With 25 cars competing in various classes and tight roads offering little margin for error, a finish and the joy of competing offer just about all the satisfaction a diehard rallyist could ask for. Theuns Joubert/Schalk van Heerden in a Toyota Yaris won the race, followed by Kenneth and Kemaine Venter in a Toyota Tazz and Vladimir Sibirko/Danie Rossouw in a Subaru Impressa in third. Four teams from the Lowveld also competed in this event, and although mechanical challenges presented themselves, all four teams completed the race, although Simon Bezuidenhout registered a DNF.
Nick and Bianca Theunissen – Corsa: “We finished in 13th overall and third in Class D,” said Nick. “I navigated (I have only done it once before) and the first couple of stages were hectic, but things improved throughout the night stages. We lost some time, though, but made it up again on Saturday. In stage 9 we hit a jump – too fast – and it cracked the car’s nose on the left side. We tied the front suspension to the roll cage with cargo straps and this allowed us to finish the race. Some of the stages were really rough, but this is rallying. We have lots of repair work to do, but will certainly be at the Bronkhorstspruit event.”
Ticky Martyn and George Baker – Toyota Etios: Regular readers will remember the team’s serious roll at the Ermelo event. “The car has just been repaired and we were looking forward to this event,” said Martyn. “We set off in third at the start of the Tzaneen race, and lost our lights on the night stages which was absolutely hair-raising. To add fuel to the fire, my navigator forgot his reading glasses at home. So yes, we lost about seven minutes, but made it up on Saturday and eventually finished seventh overall and third in Class C.” Martyn currently holds second place in Class C on the national competitor list.
Drian le Grange and Yvonne Theunissen – VW Golf: This team has only been together for two races, but Theunissen is of course an experienced navigator – and she can drive too! “We started in 20th position. We were flying through stages 1 to 3 and placed third overall after stage 3. The pressure of the night stages made us nervous, but it went well. In stages 4 and 5, we set up the fastest times. We started in fifth place on Saturday being chased by Subaru. But we broke a CV joint and were towed through the last stage by Steward Stirling in his rally Kombi. This placed us ninth overall and second in Class B. We learned a lot and you better watch this space…”
Simon Bezuidenhout and Adriaan Louw – Toyota Etios: “This was our first big event. The first was the rally in Mbombela. As a new team, we have a modern car but are somewhat rusted oldies. A faulty petrol pump cost us the two night stages. Thus we started the Saturday under Super Rally rules. In stage 6 we lost a brake pipe – no brakes but the hand brake (scary) and eventually, although we completed the day’s stages, we registered a DNF because of the night stages we had missed. But you bet your bottom dollar that we will be ready – and kitted with a stronger fuel pump – for the next event. The stages were not that bad and extremely well marked,” said Bezuidenhout.
Simola Hillclimb in Knysna The well-known Nelspartan and racing aficionado, Piet Potgieter, competed in the road-going saloon cars and supercars at the Simola Hillclimb in Knysna. He bagged a 50.014 on his second run up the hill to take Class A3 in the Alfa Romeo Guilia Quadrifoglio. “It was not my first time at Simola, and I have done a 47.3-second hill, but at that time it was in May. My intention this time was to break the 50-second barrier, but I missed a gear and so I am grateful for the time of 50.014 seconds. The Alfa does not have launch control and in Sport mode the power to the rear wheels renders a somewhat loose rear end, so one has to drive in Dynamic mode. But it is an exiting event to compete in and share with amazing and powerful cars and extremely skillful drivers,” said Potgieter.
Piet is still young enough to endure more winters and summers, and one day is one day. On that day, it will all come together on the hill – the Simola hill – and he will crush the 47 barrier in his beloved Alfa.
