2010 South African National Rally championships [Archive]

Mirek

8th March 2010, 10:37

A lot of crashes in the opening round and also burned new Fiesta after some technical problem on the road section. Clear win for VW, more info http://www.rallyworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=1&Itemid=11

1. Fekken (Polo S2000) 1:56:43,8
2. Kuun (Polo S2000) +24,9
3. Cronje (Auris S2000) +1:10,2
4. Rautenbach (Impreza N16) +1:45,4
5. Van Niekerk (Auris S2000) +2:39,3
6. Ryan (Polo S2000) +4:29,5
7. Damseaux (Corolla S2000) +4:32,7
8. Habig (Polo S2000) +5:06,6 (2:20 penalty)
9. Rueda (Corolla S2000) +5:13,2
10. Joubert (Polo S2000) +5:51,8

I wish Martin Grant and Mohammed Moosa speedy recovery. Fortunately Your crash didn't ended worse!

m.lowe

8th March 2010, 12:40

OMG I can't beleive the Fiesta is lost to fire
I wonder if M-Sport will build a new car quickly for them
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/6362/00wilken1.jpg

Grant_RSA

9th March 2010, 09:10

Lots of bad luck this weekend, we came out relatively unscathed, Mohammed broke a collar bone but is already on the mend,

i am just battered and bruised, but no injuries.

Speedy recovery for Schalk Burger Jnr who sustained back and rib injuries.

thanks for the well wishes.

Grant Martin.

Bruce D

10th March 2010, 11:47

Grant, do you agree with Leon Botha's statements on Rallystar? I was reading his report and he seems to make it out as if the Tour is the most dangerous rally in history and also blames people for adjusting their notes. Did you guys change the notes at the point you guys crashed?

Bruce D

10th March 2010, 11:50

OMG I can't beleive the Fiesta is lost to fire
I wonder if M-Sport will build a new car quickly for them

Reading the team report over at rallyworld, it seems that Charl isnt getting another one any time soon, which is a real pity. http://www.rallyworld.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=290:end-of-the-road-for-basil-readbizhub-ford-fiesta-team&catid=42:total-tour-natal-rally&Itemid=62

Ps. Interesting to hear Conrad Rautenbach pass a comment this weekend that these roads in Natal are the best he's ever driven on anywhere! Not too shabby coming from someone with WRC experience.

Bruce D

10th March 2010, 11:55

Came across this following a link on another thread here - in the foreground is the Moosa car (Grant's car) and in the background is Schalk Burger Jr's car.

http://i41.tinypic.com/fm53q9.jpg

Mirek

10th March 2010, 11:59

That RunX looks rather "second hand"... new chassis needed I guess?

By the way are there any videos from SA available online? There are only very few on youtube...

Bruce D

10th March 2010, 13:17

Not that I know of. Unless someone is uploading the TV coverage, I doubt there is any.

Grant_RSA

11th March 2010, 08:25

hi Bruce,

No we didnt change the call,

The Natal event is one of the favourites on the calendar , and will remain that way.

Mirek , yes new shell, but the important bits are still in tact.

m.lowe

12th March 2010, 11:10

I would like to get a dvd from the Tour Natal to see the Fiesta
Does anyone have a contact for the Fiesta team as I am wanting to make a model of it when the Fiesta S2000 model is produced

Red bull

12th March 2010, 14:56

seems like Conrad Rautenbach is confirmed, will start the season in a Subaru N2010 and move to a Ford S2000 by round 2 late in March.
what will he do with the c4 wrc this season? :confused:

Audimadgeoff

12th March 2010, 18:31

what will he do with the c4 wrc this season? :confused: it was a citroen Sport car run by PH sport

Red bull

14th March 2010, 12:22

what about solbergs c4s,bought them or are also run by PH citroen sport?

m.lowe

14th March 2010, 13:00

what about solbergs c4s,bought them or are also run by PH citroen sport?
Petter bought his with parts from Citroen Sport run by Petter's own team

Red bull

14th March 2010, 15:45

i wonder what he ll do with the cars after 2010,maybe sell them to america in open class rallies.

Bruce D

15th March 2010, 11:44

Nice little 15sec of fame there in a the TV coverage Grant. :p

From your in-car that roll was seriously frightening and it's amazing that you guys go away relatively lightly with your injuries.

