Preparations well under way for TRACN4 Rally

With the 2022 TRACN4 National Rally less than two weeks away, the eMakhazeni community has expressed its eagerness and delight to again host this exciting and dramatic motorsport event in the quaint town of Dullstroom and surrounds on November 18 and 19.

To ensure the rally is the roaring success it has become synonymous with, the organising committee, key corporate partners and the main sponsor, Trans African Concessions (TRAC), are hard at work with all the necessary preparations.

This will be the third rally held by TRAC in the Mpumalanga region, ensuring a further economic injection into the area. Preparations for the adrenaline-filled motorsport event include the registration of participating teams, prepping the terrain and demarcating the stages and spectator points.

The TRACN4 National Rally falls within the ambit of TRAC’s corporate social investment portfolio, as its main objectives are to bring a much-needed economic injection into the eMakhazeni municipal area while also supporting the Dullstroom Epilepsy Centre, the Mpumalanga branch of Epilepsy

South Africa.

Part of the groundwork for the event includes more refurbishments and renovations at the centre, which has been the rally’s main beneficiary since it was first introduced to Dullstroom in 2020.

Over the past two years, TRAC and local SMMEs have upgraded and renovated various areas of the facility, including the main entrance, sports field, spectator area, lapa and the residence’s roof. This year, TRAC will fully upgrade the centre’s hall to a venue, which will enable the facility to generate additional income. According to the centre’s director, Rebecca Mashigo, TRAC’s assistance over the past two years has been invaluable to the centre and the town.

“We are all counting down to the start of the 2022 TRACN4 Rally! We can’t wait to hear the powerful rally car engines and to welcome the South African rallying fraternity,” she said.

Many local businesses have confirmed Mashigo’s sentiments, saying they are fully committed to supporting the event. Many will be offering great specials, discounts and even freebies, before and during the rally; others have committed to getting actively involved in organising the event.

The two-day rally, which will also serve as the final leg of the 2022 National Rally Championships, will start from Lakenvlei Heritage Site on Friday and from the

Oval in Dullstroom on Saturday. Teams, most of which participated in the Delmas National Rally recently, are already hard at work on their vehicles to ensure they will be able to withstand the pressure of driving on the challenging terrain of the privately managed local dirt roads.

With Covid-19 a distant memory, spectators will be permitted at this year’s event, which is sure to egg on the competitors to perform at their absolute best.

With local accommodation spots filling up fast for the rally weekend, spectators wanting to make a weekend out of the event are urged to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Bookings can be done through the following: reservations - www.dullstroomreservations.co.za; accommodation - dullstroom.co.za.

Additional information about the rally can be found on TRAC’s website, www.tracn4.co.za, or on Facebook and Instagram - @TRACN4 or @ SARallychamps.

The race secretary can also be contacted at lizelle@electrothread.co.za.