Gruelling rally wars set to continue in Western Cape

Competitors will tackle 12 special stages and 175km between the areas of Killarney and Malmesbury.

> Sponsors Toyota have their best chance of a home win if Leeroy Poulter and Elvene Coetzee’s current form is anything to go by.

Poulter has been in sublime form all year, racking up three wins and a second place to put the Castrol Toyota Yaris pair in pole position for the title.

They enjoy a comfortable points cushion over Castrol Yaris siblings Hergen Fekken/Carolyn Swan.

Their toughest challenge should come from Mark Cronje/Robin Houghton (Dealer Ford Fiesta), Hans Weijs/Bjorn Degandt (Sasol Volkswagen Polo) and Henk Lategan/Barry White (Sasol Volkswagen Polo).

Others to watch in the premier class will include Gugu Zulu/Carl Peskin (Sasol VW Polo), Japie van Niekerk/Gerhard Snyman (New Africa Developments Ford Fiesta) and Giniel de Villiers/Greg Godrich (Imperial Toyota Yaris).

FIGHTERS. Henk Lategan and Barry White (Sasol VW Polo) could surprise the title leaders in the Cape. Picture: Dave Ledbitter

> Three S2000 Challenge competitors will trade times by the stage as the battle for older four-wheel-drive machinery is set to intensify.

Thilo Himmel/Armand du Toit (VW Polo Vivo) and Wilro Dippenaar/Kes Naidoo (PZN Panelbeaters Toyota Auris) are evenly matched.

Splitting them could be Piet Bakkes/Shaun Visser (Accident Guru Toyota RunX).

Super 1600

Chad van Beurden/Nico Swartz (VW Polo R2) pulled off their maiden victory in Cullinan last month, ending a four-wins-on-the-trot sequence for championship leaders Guy Botterill/Simon Vacy Lyle (Yato Tools Etios).

Both crews know they can win, as will Ashley Haigh Smith/Damian van As (React Ford Fiesta).

Mathew Vacy Lyle/Schalk van Heerden (Fragram Tools Toyota Etios) are third on the points log and need to make up ground.

Meanwhile, Andre Heine/Robbie Coetzee (Volkswagen Polo R2) have picked up loads of points since switching to the VW camp and will be aiming to maintain their momentum.

Other VW Polo crews include Paul Franken/Henry Kohne (Manitou Polo), Marko Himmel/Francois Schoonbee and AC  Potgieter/Tommy du Toit (Tri-Sec Auto Polo).

Ford also has Ernie van der Walt/James Aldridge in their Ferodo Fiesta R2, capable of a podium on the day. Rounding out the entry is Chris Coertse/Mari van der Walt (Electrothread Toyota Etios).

The entry will feature 12 Western Cape regional championship cars, adding value for the spectators who flock to this event.

Route

The Toyota Cape Dealer Rally will start at 2pm this Friday from Imperial Toyota Cape Gate. Crews will tackle just one gravel stage north of Durbanville before taking on the tarmac challenge of two stages at Killarney raceway. Two car park stages at Cape Gate conclude Friday’s 47km route.

A 6am start on Saturday will take crews for a 45-minute service at Paddavlei before the first stage at 8am.

The traditional Nuwedam and Langgewens stage around Malmesbury will both be repeated.

The final stage will take place at the Meerendal Wine Estate, where the podium ceremony will be held.