Grant_RSA

15th March 2010, 12:05

More like 15 sec of gibberish if you ask me, but thanks, hahahha

yeah, must admit felt like it went on alot longer than it shows on tv. Those cars are built like tanks,

sarally

15th March 2010, 16:08

I would like to get a dvd from the Tour Natal to see the Fiesta
Does anyone have a contact for the Fiesta team as I am wanting to make a model of it when the Fiesta S2000 model is produced

You Can mail me on gcgodrich@gmail.com I will see what I can do for you, I am/was the navigator in the Fiesta

Bruce D

16th March 2010, 08:30

sarally, what are the chances of seeing you guys again this year, realisticly? My understanding was that Ford was assisting in some way so maybe they would fund a 2nd car?

Someone mentioned to me the other day that you guys could do a deal with Conrad to get the Impreza for the rest of the season while he has the Fiesta. I didn't think that was realistic cos his car is a Prodrive one.

sarally

16th March 2010, 13:48

Bruce, no there is certainly noway that will happen as we are a Ford Rally team now, there is a rumour on a local site that we are getting a loan car from M-Sport, but nothing is final yet...BUt is not looking AS bleak as it was a week ago..WE are certainly holding thumbs...

Bruce D

16th March 2010, 14:57

Well thats really good news then. We need a variety in cars now so having you guys bringing the Ford out was great. And after last year you guys didn't deserve this, so I'll be holding thumbs too.

Bobcat

16th March 2010, 18:30

http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/member.php?u=198698sarally, I wish you luck for a successful comeback with the Ford Fiesta.

Wim_Impreza

23rd March 2010, 18:44

Entry list Toyota Dealer Rally Cape for this weekend: http://www.rallyworld.net/attachments/ENTRY%20List%20-%2010%20sorted.pdf

Barreis

27th March 2010, 18:52

Came across this following a link on another thread here - in the foreground is the Moosa car (Grant's car) and in the background is Schalk Burger Jr's car.

http://i41.tinypic.com/fm53q9.jpg

Must be a bad roll.. And a good roll bar.. Some Cr-mb roll bars are killers these days..

Grant_RSA

29th March 2010, 07:44

Everything is still in tact, only skins to be replaced.

that shell will become a spare.

Bruce D

29th March 2010, 08:17

Brilliant rally down in Cape Town this weekend. Conrad Rautenbach taking Ford's first win in SA for 12 years, just 4.8sec ahead of Enzo Kuun in the Polo!

Barreis

29th March 2010, 17:12

Is there any incar video of this shunt?

Bruce D

30th March 2010, 07:00

There was in the TV coverage (it's really nasty, they were seriously moving at the time), but I don't know if anyone has posted it on the web.

Final Results of the Toyota Dealer Rally in Cape Town last weekend:

1. Conrad Rautenbach - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:28:32.4
2. Enzo Kuun - VW Polo S2000 - 1:28.37.0
3. Hergen Fekken - VW Polo S2000 - 1:28:53.2
4. Johnny Gemmell - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:29:35.7
5. Heinrich Lategan - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:30:04.0
6. Mark Cronje - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:31:58.9
7. Theuns Joubert - VW Polo S2000 - 1:32:44.6
8. Evan Hutchison - VW Polo S2000 - 1:32.45.9
9. Jaco van Dyk - VW Polo S2000 - 1:34:03.4
10. Visser du Plessis - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:35:10.4

Grant_RSA

30th March 2010, 07:18

Barreis, we do have the footage but hasnt been posted anywhere.

Barreis

30th March 2010, 20:12

Please can You send me on this e-mail: [email:mn108me9]robert.barreis@gmail.com[/email:mn108me9]
Thank You very much! :)

Grant_RSA

31st March 2010, 13:03

ahh, you want to see me crash do you? hahahaha

i dont have the footage with me, will get it from the driver at some stage.

Barreis

31st March 2010, 14:15

Thank You.. It's part of the sport and nothing else.. :)

Bruce D

1st April 2010, 07:02

Ah, there you go Grant, so next time when you're barrel rolling down the road and seeing sky, grass, sky, grass, sky, grass, just remember it's part of the sport! :p

Barreis

1st April 2010, 09:06

It's psychological.. :)

Grant_RSA

1st April 2010, 14:05

bwhahahahhaaha, i saw sky grass sky grass, then i closed my eyes, it seemed like a better thing to do :-)

Barreis will try sort it for you.

Barreis

1st April 2010, 17:08

Thanks friend.. :)

Bruce D

26th April 2010, 09:20

Epic battle between Hergen Fekken and Conrad Rautenbach on the Sasol Rally - after swopping the lead many times they both fell out on the same stage.

