New format for SA champs
Drive Dullstroom Destiny will be involved, as they were last year.
MAKE A SPLASH. The Mpumalanga 400 race will kick off this year’s SA Cross Country Championship in and around Dullstroom on March 15 and 16. Picture: Nadia Jordaan.
This year’s South African National Cross-Country Championship will feature a new format, plus new teams and sponsors.
The series will henceforth cater for production vehicles, special vehicles and side-by-side recreational vehicles. It will kick off with the Mpumalanga 400 event in and around Dullstroom on March 15 and 16.
The race was hosted in Dullstroom for the first time last year and was voted Event of the Year.
This year’s route will traverse similar areas to that of the inaugural event, but route director Adri Roets has made some refinements that should add to the competitive element.
A few minor changes have also been made to the popular spectator stage, on the outskirts of the town, to enhance spectator value.
The Emakhazeni Municipality, landowners, businesses and local community have again thrown their weight behind the Mpumalanga 400, creating a sustainable future for the event.
On Friday, there will be a ceremonial start at 1.30pm from the Village Green Cricket Oval before competitors tackle a 45km qualifying race at 2pm.
The results of the qualifying race will determine the starting positions for Saturday’s race, to consist of a 180km loop that teams will have to complete twice.
The Village Green Cricket Oval will be the hub of all activities with race headquarters, the Start/Finish and the Designated Service Point situated here for the duration of the race.
Saturday’s race will start from the Village Green Cricket Oval at 8.30am.
After the first 180 km loop there will be a compulsory 30 minute service halt at the DSP where enthusiasts can get up close and personal with teams, while viewing the race vehicles and service action.
The race will restart at noon, with the finish, podium and trophy ceremony at the Village Green Cricket Oval as soon as the results have been finalised.
Drive Dullstroom Destiny, an organisation run and funded by property and business owners of the village that want to see Dullstroom succeed, will again be involved in the event.
Dullstroom is approximately 250km from Gauteng and in close proximity to the rest of Mpumalanga and Limpopo, making it easy for cross-country fans to attend the race.
Enthusiasts can also follow the race via the RallySafe App that can be downloaded free of charge.
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