2012 South African Rally Championships

[Grant_RSA]

Our 2012 Champs starts in just over a month,

Looks like we will maintain our title of the biggest S2000 field in the world, my predictions are around 21 S2000's. N4's will continue to run in S2000 but i doubt we will see any this year.

The remainder of the championships is made up of S1600 cars , which should be very competitive as well.

[NiekJ]

Hans Weijs Jr will run a "factory" VW Polo S2000 in the championship!

[Mirek]

Is there some official press information?

[mousti]

I can confirm it's true, heard it from two sources from Hans entourage. Mirek do u know they have put a S1.6t engine in those polos to test? That rumour I heard now too.. Although don't know if it's even allowed.

[mousti]

It will be with the Polo S2000 for now :) . Maybe they'll try out also an RRC version.

[Mirek]

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/402112_183960535040758_100002804397433_200858_2443 18239_n.jpg
New car by the way...

[alleskids]

The Polo S2000 is develloped bij VW South Africa and only homologated in South African rally championship?, or is it a hybred Skoda fabia S2000

[tolis]

Presentation...
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/432359_183947428375402_100002804397433_200846_1660 730143_n.jpg

[Grant_RSA]

Team press release -
Volkswagen Motorsport driver line-up and competition classes (http://www.rallyworld.net/index.php/national-rally/78-news/1121-volkswagen-motorsport-driver-line-up-and-competition-classes)

Pics -
BP Volkswagen Polo S2000 (http://www.rallyworld.net/index.php/gallery/view/107)

[Tom206wrc]

Who in the south-african 207 S2000s from Pirtek team :confused:

[Grant_RSA]

There will only be 1 207 this year as far as i know, Hein Lategan will drive.

[Sulland]

Nice Polo, they should give one to Ogier, so he can drive VW and NOT Skoda i WRC!!

[Mirek]

This car is not internationally homologated. New 2.0N/A S2000 cars were allowed for homologation only up to December 2010.

[Bruce D]

There will only be 1 207 this year as far as i know, Hein Lategan will drive.

This is the story I've heard but something popped up on twitter this morning where someone said the second 207 might go to Henk Lategan, Hein's son, who did have a S2000 Polo lined up. We'll only know once the season starts.

[Grant_RSA]

It makes sense to run 2 of the same car out of their workshop, however i think budget will play a big part.. if Henk is in the 207 means he must run S2000 and not the cup,

I am not sure what cost savings there are for the cup class... like you said, lets wait and see, 2 weeks today were rallying.

[Bruce D]

Lots of short bursts of flash-flood-like heavy rain since the weekend, the roads are taking a pounding. Already the 1st stage has a bridge washed away less than 200m into it! Hope they can fix it in time.

[Grant_RSA]

Get your spade out Bruce :D

What usually happens to those roads with a lot of rain?

[Bruce D]

Normally they are fine and can handle the rain well. But this rain is like nothing I've seen. It's bone dry during the day with bright sunshine, then during the night we get sudden downpours of about 60mm in 30min or so. And Sunday I've never seen so much rain fall in such a short time. I spoke to my father last night (he's the route director) and he says the stages are ok, it's only the bridge on Montevideo that's washed away and my understanding of it is that it's right near the beginning of the stage and they could always start the stage from the spectator point about 2km down the road, although that would be a nightmare to organise with how popular that spectator point is.

[Grant_RSA]

Good to know , lets just hope the new qualifying story doesnt see us first on the road :-/

[Bruce D]

Well, to my knowledge the qualifying stage is going to be the run through part of the Durban superspecial, so it's going to be a lottery. My father and I were discussing this the other day. If it's dry you really want to run about 4-6 on the road, if it's wet you want to run about 2-3. It's going to be tricky.

[Grant_RSA]

I see rain predicted for Friday , 25km opening stage to the season, rusty crews , ai carumba, hahahha

[Bruce D]

Not just any 25km, Ellingham. Quite slippery and will rut up a bit for later runners. If it's damp then the roads will tend to be slightly grippier than if bone dry cos the ball-bearing surface disappears, but wet will make it interesting.

[MartijnS]

When is the first rally?

[mousti]

When is the first rally?
Next weekend is the Total Rally :)

[Grant_RSA]

After seeing the dvd on the weekend, roads look good, just some question marks over certain areas that are still being repaired.