Final Results
1. Enzo Kuun - VW Polo S2000 - 1:48:04.4
2. Johnny Gemme - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:48:34.9
3. Jan Habig - VW Polo S2000 - 1:48:53.1
4. Mark Cronje - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:50:17.4
5. Henrich Lategan - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:51:44.3
6. Jean-Pierre Damseaux - Toyota RunX S2000 - 1:51:57.2
7. Fernando Rueda - Toyota RunX S2000 - 1:56:13.7
8. Leeroy Poulter - Toyota RunX A6 - 2:03:16.5
9. Tjaart Conradie - Toyota Auris A6 - 2:04:29.5
10. Joos Staasen - Subaru Impreza N4 - 2:08:41.6

handbrakes&hairpins

12th May 2010, 08:28

Rallying in South Africa this late last month proved to be as exciting and dramatic as any other international championship. The fearsome and daunting forest roads of Mpumalanga’s Lowveld provided the ideal scene for this the third round of the South African Rally Championship.

To read more on this rally, and from rallying in South Africa which boasts the most S2000 entries in a national rally championship (17 cars), please click here:
http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress....ol-rally-2010/

To read the latest news in an entertaining FREE eMagazine, please send your e-mail address to [email:olbuwco8]evan.hhmag@gmail.com[/email:olbuwco8] or head to http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com to subscribe for FREE to this weekly eMagazine.

handbrakes&hairpins

14th May 2010, 09:29

South African national rallies compare well with those held in the United Kingdom, but if they want to get on equal footing with other European rallies, the controlling body of rallies would have to introduce recce’s for the competitors. This is the opinion of internationally rated rally competitor, Conrad Rautenbach, who is competing in the SA Sasol National Rally Championship this year.

Rautenbach has been a regular competitor in the Junior World Rally Championship and the World Rally Championship in the past few years. He will be in action a Class S2000 Ford Fiesta on the Rally of South Africa on 28/29 May in the Ermelo District.

Rauntenbach, who lives in Zimbabwe, said in an interview that South African rallies are well organised by very passionate people. He has found the South African events very challenging since it is the first time that he is doing all eight rounds and he is not used to enter rallies without a recce. “Without a recce it is very hard to drive flat out, I’m also used to longer rallies”, he said.

“Recce for me is the big thing. I do not know if it is a cost reason, but it would take less time. All you need is one full day for a recce. We are now spending over three days with the DVD and it is hard for drivers that have learnt to rally on their own notes to drive on someone else’s”, he added.

“I’ve liked the stages so far. They have been quite different in nature and challenging and that is what rallying needs. I think all the works drivers are very good and fully committed. There is a bit of a gap between the work’s drivers and the rest of the S2000 field, but it will, be interesting to see where Charl Wilken fits in with his new S2000 Ford Fiesta”, he said.

Rautenbach has so far given the local S2000 competitors a good run for their money in his M-Sport developed S2000 Ford Fiesta. He said that the car would be ready again for the Rally of South Africa after the mechanical problems they had on the Sasol that caused them not to finish while leading the event.

Grant_RSA

24th May 2010, 20:08

Barreis,

apologies that this took so long, but i have uploaded the crash to youtube,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UidIEj_EOxA

hopefully it will be processed and available by the time you go to look.

Barreis

24th May 2010, 20:29

Dear friend, after so long again on this page and you're here.. THANKS! :)

handbrakes&hairpins

26th May 2010, 10:51

The fourth round of the South African Rally Championship takes place this weekend! Set in Ermelo, in the Mpumalanga province of the country, I have seen the entry list and it includes 17 S2000 entries...

Two Ford Fiesta S2000s (one driven by former WRC driver Conrad Rautenbach) and three factory Volkswagen Polo S2000s, two factory Toyota Auris S2000s and a host of Auris, RunX and Polo S2000 privateers!

The rest of the Classes also proves to be exciting, with the return of Chris de Wit?Dean Redelinghuys (Toyota RunX Class A7) to Class A7. It will be a fight to the very end of the rally for all competitors!

I cannot wait to see the cars in action!

I will keep you all posted and updated on this event...

Cheers for now!

vino_93

26th May 2010, 13:42

Hi !
Have you an entry list please and the official webstie please ? :)

Bruce D

1st June 2010, 12:27

Closest finish ever in SA rally history! 0.7sec!

