Challenging raceday ahead
BRONKHORSTSPRUIT: TESTING COMPETITION OVER A COURSE NEVER DRIVEN BEFORE
De Villiers and Murphy expected to go further ahead in championship.
The 2018 South African Cross-Country Series will reach its halfway mark in the Bronkhorstspruit area this weekend, with the Atlas Copco 400 event promising tight competition in most of the classes.
With the event to be held over brand-new territory, all teams will face a challenge that could upset many a status quo throughout the field.
In the Production Vehicle category, defending South African champion Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dennis Murphy will be the pre-event overall favourites in their Toyota Gazoo Hilux.
Their closest adversaries should be teams like Lance Woolridge/Ward Huxtable (Ford NWM Ranger), Johan and Werner Horn (Malalane Toyota Hilux), Henk Lategan/Barry White (Toyota Gazoo Hilux), Gareth Woolridge/ Boyd Dreyer (Ford NWR Ranger) and Gary Bertholdt/Geoff Minnitt (Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux).
Others not to be underestimated must include Chris Visser/Philip Herselman (Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux), Terence Marsh/Joey Evans (Red Lined Nissan Navara), George Smalberger/Chris Brand (Red Lined Nissan Navara), Johan van Staden/Mike Lawrenson (Elf Renault DE Duster), Mark Corbett/Juan Möhr (CR6), Brian Baragwanath/Leonard Cremer (CR5) and Brazilian champions Marcos Baumgart/Kleber Cincea (Ford NWM Ranger).
Rounding out Class T will be Jacques van Tonder and Sammy Redelinghuys in their Ford Ranger, Richard Leeke/Danie Stassen (BMW X3) and Ramon/Maret Bezuidenhout (Elf Renault DE Duster).
Lots of action can be expected in Class S as only three points separate the first two teams.
David Huddy/Gerhard Schutte (Nissan Navara) hold a narrow lead over Heinie Strumpher/Henri Hugo (Toyota Hilux). Others in the class who could interfere with the frontrunners’ battle should be Jannie/Chris Visser (Toyota Hi- lux) and Rory Eland/ Robbie Coetzee (Ford Ranger).
The consistent father-and-daughter team of Coetzee Labuscagne/Sandra Labuscagne Jonck (4x4 Mega World ARB Porter) must be the combination to beat in the Special Vehicle category.
Chasing them should be duos like John Telford/Victor Ntsekhe (BAT Warbird), Stefan van Pletzen/Jaco Pieterse (Live Lesotho Chenowth), Lance Trethewey/ Adriaan Roets (LTE BAT Venom), Nic Goslar/Joe Lima (Zarco Magnum) and Werner Kennedy/CJ van Pletzen (Live Lesotho Porter).
Teams without success thus far this year who would hope for podium places must include John Thomson/Maurice Zermatten (Zarco Challenger), Talha and Taahir Moosajee (Stryker), Dean Bradbury/Timmy Botes (BAT Venom) and former rallyists Schalk Burger Junior/Elvéne Vonk in their Porter.
The Bronkhorstspruit event will also comprise the fourth round of the Side x Side Interprovincial Challenge, plus the fifth round of the Northern Regions Championship.
The Atlas Copco 400 will start on Friday at 2pm with a 40km qualifying race that will determine the starting order for Saturday.
Starting at 8am on Saturday, competitors will take on a 170km loop twice, from the Soetdoring Function Venue where the race headquarters and the start/finish and designated service point will be situated.
Spectators will be able to view the racing action from various points along the route with free entry to these points.
Cross-country enthusiasts can also follow the racing action by downloading the RallySafe App free of charge for iOS and Android devices.