Heat, humidity and a tight, dusty route severely challenged competitors in last weekend’s Nkomazi 400, the season-opening round of the 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship through Malalana in Mpumalanga.
Production Vehicles
After a long, hard day in their Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux DKR T1+, Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings took the overall victory.
They were followed over the finish line by Gareth Woolridge/Boyd Dreyer (NWM Ford Castrol Ranger T1+) and Giniel de Villiers/Dennis Murphy (Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux DKR T1+).
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The remaining Gazoo Hilux DKR T1+ in the hands of Guy Botterill/Simon Vacy-Lyle finished fourth, chased by Chris Visser/Albertus Venter in their brand new Red-Lined Revo T1+.
Lance Trethewey/Adriaan Roets took sixth overall in their two-wheel-drive King Price Xtreme Century CR6 buggy.
The FIA T1 class saw the Red-Lined Motorsport Revo teams Johan de Bruyn/Gerhard Schutte and Nic Pienaar/Carl Swanepoel finishing first and second, followed by Eben Basson/Leander Pienaar (Toyota #TeamHilux).
The overall top 10 was rounded off by Johan and Sean van Staden (KEC Renault Duster), followed by Daniël Schröder/Ryan Bland (Nissan Navara).
Outside the top 10 came three more FIA T1 class runners, the Dutch pairing of Dave Klaassen/Tessa Rooth (Red-Lined VK56), the Blignaut brothers, Fouché and Bertus (Toyota #TeamHilux) and Philip/ Nicolaas Botha (Red-Lined VK56).
Special Vehicles
In the Special Vehicle Category, reigning champions, Tim Howes/Gary Campbell (BAT Spec 4) had an excellent run to claim the first overall and Class A win on their way to defend their title. They finished ahead of Lood du Preez/Rikus Hatting (Farmers Meat Stryker).
Class G champions, Ian/Werner Mostert (CanAm Maverick), took the category victory ahead of Glen Theron/Craig Galvin (CanAm Maverick) and Ewald van Rensburg/Johan Scheepers (CanAm Maverick.
Next round
The Nkomazi 400 started the 2023 South African Rally-Raid Championship off on a high note.
Experts believe the trend will continue when the teams take on more rough terrain when they take on the Sugarbelt 400 on 12 and 13 May in the Eston Mid-Illovo areas in KZN.
The full details of this year’s championship can be found on the website, sacrosscountryracing.co.za.
