On Saturday October 4, engines revved loudly at the start of the IFS Coal Dust Rally. Rally enthusiasts came from near and far to show teams their support.
The annual Highveld Motor Club (HMC) rally kicked off at 09:00 at the Truter Farm Grounds near Klipspruit Mine in Ogies, from where the drivers had to continue through six stages.
Four local drivers and their navigators also tested their skills on the dirt roads.
The event was won by Luke Botha and Andre Vermeulen in a Toyota RunX RSi of South African Motor Club (SAM), who won all special stages.
Second were Willie van Straaten and Scott Howden in their Toyota RunX 2-litre, who were followed by Jaco and George Baker in a Toyota Tazz 1.6. Willie and Scott were also the first HMC crew.
Other locals, Juandre Nienaber and Schaan Jansen van Rensburg in their Toyota Tazz 1600 20V, finished sixth overall.
The only participant in the South African Historical Rally Car Association (SAHRA) category was Pieter Pilusa and James Thomson in a Nissan Sentra, who participated in class R and finished seventh.
A number of teams fell prey to a series of ‘yumps’ (jumps) spread across the stages.
Top contenders and favourites, locals Schalk Burger Jnr and Armand du Toit in a Toyota Corolla, retired in third special stage.
HMC’s Jose da Gouveia and his navigator, Mari Ducasse, in the Toyota Corolla 1600 20V were also forced to retire, as did Marco Himmel and Francois Schoonbee in their Volkswagen Polo R2.
Other locals who also did not make the finish line were Zylie Joubert and Marius Steenkamp in a Volkswagen Polo Playa and Hennie and Madeleine Lourens in a Volkswagen Polo.