I leave for Durban tomorrow night, so will report back after the event.

[Bruce D]

I'm told the bridge I spoke about before is fully repaired, most places should be ok now. No rain predicted for this week so the roads should be fine, but you don't want to run first on them then, on day 1 at least.

[Grant_RSA]

I just saw a worrying weather report showing 56mm on sat..... yr.no (http://www.yr.no) in the past been pretty reliable, lets hope they wrong this time.

[Bruce D]

Oh ok, I saw something which says 13% chance of light rain this morning. I think there is a front coming but nobody is sure how quickly it's getting here.

[Bruce D]

For those of you interested in the data for this event.

Live Timing - MSA Nationall Rally Championship Results Service (http://www.dits.co.za/rallyscoring/)

Itinery for the event (all times GMT +2)

Friday

Start - 11h00
SS1 - Ellingham 1 - 25.62km - 11:58
Service
SS2 - Drumdurroch 1 - 8.87km - 13:45
SS3 - Invernette 1 - 9.02km - 14:05
Service
SS4 - Drumdurroch 2 - 8.87km - 16:03
SS5 - Invernettie 2 - 9.02km - 16:23
Service & Holding Area
SS6 - Durban Super Special 1 -2.96km - 19:33

Saturday

Start - 06:00
SS7 - Ellingham 2 - 25.62km - 07:13
Service
SS8 - Montevideo 1 - 14.12km - 08:30
SS9 - Finningley 1 - 12.40km - 8:59
Service
SS10 - Esperanza 1 - 16.59km - 10:15
SS11 - Isonti 1 - 8.82km - 10:48
Service
SS12 - Montevideo 2 - 14.12km - 11:59
SS13 - Finningley 2 - 12.40km - 12:28
Service
SS14 - Esperanza 2 - 16.59km - 13:44
SS15 - Isonti 2 - 8.82km - 14:17
Service & Holding Area
SS16 - Durban Super Special 2 - 2.96km - 16:33

Entry List
# ENTRANT LIC # DRIVER LIC # CO-DRIVER LIC # MAKE
S2000
1 3 Team Castrol Toyota 6296 Johnny Gemmell 6090 Carolyn Swan Toyota Auris
2 4 BP Volkswagen Racing 6892 Enzo Kuun 6966 Guy Hodgson Volkswagen Polo
3 5 Team Castrol Toyota 6296 Leeroy Poulter 6898 Elvéne Coetzee 6092 Toyota Auris
4 6 Team Sasol Jon Williams 7056 Cobus Vrey 4545 Ford Fiesta
5 7 Basil Read Ford Team 4685 Charl Wilken Greg Godrich Ford Fiesta
6 8 BP Volkswagen Racing 6892 Hergen Fekken 6869 Pierre Arries 6870 Volkswagen Polo
7 10 Team Total JP Damseaux 16870 Grant Martin 16840 Toyota Auris
8 11 BP Volkswagen Racing 6892 Hans Weijs Jnr 16714 Bjorn Degandt 16717 Volkswagen Polo
9 12 Gerhard Snyman 6905 Japie Van Niekerk 1673 Gerhard Snyman 6905 Volkswagen Polo
10 13 Team Total Mohammed Moosa 6547 Andre` Vermeulen 6460 Toyota Auris
11 20 Basil Read Ford Team 4685 Jan Habig 3864 Robert Paisley 2397 Ford Fiesta
12 22 Sebastiaan Klaassen 13929 Sebastiaan Klaassen 4500 Cindi Harding 3075 Ford Fiesta
13 24 Team Sasol Mark Cronje 6152 Robin Houghton 6150 Ford Fiesta
14 27 Johan Van der Merwe 29470 Heinrich Lategan 80735 Johan Van Der Merwe 29470 Peugeot 207
S2000 Challenge
# ENTRANT LIC # DRIVER LIC # CO-DRIVER LIC # MAKE
1 9 Nicolas Ryan Nicolas Ryan 6475 Geoff Tyrer 6207 Volkswagen Polo
2 15 BP Volkswagen Racing 6892 Gugulethu Zulu 7036 Carl Peskin 4117 Volkswagen Polo Vivo
3 17 Wilro Dippenaar 3347 Wilro Dippenaar 3347 Morne Du Toit 15799 Toyota Runx
4 25 Barry White 10514 Henk Lategan 6751 Barry White 10514 Volkswagen Polo
S1600
# ENTRANT LIC # DRIVER LIC # CO-DRIVER LIC # MAKE
1 62 Team Total Craig Trott 6716 Robbie Coetzee 6718 Toyota RunX
2 63 Andy Haigh-Smith 34763 Ashley Haig-Smith 1732 Celeste Snyders 6581 Ford Fiesta R2
3 64 Tjaart Conradie 6853 Tjaart Conradie 6853 Kes Naidoo 3851 Toyota Auris
4 65 Simon Vacy-Lyle 5450 Guy Botterill 6476 Simon Vacy-Lyle 5450 Toyota RunX
5 66 BP Volkswagen Racing 6892 Megan Verlaque 6950 Hilton Auffray 6203 Volkswagen Polo Vivo
6 69 Henry Kohne 3121 Paul Franken 2336 Henry Kohne 3121 Toyota Corolla
7 71 Simon Vacy-Lyle 5450 Matthew Vacy-Lyle 5549 Schalk Van Heerden 6902 Toyota RunX
8 73 Henry Dearlove Jnr 6764 Nicolas V/d Westhuizen 6007 Henry Dearlove Jnr 6764 Ford Fiesta R2
9 74 Team Total Stefanie Botha 6004 Angela Shields 6005 Toyota RunX
10 75 Herman Groenewald 6446 Clint Weston 5885 Herman Groenewald 6446 Citroen C2 R2
11 80 Morne Janse Van Rensburg 4173 Morne Janse Van Rensburg 4175 Rikus Fourie 8414 Volkswagen Polo
12 82 Ralph Lehmann 737 Murray Lloyd 741 Ralph Lehmann 737 Volkswagen Polo
S20
# ENTRANT LIC # DRIVER LIC # CO-DRIVER LIC # MAKE
1 230 Andrew Heine Bryan Heine 2882 Gary Heine Datsun SSS Coupe
2 259 Adeel Ahmed Moosa 17393 Adeel Moosa 17393 Pierre Jordaan 6431 Volkswagen Golf
3 305 Clyde Victor 5440 Clyde Victor 5440 Mark King 5442 Toyota RunX