Rally of South Africa Results

1. Johnny Gemmell - Toyota Auris S2000 - 2:06:32.6
2. Jan Habig - VW Polo S2000 - 2:06.33.3
3. Jean-Pierre Damseaux - Toyota RunX S2000 - 2:09:49.7
4. Fernando Rueda - Toyota RunX S2000 - 2:10:21.2
5. Jaco van Dyk - VW Polo S2000 - 2:14.26.7
6. Mohammed Moosa - Toyota RunX S2000 - 2:19:08.3
7. Leeroy Poulter - Toyota RunX A6 - 2:21.35.6
8. Tjaart Conradie - Toyota Auris A6 - 2:22:26.6
9. Nicholas Ryan - VW Polo S2000 - 2:22:32.2
10. Evan Hutchison - VW Polo S2000 - 2:23.34.1

Unofficial Top 10 Championship Positions
1. Enzo Kuun - 67
2. Johnny Gemmell - 63
3. Jan Habig - 53
4. Mark Cronje - 51
5. Jean-Pierre Damseaux - 48
6. Hergen Fekken - 44
7. Fernando Rueda - 43
8. Conrad Rautenbach - 42
9. Leeroy Poulter - 36
10. Craig Trott - 35

Barreis

2nd June 2010, 17:32

I find this championship really atractive.. No Mitsu or Subaru N4 in top 10.. Also would like to see some video coverages from events but it's impossible to find it.. Please put that links here..

Grant_RSA

4th June 2010, 13:37

hi Barreis,

at this stage there is only coverage on our satelite sports channels, which is shown in South Africa and most of Africa,

Barreis

4th June 2010, 13:50

If there's something we can put it on our web site http://www.rally-emotions.com

handbrakes&hairpins

9th June 2010, 19:47

Barreis,

You're looking for more info on the South African Rally Championship, I reckon you should visit my website: http://handbrakeshairpins.wordpress.com for more. As for video footage, I think for the 2011 season you may find some of that on my website if all goes according to plan!

handbrakes&hairpins

9th June 2010, 19:55

There is now a LONG wait for Round of the Championship, taking place late in July in the coastal city Port Elizabeth.

The Volkswagen Rally was last year a Volkswagen lock-out of the podium: the three factory-backed Polo S2000s made it look easy for the BP Volkswagen team.

However, this season things look very different. The Toyota Auris S2000s are doing well, and there are a host of new drivers. One to keep an eye out for is Conrad Rautenbach driving his Ford Fiesta S2000. The forest gravel roads have proven to suit the Fiesta S2000, so I think it will be an all-out battle to catch the diminutive Zimbabwean...

Who do you think will take the podium places this year?

Barreis

9th June 2010, 20:14

Thank you very much! If guys from SA want we can put video coverages on our site http://www.rally-emotions.com
We have every WRC event (daily coverages aprx. 25 minutes) and also live IRC stuff..

handbrakes&hairpins

1st July 2010, 18:45

Just a few weeks to the Volkswagen Rally!

Conrad Rautenbach will be spectacular in the Longmore Forest stages, but will Hergen Fekken and Johnny Gemmell be able to catch the youngster?

Barreis

14th July 2010, 15:05

Is there something new on this part of the world (except FIFA)?

Grant_RSA

15th July 2010, 07:29

VW Rally on the 23rd and 24th July in Port Elizabeth, one of the host cities.

some articles : http://www.rallyworld.net/

Bruce D

26th July 2010, 09:26

Gemmel wins the VW Rally by 1.5sec!

FINAL RESULTS
1. Johnny Gemmel - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:38:45.8
2. Enzo Kuun - VW Polo S2000 - 1:38.47.3
3. Jan Habig - VW Polo S2000 - 1:38:57.8
4. Conrad Rautenbach - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:39:15.9
5. Charl Wilken - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:41:02.8
6. Visser du Plessis - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:41:42.5
7. Jaco van Dyk - VW Polo S2000 - 1:42:09.0
8. Mark Cronje - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:42:09.8
9. Nicholas Ryan - VW Polo S2000 - 1:42:48.2
10. Mohammed Moosa - Toyota RunX S2000 - 1:43:45.09

Bruce D

23rd August 2010, 12:24

Osram Rally Final Results

1. Enzo Kuun - VW Polo S2000 - 1:25:00.0
2. Hergen Fekken - VW Polo S2000 - 1:25:23.7
3. Conrad Rautenbach - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:25:42.6
4. Jan Habig - VW Polo S2000 - 1:25:48.2
5. Johnny Gemmell - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:26:41.7
6. Heinrich Lategan - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:27:25.0
7. Visser du Plessis - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:27:56.8
8. Jean-Pierre Damseaux - Toyota RunX S2000 - 1:28:19.7
9. Theuns Joubert - VW Polo S2000 - 1:29:23.3
10. Mohammed Moosa - Toyota RunX S2000 - 1:29:33.6

CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS (After 6 of 8 rounds)
PS DRIVER CAR CLASS POINTS
1 Enzo Kuun VW S2000 113
2 Johnny Gemmell Toyota S2000 104
3 Jan Habig VW S2000 89
4 Conrad Rautenbach Ford S2000 78
5 Mark Cronje Toyota S2000 74
6 Hergen Fekken VW S2000 65
7 Jean-Pierre Damseaux Toyota S2000 64
8 Fernando Rueda Toyota S2000 53
9 Leeroy Poulter Toyota A6 52
10 Heinrich Lategan Toyota S2000 47

Barreis

6th September 2010, 15:18

Any news from this side of the world?

Red bull

8th September 2010, 13:34

its better for one of the top rally drivers to import a skoda s 2000 then we can compare perfomance of toyota,vw,ford,skoda the sa rallies :rolleyes:

Mirek

8th September 2010, 13:55

VW has very strong position both in SA championship and market and I'm sure they won't be happy to have another VAG brand possibly beating them on their home playground. Moreover Skoda has no official importer in SA. I can see quite a lot of reasons for VW to try to keep Skoda out of SA.

Bruce D

8th September 2010, 19:57

Bruce D

8th September 2010, 20:00

Any news from this side of the world?

Due to business commitments Mark Cronje has withdrawn with immediate effect from the 2nd works Castrol Toyota Auris. Rumour has it that A6 champion Leeroy Poulter will take his place.

Other rumour is that Citroen will be making cars available to buy for a Citroen Cup in A6 next year, although why this class I'm not sure as it's not well supported, only 3 cars in general on each event. Rumours continue that we may see a Citroen S2000 car here too.

Grant_RSA

9th September 2010, 15:34

Mirek

9th September 2010, 16:54

Well we do have a bit of a comparison at the moment, Conrad Rautenbach is no slouch behind the wheel and he's in the latest Fiesta and he matches the local guys, maybe slightly quicker in some situations, but I think his biggest stage win margin this year has been about 12sec, and others have taken the same amount on stages as well. I think in general the VW and Toyota, if driven by proper drivers, are very competitive with the other S2000 manufacturers. IMO the IRC doesn't show the true competitiveness of S2000.

Don't get me wrong. I just wanted to point out that VW Group won't allow competition between two own brands in situation when one of them isn't present on local market. Of course some privateer can import Fabia himself, but officially no way.

Bruce D

13th September 2010, 14:53

Leeroy Poulter is confirmed as Mark Cronje's replacement at the Castrol Toyota Auris team for the rest of the season. Should be interesting to see what happens here.

Bruce D

13th September 2010, 14:54

Definately wont see Skoda here, but there is the citroen rumour and possibly a mini at some stage to.

Competition is seriously fierce at the moment, and any additional manufacturers will make it manic.

Unless we copy the WRC 1600-Turbo route I don't see Mini coming here. And I also don't see the point of us coping the WRC route at this stage. S2000 makes so much more sense in this country.

It would be great to see more manufacturers though.

Grant_RSA

20th September 2010, 11:44

Bruce, there was a rep from prodrive at the rally this weekend, and it wasnt for any Subaru support. thats smells of mini to me.

Bruce D

21st September 2010, 13:05

Hmm, yes, but S2000? Maybe a A6 car? I suppose it depends on how far the deal with Mini goes, whether it means developing something other than a WRC car. Wouldn't be a bad championship to test a car in. Just far enough out of the limelight to learn, but competitive enough to be a challenge.

Bruce D

21st September 2010, 13:09

Results from the Swartland Rally this weekend:

1. Enzo Kuun - VW Polo S2000 - 1:31:47.6
2. Jan Habig - VW Polo S2000 - 1:32:27.9
3. Hergen Fekken - VW Polo S2000 - 1:32:34.0
4. Conrad Rautenbach - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:32:54.9
5. Jean-Pierre Damseaux - Toyota RunX S2000 - 1:33:49.8
6. Charl Wilken - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:33:57.6
7. Heinrich Lategan - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:34:12.7
8. Johnny Gemmell - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:35:59.7
9. Leeroy Poulter - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:36:04.2
10. Nicholas Ryan - VW Polo S2000 - 1:36:33.9

Championship standings - Enzo Kuun needs a 16th or higher in the next round to secure the title:
TOP TEN
PS DRIVER CAR CLASS POINTS
1 Enzo Kuun VW S2000 138
2 Johnny Gemmell Toyota S2000 117
3 Jan Habig VW S2000 110
4 Conrad Rautenbach Ford S2000 95
5 Hergen Fekken VW S2000 84
6 Jean-Pierre Damseaux Toyota S2000 80
7 Mark Cronje Toyota S2000 74
8 Leeroy Poulter Toyota S2000 64
9 Heinrich Lategan Toyota S2000 61
10 Nicholas Ryan VW S2000 57

Barreis

22nd September 2010, 10:04

What about Moosa/Grant?

