Spectator friendly finale to Cross Country Championship
‘Race is set to provide a dramatic end to the season.’
The final race in this year’s Donaldson Cross Country Championship, the Atlas Copco Gold 450 on the West Rand on November 28 and 29, will be a spectator friendly event with a route that will be familiar to regular competitors in the series.
In a statement issued by the SA National Off Road Car Racing Association on Friday, with a number of championships still up for grabs, particularly in the Production Vehicle category, the race is set to provide a dramatic end to the season.
The race is again based at the Kloof Country Club in Glenharvie, with a route similar to last year – but run in a clockwise direction.
The qualifying race to determine grid positions will see crews tackle a 100 kilometre route, with the race to be run over two 160 kilometre loops. Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service park will all be based at the Kloof Country Club.
The qualifying race will take crews north east to Hillshaven through the farm Elandsfontein onto South Deep and Jagtfontein. The route then heads back to the start/finish via Kalbasfontein.
The route for the main race includes the entire qualifying section, and also heads south to Doringkloof before a homeward stretch that includes the Telkom koppies and Wagterskop. The very rocky Telkom koppies and Wagterskop sections are hilly and technical, and will provide teams with a special challenge.
“The route is an interesting one with lots of contrasts,” said route director Adri Roets. “The weekend will provide crews with plenty to think about.
“The first section of the route combines open veld with some twisty sections and small river crossings, with the last 40 kilometres made up of rocky climbs, some serious wash aways and dongas.”
Roets added there were also numerous road crossings with the route running close to main arterials. This will allow for excellent viewing at designated spectator points with public entry to these areas free of charge.
The championship issues that still have to be settled, and the fact that Glenharvie is easily accessible from a number of major centres, is likely to ensure a good turnout of cross country enthusiasts. The venue is close to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Krugersdorp, Potchefstroom, Randfontein and other towns on the West Rand.
There is also free public entry to race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service park. The qualifying race will start at 11.30am on Friday, November 28 and the main race at 8.30am the following day.
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