Toti navigator sets sights on rally success

The canefields in the Scottburgh area will come alive to the ripping and roaring of super fast rally cars teasing the ragged edge of disaster on Friday and Saturday, 27 and 28 February.

 
The rally will be based at the Scottburgh Country Club.

 
Scrutineering takes place on the Thursday from 6pm, where visitors will be able to see the cars and possibly even chat to the competitors.

 
Toti will be represented by Brian Clifton, who will come out of a 15-year hiatus to navigate a 320-horse power 1984 model Nissan Skyline, driven by Trevor Graham, formerly of the Bluff.

 
Brian has 20 years’ experience in navigating these dirt monsters at incredible speeds with pinpoint accuracy along dirt tracks.

 
“SA Rally has introduced a new stage to encourage new and young people into the sport, and give us geriatrics some fun,” said Brian.
“We are in the process of re-building the car and will test it a week before the event.”

 
Expect to cheer on top SA drivers in this national event, including Giniel de Villiers, who finished second at this year’s Dakar Rally in South America.

 
The cars will constantly be returning to the ‘service park’ for refettling and refuelling during the rally, and the trophies will also be handed out there when all the dust has finally settled.

 
‘Spectator guides’ will be available from the service park to assist you to find a great spot in the cane to get close to the action.

 
It all gets down and dirty from 1pm on the Friday, when the cars head out from the country club onto the special stages in the area for the serious action.

 
With competition really tight, there is no time for ‘feeling’ your way in to the rally – it is flat out from the gun, with no room for error or complacency. The crews will be sweating from the start of stage 1, whether we have the traditional February heatwave or a summer thunderstorm,” said Brian.

 
“We will go out to have a bit of fun and hopefully our car can go through the whole rally.”