Bruce D

22nd September 2010, 12:38

I heard reports that they retired on SS5, some reports saying they went off the road. Grant, give us the facts... :)

Barreis

22nd September 2010, 22:18

Maybe also onboard.. :)

Grant_RSA

23rd September 2010, 07:06

nothing to exciting, slid wide entering a farm yard and clipped the base of a tree with the right front wheel causing terminal suspension damage.

We were .7 sec off of 9th overall at the time.

Barreis, unfortunately camera wasnt working for some reason.

Barreis

1st October 2010, 20:47

It would be very interesting to see some coverages from your events.. Anybody to upload them on the web?!

Bruce D

18th October 2010, 11:20

Final round results - Toyota Dealer Gauteng Rally.

Brilliant first overall win for Charl Wilken and Greg Godrich (known on this forum as sarally) in the Ford Fiesta S2000. Dominated the first day of tar stages and then drove a blinding 2nd day to hold off Conrad Rautenbach for a Ford 1-2 (the first one I can remember of since maybe the days of the Escort in the 70s).

Results

1. Charl Wilken - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:47:25.6
2. Conrad Rautenbach - Ford Fiesta S2000 - 1:48:50.4
3. Leeroy Poulter - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:48:56.7
4. Johnny Gemmmel - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:49:11.8
5. Hergen Fekken - VW Polo S2000 - 1:49:57.7
6. Heinrich Lategan - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:51:24.8
7. Japie van Niekerk - Toyota Auris S2000 - 1:51:38.2
8. Jan Habig - VW Polo S2000 - 1:52:00.1
9. Jaco van Dyk - VW Polo S2000 - 1:52:40.6
10. Theuns Joubert - VW Polo S2000 - 1:52:45.0

Grant_SA was 13th overall. Overall champion Enzo Kuun crashed out on SS3 but Gemmell had to win to take the title so he was safe.

Final Championship Standings
PS DRIVER CAR CLASS POINTS
1 Enzo Kuun VW S2000 138
2 Johnny Gemmell Toyota S2000 134
3 Jan Habig VW S2000 123
4 Conrad Rautenbach Ford S2000 116
5 Hergen Fekken VW S2000 100
6 Leeroy Poulter Toyota S2000 83
7 Jean-Pierre Damseaux Toyota S2000 80
8 Heinrich Lategan Toyota S2000 76
9 Mark Cronje Toyota S2000 74
10 Nicholas Ryan VW S2000 67

Grant_RSA

25th October 2010, 08:18

Make that 12th overall Bruce :-)

We sadly lost 3 positions on the final stage (super special) with a puncture, very disappointing after we fought back on day 2 after a terrible day 1 on tar.

Barreis

25th October 2010, 18:31

Interesting championship..

Grant_RSA

27th October 2010, 07:04

Barreis that it is, now silly season will start....

With rumours of Mini and Citroen's doing the rounds, maybe a very different prospect next year.

I think the decisions around continuing with the 2L format or moving to 1.6T will have a serious baring on all of it.

Barreis

28th October 2010, 18:10

I think that world wants some video coverages from RSA..

Mirek

28th October 2010, 18:11

I was always wondering why IRC which wants to be intercontinental hasn't gone to South Africa. They would have 20 S2000 cars granted...

Bruce D

30th October 2010, 12:32

Well if it's anything like when we were trying to get a WRC event here it means going to places we've never rallied on just so that it "looks like Africa". That turned out to be a total joke and flopped cos nobody wanted to travel miles into the unknown just to watch one stage and have to drive miles again to see the next one.

Mirek

30th October 2010, 12:42

I don't think that it would be a problem with IRC. They let almost everything up to event organizers and their needs and wishes. Anyway it doesn't matter if there hasn't been any such initiative.

Bruce D

30th October 2010, 14:29

Bit far for everyone to travel for such a series though, but I think it would go down well here.

Mirek

30th October 2010, 14:34

Yes, but afaik Eurosport pays transport costs to IRC competitors in case of rallies overseas.