[focus206]

How many rounds of the championship are in program for Weijs Jr? Is it known?

[Grant_RSA]

From press releases it sounds like all 8 rounds.

[gerardwrm]

spoke Hans Jr last Saturday in Dutch TankS rally

he is really looking forward to his first rally overthere !!

[Bruce D]

Was interested to note in Leon Botha's rally preview Rally Star - For all the latest motorsport news as well as motorsport events - TO SAY OR NOT TO SAY.... (http://www.rallystar.co.za/article/articleview/8349/1/1) that he said that Hans Jr was getting most of the testing with the new car. My father was watching them testing yesterday and said he noticed the same thing. So sounds like preferential treatment already. No wonder Habig left.

[Mirek]

Any quotes from Hans Weijs how does he feel driving RHD?

[Bruce D]

Nothing yet, but is it RHD, because they built a LHD version for Giniel de Villiers last year.

[Bruce D]

Beautiful clear blue sky day today. The qualifying stage has just started now and the main event will get going at 11am local time this morning.

[MartijnS]

Nice 2nd time of Weijs at the 3rd stage.
What happened with the first stage after the Qualifying stage? Were some times, but it got deleted from the results?

[Bruce D]

Sorry could only get on now. Leeroy Poulter in the works Toyota rolled and his car caught fire and set the sugar cane alight. This blocked the route for everyone from 9th on the road onwards so that was why the stage was cancelled. I saw a picture of what was left of the car just now and it's totally burnt out. Luckily the crew are ok. Rumour has it that Cronje also rolled on that stage but continued. At the moment after SS3 Kuun leads by 2.9s from Wilken with JP Damseaux co-driven by our own Grant_SA is 3rd overall, 11.1sec down. Weijs Jnr is currently 7th overall 17.4sec behind Kuun.

[MartijnS]

Thanks for the info!

[Bruce D]

Well according to RallyStar, they spun off the road and stalled., not rolled. While restarting the car it backfired and ignited the sugarcane. Apparently they'll take a long time to build a new car and they will sit out the next event.

[Bruce D]

Confirmed that Cronje did roll on SS1.

[Bruce D]

Ironically Cronje never rolled.

