Cross country duo get their win
KYALAMI ESTATES - Resident, Evan Hutchison and his cross-country racing partner, Danie Stassen got back on the championship trail with a victory in the Vryburg 450.
The Vryburg 450 was held in the North West on 20 September. Three non-finishes to date, and placing fifth in the recent Force Fuel 450 at Sun City, had them on the back foot going into the latest round – and nothing less than a win was required in the Class A Motorite BAT Viper.
Hutchison is aiming for his fifth overall national drivers’ title, while Nepspruit businessman, Stassen is looking at a third successive title with Hutchison. The 25 points received in the Vryburg 450, pulled Hutchison back from sixth in the drivers’ championship to third and Stassen from fifth to third in the co-drivers’ championship.
The duo are now 37 points behind the leaders, father and son team Quintin and Kallie Sullwald, with two rounds and a maximum of 50 points available. Hutchison said the Vryburg 450 was held in an area that is generally regarded as the birthplace of off road racing, or cross country as it is now known internationally, and it was a tough challenge.
“Lots of dust and rocks, as usual, but also particularly fast and very hot,” he said.
“This was a win a long time coming, our first victory of the season. It was our turn to enjoy a little bit of luck. This is how it goes in cross country racing,” Hutchison added.
The next round is the Ford Dealer 450 in the Free State on 24 and 25 October .