Grant_RSA

1st November 2010, 13:18

Plans are on the cards for a major shakeup of rallying in SA next year, i hope this may be the turning point to bring some international competition,

Nevermind the IRC, i dont understand why we dont have a round of the African Championship at least, doesnt make sense , other than the fact that the African guys will struggle to be in our top 20 if we continue to grow S2000 next year at the same rate.

Barreis

1st November 2010, 13:38

You need a video coverages that people can see what's going on there.. People are so lazy for reading but to sit, drink coffie and watch something, that's different..

Bruce D

1st November 2010, 17:43

We used to have international coverage of our series, I remember Sweden and Finland had our TV coverage but I guess not now. Doesn't even get onto youtube now. I guess we all don't have enough bandwidth to upload the thing.

Barreis

1st November 2010, 18:13

You should 'cos it's a good championship and worth of watchin'..

Grant_RSA

2nd November 2010, 06:39

Barreis, i will have a word with the producers and see if its possible to upload part of the programs, we have 1 hour shows , so may be a bit large to upload a full version.

Grant_RSA

1st December 2010, 10:58

Looks like another Ford on its way to SA next year with former works Toyota Driver Mark Cronje.

If he gets his act together is going to be a serious contender in 2011.

Bruce D

2nd December 2010, 19:46

I know Charl is doing some serious 2 day testing with M-Sport guys before the Tour next year so watch out for them too.

We should also see the new shape Polo next year so good times ahead.

I was reading that newsletter from MSA about the future direction of the sport. What's your feelings Grant? Personally I think its a good idea to have the new classes more relevant to SA, but they should drop homologations altogether. I'm also interested to see what car in Group N runs for less than R250 000 seen as the new A5 Vivo is going for R350 000.

Grant_RSA

3rd December 2010, 06:30

Change is good, the classes have needed a revamp for some time, particularly A7.. Entry level class should be interesting and i think will take some careful thought The Vivo is a proper rally car with S2000 uprights etc, so cant really be put into that category, think you may see that kind of car upgraded to A6 or some sort of Super1600 , along with our old car and Wilkens ex Polo the class should become very competitive, a possible downgrade of old A7's to the "A6" is very possible and cheaper to run.This is all speculation on my part.

Sasol leaving is a worry, but i have my suspicions behind that decision and will see if it comes to fruition next year, i may be smoking my socks.

Changes to events are welcome, will be interesting to see where we will be rallying on the 3 events noted to be changed, im hoping we return to Tzaneen for one of them, its an awesome challenging event.

All in all good changes, the 2 Richards involved know the sport very well and i believe this will for the most part be positive.

Bruce D

3rd December 2010, 07:44

Well I get a lot of inside info from the organiser's side and I know there is worry there. The pace notes thing will probably work out fine, I know the Tour is being designed around that idea and it works very well. The 2nd possible event in KZN will probably be in the Pietermaritzburg area, there are some really good forest stages up there.

What concerns me is the pace note maker becoming the Route Director during the event. The likelihood of that person knowing the areas in the case of needing to redirect the route is not big. He should rather become a consultant to the route director on the event.

Sasol leaving is bad but at the same time I don't find it a shock. Besides their own event they never put any effort into promotion of the events or the fact that they sponsored the championship. Even the TV coverage wasn't really an issue to them. They acted as though it was just a neat way to avoid tax. Certainly if you look at the events VW and Toyota do way more to promote themselves during the events than Sasol did. If you did a poll in the crowd you'd probably find hardly anyone knows that Sasol sponsored the series.

Well I haven't had a MSA licence for many years now and am merely a spectator these days so I can say it - I've known the 2 Richards for many years now and I've only ever known them to have 1 real agenda, the increase of their own wealth. I believe they want to make all the event sponsors pay into MSA's account first and then pay the organising club from there - they did this in off road racing this year and certain clubs are still waiting to see any money at all, some 6 months after the event has happened. Now they don't want to organise the events anymore.

The part that worries me the most is that I feel like it's not broken and they shouldn't be trying to fix it. I hear lots of bleating about costs, but why is the biggest class the one with the most expensive cars? The only reasons the other classes have died off is because the manufacturers are homologating expensive parts that these guys can't afford. I say keep S2000 and drop homologation on the other classes and go back to what we had in the early 90s. 4 classes, A (S2000), B, C, D.

Grant_RSA

3rd December 2010, 11:07

mmm some interesting points you have,

The notes will be interesting, and something else to get used to , it will cut my travelling and away from home time in half, but i must admit the amount of time we spend on the notes does leave you with a sense ease that you have checked and are happy with what you saw. We are one of the teams that spend alot of time on them and believe it has its benefits, the 40 hours.... i know of only 1 team that probably spends that amount of time.

