aucamp in their Toyota Etios experienced serious engine failure in stage 1 and that was their race. At that point the team was said to have been more than a minute up on the times of those who had already completed stage 1. The team was heartbroken when I spoke to them at the start of stage 3. But this is rallying and it happens to the best. It does not make up for the emotional disappointment, though.
Simon Bezuidenhout and Adriaan Louw in their Toyota Etios finished eighth overall and second in Class C. Simon owns the farm on which the rally was held. "I have not done any racing in a long time," he said before the start of the race. "We are looking forward to a good result nevertheless." Then after the race: "We really got into the rhythm and what the car can and can't do from stage 4, and we were well up on the pace also." Tzaneen is next. "Who knows what we will do next here on the farm?"
The well-known Theunissen family of Sabie was well represented. Bianca Theunissen and Chantelle Burrows in their Opel Corsa finished 10th overall and second in Class D. "Michelle was spot-on, but we had our moments and we lost second gear in the last stage. We are ready for Tzaneen next," said Bianca.
Drian le Grange, in his first rally and navigated by Yvonne Theunissen in their Class B VW Golf, finished 11th overall after starting in 19th position. I think that deserves some celebratory refreshments, don't you? "It was my first rally and a first for me and Yvonne, and we also had a few close calls. Not the navi's fault, though, but we are chuffed and ready for the next one in Tzaneen," said Le Grange.
Although they did not finish, it was wonderful to see Karl du Plessis navigated by Bobby Steenkamp in their V8 Chev Ranger. Du Plessis has been absent from racing for quite some time, but he has not lost his lavish ability to throw that V8 sideways through the corners. Wonderful stuff! "It was the first time for Bobby in 23 years. We heard a knock in the rear of the car in stage 1, got stuck in stage 2 and decided to pull out.
But it was fun, tight and compact; the pace was good, well organised - let's do it again!" said Du Plessis.
Here is an interesting fact for all those spectator and non-rallyist champions to ponder: It is said that over a stage of 18 kilometres, a navigator can call as any as 2 000 instructions. Now imagine the thought processes and physical actions required from the driver in response to these calls. Makes you think, does it not?
Wonderful also was the opportunity to once again observe and listen to the banter by present and past rallyists about the many successes and spectacular failures in their racing careers.
Shout-out to the organisers of WOMSA, Cobus Groenewald and Ticky Martyn, and Simon Bezuidenhout for the venue.
One down. You can do this and now we want more! Much more and sooner rather than later!
Ticky Martyn and Johan Aucamp getting a hero’s encouragement from family and sponsors on stage 1. Their engine popped just as they passed this point.