Anyway, after being down in 8th overall after day 1 Cronje fought back to win the Total Rally by 39.3s from Johnny Gemmell in the works Toyota. Third for a long time in the event were Jean-Pierre Damseaux and our own Grant_SA but unfortunately they had a driveshaft fail and puncture on SS13, dropping them down the leaderboard. Nicholas Ryan crashed on SS13 causing a fire which destroyed a large portion of farm. So overall results:

1. Mark Cronje - Ford Fiesta - 2:03:16.6
2. Johnny Gemmell - Toyota Auris - +39.3s
3. Charl Wilken - Ford Fiesta - +1:37.2
4. Jan Habig - Ford Fiesta - +1:51.5
5. Enzo Kuun - VW Polo - +2:01.9
6. Hans Weijs Jnr - VW Polo - +3:08.6
7. Jean-Pierre Damseaux - Toyota Auris - +4:17.6
8. Mohammed Moosa - Toyota Auris - +6:09.6
9. Jon Williams - Ford Fiesta - +6:43.7
10. Wilro Dippenaar - Toyota Auris - +6:55.7

[Grant_RSA]

Hi all,

Event went well for us, particularly on friday, sadly some issues on saturday had us drop down the leader board.... for a first time out as a new team i am very happy and confident it will get even better from here.

[Bruce D]

Grant, caught this shot of you guys on Saturday. :D

http://i43.tinypic.com/1g2ctt.jpg

[mousti]

Ironically Cronje never rolled.


I think Hans Weijs Jr has rolled :D https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=275173059228509&set=a.181134701965679.47661.181112608634555&type=1&theater (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/303348_275173059228509_181112608634555_673728_6972 38214_n.jpg)

[Grant_RSA]

Thanks Bruce, seems we were going slowly enough to catch :D

Mousti, he did leave quite a bit of body work behind... but didnt roll.

[mousti]

Then he must some sort of a spin where he touched something with the rear and front, luckily no damage on engine or radiator

[bluuford]

I think Hans Weijs Jr has rolled :D https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=275173059228509&set=a.181134701965679.47661.181112608634555&type=1&theater (https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/303348_275173059228509_181112608634555_673728_6972 38214_n.jpg)

I didn't know that VW is producing sugar cane harvesters? :-P

[Bruce D]

Thanks Bruce, seems we were going slowly enough to catch :D

You have no idea! With so many spectators at the spot it was very hard to get a clear shot so you had this little area to work with. It was just a case of timing really. Fortunately you guys looked committed! ;)

[Grant_RSA]

Bruce, thats good news, nothing worse than looking pedestrian...

I think it was a very good event, Total put on a good show.

[Bruce D]

Ironically that was my problem with Cronje, every photo I have of him looks pedestrian yet he was winning the event! I tell you one thing though, Wilken was very messy through the first 2 stages on Saturday.

[Grant_RSA]

Road sweeping was a major issue, we were 4th most of the day and can tell you it was still very slippy,

Mark had an ideal road position for saturday.

[Bruce D]

Definately. Wilken was just caught out on Friday and then tried to hard to start with. A good recovery.

[vino_93]

where can I find pictures ? :)

[Bruce D]

Rallyworld.net (http://www.rallyworld.net) is a good place to start.
Welcome to SportsPics (http://www.sportpics.co.za)
motorpics - Digital, Photo , Motor , Racing , Sport , Rally , Off-road, Model , Release , Media , South Africa, Danie van Jaarsveld (http://www.motorpics.co.za)

[vino_93]

thx !

[vino_93]

Are the S2000 Challenge old S2000 cars or something other ?

[Bruce D]

Yes, I don't know the exact age limit, Grant would know, but it is for older cars. The RunX model was built in 2005 originally and replaced in 2009, the old Polo model, although facelifted in 2011 is still the basic car from 2006 I understand.

[Grant_RSA]

Bruce is 100% correct, 1st generation s2000 cars, some extra cost savings like less tyres, entry fees are slightly less, but essentially a challenge car driven properly has every chance of winning an event as the newer cars.

The runX is a perfect example of this, the car is light and nimble, and with the suspension improvements made from last year , in the right hands could give the front runners a good run for their money.

[Mirek]

Grant, what are the main technical differences between RunX and Auris besides bodyshell and wider track? Is it a significant evolution?