The route director role i believe will be different from the traditional role, i think he will only have the power to request changes to a route is he deems unsuitable and or dangerous,we sometimes rally on roads that off road would cringe at , and are really not suitable for the kind of pace were running at the moment.i must admit though that the roads in general were alot better this year, could also just be the car were in that makes that difference :-) i dont see him taking on the full role of route director for all rounds, especially taking your concerns amongst others into account.

Sasol, well im not sure what to say, maybe rugby is more lucrative, but im sure they made an informed decision.

Dont know enough about your next point to comment.

Apparently some leeway will be given for older S2000's next year to get them back up to speed technology wise, ie "regional homologation" hopefully will grow the class even more, although must admit its a challenge keeping an eye on 18 guys in your class :-/

btw, looking forward to getting back to Natal, we have some unfinished business on those roads :-)

Bruce D

3rd December 2010, 12:13

The idea of creating or at least having a chance to modify your own notes is far better. Gives people a chance to develop their own notes systems rather than been forced into a standard one.

I'd just like to see more manufacturers in rallying here now. If they have a regional homologation which lets them compete with S2000 cars then great, bring it on, things will only get better.

Well hopefully I'll get a chance to go and watch this year as I live much closer to the south coast stages than I did. Looking forward to seeing you guys giving it a go again.

Grant_RSA

8th December 2010, 06:06

Bruce, have you seen the decisions made by technical working group? Looks like nothing changed except the integration of some classes.

Im sad about the slicks.

Bruce D

8th December 2010, 08:13

Yes I've just read them this morning. Slicks are a strange decision as I'd heard that competitors found it just the same amount of money to run slicks as it was to run old gravel tyres. You would have more insight into that than me.

I guess the rule about total tar distance of 30km rules out the possibilty of a all-tar event somewhere along the line, like was mentioned only a few weeks ago. I'm all for a all-tar event but so long as its not a mickey-mouse one like the first day of the Gauteng Rally. Did you guys even get out of 3rd gear? Certainly not from what it looked like on TV.

The 2012 class structure looks logical to me and I'd be interested to see what comes about from the Rallycup class.

The main problem I see here is that there isn't enough stability in the rules. They say it's stable for 2011 and 2012 but already from everything I've heard it sounds like the rules have changed about 6 times in 6 weeks.

I don't see the relevance of the 1.6l turbo engine until such time as local manufacturers actually sell a car with that configuration. To my knowledge the only turbo cars on our roads are the diesel ones and maybe the Volvo T5. On the other hand I watched a video of the new Citroen DS3 WRC testing the other night and it was very impressive to watch. I just remember when Habig went and did those overseas rallies in 94/96 he mentioned how you could just throw turbos at the car like the works teams if you had the money. Do we need that complication and additional expense?

Bruce D

8th December 2010, 08:15

BTW My father spent yesterday watching Charl Wilken testing down the south coast, quite an impressive setup, engineers from MSport and they brought out their own driver to help confirm settings. Sounds like Charl was quite a bit out with settings so he could really be something to watch next season.

Needless to say I was ticked off with him when he phoned me to tell me about it! :D

Grant_RSA

8th December 2010, 14:55

mmmm, interesting,

Rally tyres suck on tar period, i believe its a bad idea, some privateers would use 2nd hand rally tyres at some stage whether is be testing or a short stage somewhere, rally tyres are throw away even after a short stage. I'm not a fan of a tar event , our cars dont have tar homologations, so the Ford has a huge advantage when it comes to setup. I am quite happy with the max 30km, albeit some mickey mouse stage in a parking lot.

Bruce D

9th December 2010, 05:39

Thats true. I mean there are all-tar events and all-tar events if you see what I mean. Playing around Gerotek all day isn't tarmac rallying IMO.

Two things still concern me. 1) Although I see mention of a SA homologation for S2000, there is no mention whether homologation is allowed on the lower classes. Its time for that to be scrapped. Maybe thats what S1600 and S1400 will be in the future.

2) Talk again of "bringing rallying to the people". Sounds like lots of stages in the middle of towns again that gain no real value to the event. Its been tried before, and is not really necessary. The stages have to be close to a town, yes, but not in it. An example was the Scottair Rally last month where the first stage got hundreds of spectators for just a regional event because the stage is very close to Scottburgh. Not to sound too biased here but the only "spectacular" tar spectator stage I've ever seen is Alexander Park at night in Pietermaritzburg. And thats rallying through a park so you can get up to speed, not doing hairpins around haybales all day long.