Locals shine at Delmas round of the 2022 NRC rally

Spectators from all over were entertained by the roaring engines of rally cars competing in round nine and 10 of the 2022 South African National Rally Championships (NRC).

The Delmas Rally took place during the weekend of Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8 in and around the dusty farm roads of the town.

From early Friday morning, the sound of racing cars filled the town. As many as 22 cars gathered on the rugby field at Hoërskool Delmas.

The gates were opened for the public and enthusiasts had the chance to view the different cars at their stations and chat with the drivers and service teams.

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At around 11:30 the cars gathered at NTT Toyota in Delmas. Once again, the public was able to see the different cars and their teams.

Delmas had three local teams competing in the NRC.

In car #12, a Hyundai R4, were JJ Potgieter with co-driver Tommy du Toit. Potgieter has six years rally experience with many podium finishes and has had one crash.

Michael McGregor drove car #8, a VW Polo R2, with five years of experience, five national podium finishes and one crash behind his name.

Newcomer to the proud bunch of rally drivers from Delmas was Magriet Potgieter in her Ford Fiesta R2 with two years experience, two national podium finishes and she had one crash.

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On Friday night, the crew entertained locals with a real show-off in and around Delmas, a nifty turn inside the grounds of Hoërskool Delmas and few immaculate turns in Hendrik Verwoerd Street before getting their cars ready for Saturday’s race which was hosted at Die Tapkar, just outside Delmas.

The local neighbourhood watches from Delmas and Sundra served as marshals during the evening’s event and therefore had front-seat viewing during the racing action in town.

Chris Coertse and Greg Godrich won Friday’s race with a five-stage win rout over final test winners while local teammates, AC Potgieter and Tommy du Toit’s in car #12 came second overall.

Theuns Joubert and Schalk van Heerden’s in their Toyota Yaris were third. Fourth on Friday was Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle.

On Saturday, Potgieter delivered a brilliant final stage win, but it was not enough to prevent Botterill and Vacy-Lyle in their Toyota from taking the winning position on the podium.

JJ Potgieter, therefore, did not disappoint and made Delmas proud with two-second places.

The 2022 NRC ends with final rounds 11 and 12, during the weekend of Friday, 18 November and Saturday, 19 November at TRACN4, Dullstroom.