[Bruce D]

There was quite a difference in the rear suspension to start with. I know the original versions had a pogostick effect over jumps, causing both Serge Damseaux and Etienne Lourens to have massive accidents.

[Grant_RSA]

i don't have all the technical details, but there was massive development on suspension of the Auris especially, move to Reiger dampers, alot more travel.

There were a number of engine upgrades as well, which were brought into the RunX as well once they started with the regional homologation.

I am sure there are a lot more than i am mentioning, but it gives an idea.

[Mirek]

Thanks both.

[andre93]

do someone know the chassis number of Habig Fiesta s2000 used in Total rally(PX 61 AXB)??
thank's

[Grant_RSA]

Very sad entry from the FIA African Championship competitors for the Sasol Rally.

2 entries is really not on, not sure if the championship should hold that status if competitors aernt willing to travel to probably the best event they will have all year.

[Bruce D]

Well it's been a joke of a series for many years now, hasn't it. I mean the last competitive champion was Johnny Gemmell back in 2002 if I remember correctly. Certainly none of the champions have ever held a candle to our guys in equal or better machinery.

I believe there is some sort of nomination system for the ARC now so that has kept people away. They say it's an expensive event but I would have thought all the rounds were expensive in this series compared to a European series.

[Grant_RSA]

I leave tomorrow morning for Sabie, Recce starts wed morning,

From the DVD the roads look the best i have ever seen on this event, The local forestery company has gone to alot of trouble to improve them. The rally is no longer a car breaker, so its going to be a balls to the wall thing from start to finish.

[Bruce D]

Will be interesting to see what people do about running order. Won't be as critical on this event.

[EightGear]

Rally Scoring Service Live Updates (http://www.dits.co.za/rallyscoring/SA2012Rd2LiveUpdate.htm)

[Bruce D]

Yes, and the live scoring is doing well this event, very up to date so keep watching it.

So far Charl Wilken, Leeroy Poulter, Enzo Kuun and Hergen Fekken have all suffered punctures. Mark Cronje and Johnny Gemmell are having a big fight for the lead, and now they head to the tar stages this evening with Cronje 13.2sec ahead.

[Grant_RSA]

"Rumours" of a WRC candidate rally in KZN in August,

Bruce , do you know anything more?

[Bruce D]

I knew lots ages ago, just wasn't allowed to say anything! ;)

Yes there is a candidate event, it will be run in the forest area of Richmond this time but the proposed WRC event will be one day each on the north and south coast sugarcane fields and the forest stages. 3 times WRC champion Seppo Harjanne has already been here as mentioned in the press, he was actually here the week after the Total Rally and looked at those stages. Michelle Mouton is also supposed to be out soon to look at stuff. My father got a phone call back in Feb to do this event. I was also a bit cheeses that he spent the whole day with Seppo and only told me when he got home!

However I have spoken about this in another section of this forum and it seems the response has been very negative towards it, as has some comments on Facebook. Seems that even the locals don't want the event. Very sad situation.

[Grant_RSA]

Lets hope after the candidate event it will change some minds, i didnt get to do alot of the Zulu rally years back, but if its the same roads they should be good.

[Bruce D]

Nope, totally different roads and much better. If you'd been around during the late 90's you'd know them cos they were used on the Mintex Rally, part of the KZN championship, but it was the last event of the year and we used to get Serge and Jan coming to it, etc. Used to be like a 1-day national then.

[Grant_RSA]

Sorry, re-read your post after i sent mine and realised i missed the area you mentioned.

As long as they are good challenging roads im happy, the looming Gauteng mielie fields dont grab me to much unfortunately.

[Grant_RSA]

Round 3, Toyota Gauteng Dealer rally on 9th and 10th of June, not the most exciting event, alot of straights and not alot else,

[Bruce D]

Yes, and how are they dealing with this whole short-cutting nonsense this year? I hope they're not putting old cars at each corner like it was suggested before?

[Grant_RSA]

Will let you know when we get there, we have been told some surprises, so who knows.

Most likely "gates" will be erected with a judge of fact at each possible place.... hoping that bull @$%^ is a thing of the past.

[Bruce D]

Indeed, we don't need another event like that again.

