Man Cave presenter Janez set to ride rough

Janez Vermeiren, co-presenter of the Man Cave magazine programme on SABC3, will team up with Regent Racing team principal Terence Marsh in a Nissan Navara in the Production Vehicle category. The pair will compete in the premier Class T category for vehicles above four litres with independent rear suspension – and Vermeiren has a tough act to follow.

Marsh and 5FM’s DJ Fresh finished sixth overall on the recent Nkomazi 450 race in Mpumalanga. It was a result that took DJ Fresh to the top of the Imperial Auto Celebrity Challenge points table, with the Regent Racing squad winning the team prize with five finishers in the top 10.

“As a team, we will be looking for more of the same success in Vryburg,” said Marsh. “And Janez is excited about the challenge. He has done well in test sessions and should be well prepared for what is going to be a tough race. “DJ Fresh did a great job on the Nkomazi 450, and exposing a popular disc jockey and a television personality like Janez to cross country racing allows us to expose our sport to a young and vibrant cross section of South Africans.”

Marsh, a former SA champion, is the driving force behind the Imperial Auto Celebrity Challenge, which has provided an important marketing platform for the Donaldson Championship. The challenge provides the opportunity for celebrities from the sport and entertainment worlds to experience the excitement and adventure of national motor racing, and is now in its fourth season.

Cape Town born Vermeiren is an international model who has appeared in over 100 commercials for international brands. He won the Mr Clifton in 2001, and in 2003 won the Men’s Health ‘Look of the Year’ award.

Vermeiren currently co-hosts Man Cave, a magazine show aimed predominantly at a male audience, with Lunga Shabalala. Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service park for the Vryburg Endurance will again be located at the Vryburg Motor Club on the outskirts of the North West town. Public entrance to this area is free of charge.

There is also free public entry to spectator points along the route, and spectator guides will be available at race headquarters.

The qualifying race to determine grid position will start at 10.30am on September 11 and the race starts at 7.30am the next day.