[Barreis]

I knew lots ages ago, just wasn't allowed to say anything! ;)

Yes there is a candidate event, it will be run in the forest area of Richmond this time but the proposed WRC event will be one day each on the north and south coast sugarcane fields and the forest stages. 3 times WRC champion Seppo Harjanne has already been here as mentioned in the press, he was actually here the week after the Total Rally and looked at those stages. Michelle Mouton is also supposed to be out soon to look at stuff. My father got a phone call back in Feb to do this event. I was also a bit cheeses that he spent the whole day with Seppo and only told me when he got home!

However I have spoken about this in another section of this forum and it seems the response has been very negative towards it, as has some comments on Facebook. Seems that even the locals don't want the event. Very sad situation.

Not at all negative. If can not be Kenya Safari ('cos we are all big fans), RSA is also very good choice.

[bluuford]

I just noticed that Visser du Plessis is selling his S2000 Pug in SA. With the cheapest price I have ever seen. He says that he stops rally.
Welcome on www.rallycarsforsale.net (http://www.rallycarsforsale.net/)

[Bruce D]

@bluuford - yes he retired due to costs and politics. His car has been for sale for a while now.

@Barreis - unfortunately there are a lot of South Africans who don't seem to want this event. They are all badly misinformed about this one and so presume its the "same old same old" rather than people trying something new.

[Barreis]

RSA shoud have a shot.

[bluuford]

@bluuford - yes he retired due to costs and politics. His car has been for sale for a while now.

Thank you for your reply.

[Grant_RSA]

Toyota Gauteng Dealer rally this past weekend, got my first podium :-)

1. Jon Williams/Kobus Vrey Ford Fiesta S2000
2. Hein Lategan/Johan van der Merwe Peugoet 207 S2000
3. JP Damseaux/Grant Martin Toyota Auris S2000

Event had a number of casualties on SS1 where they got punctures , was a lot more challenging than in recent years.

[Bruce D]

Awesome result Grant, pity you guys lost second on the last stage, but then again Heinrich has more recent tar racing experience.

[Mirek]

Toyota Gauteng Dealer rally this past weekend, got my first podium :-)

1. Jon Williams/Kobus Vrey Ford Fiesta S2000
2. Hein Lategan/Johan van der Merwe Peugoet 207 S2000
3. JP Damseaux/Grant Martin Toyota Auris S2000

Event had a number of casualties on SS1 where they got punctures , was a lot more challenging than in recent years.

Congratulations ;)

[Grant_RSA]

thanks guys,

Yes Bruce, Hein pulled a stonker out of the hat on the 2nd last stage, was really tricky situation as it was a repeat of stage 1, he took the risk and attacked and it paid off for him, could easily have gone the other way. The Peugeot is definitely a lot better suited to Tar even in gravel trim, at the end of the day, 11.9 sec between 1st and 3rd is pretty close.

[Grant_RSA]

VW Rally in Port Elizabeth this weekend,

The Roads look fantastic, however alot of rain is predicted which may bring along some interesting scenarios.

[OldF]

First day of the South African WRC candidate rally RALLY South Africa: Home (http://www.rallysa.co.za/). Itinerary and maps under Spectator menu.

Are any of the national championship rallies using the same stages or areas?

[EightGear]

If I'm not mistaken, it is in the area of the Total Rally. Not sure though.

[Bruce D]

These roads haven't been used for any rallies since the last Rally of SA in 2007. If we get a WRC version then we'll use the roads used on the Total Rally as the third day. Unfortunately it means this event will also have very few spectators as it's all in rural areas that are not considered safe.

[Bruce D]

I must admit the crazy thing about this event is that many people say stage 2 & 3 are very bad ideas and the rally shouldn't be running in the area. Can't say I disagree with them, and have to worry that everyone survives through those 2 stages. My father is the "route director" (I say that in "s because he was actually just shown the route and told to draw the road book, rather than have a say in the event) and he has told me that if you go off the mountain on any of those stages you will not be recovering the car with anything other than a helicopter, if you survive the crash. :s

[Bruce D]

Off to a brilliant start. Due to using mobile phone technology to transmit timing data, the stage 1 results are delayed by well over an hour and stage 2 has been cancelled for unknown reasons at this stage.

[Bruce D]

SS2 & 3 cancelled due to number of taxis and buses in the stage.

[OldF]

Doesn’t look good for a WRC candidate rally. How in he** have busses and taxis got to the stages. Aren’t the stages closed properly?

[Bruce D]

You've got no real chance of stopping them in the rural areas, it's their homes and they want to move around. SS3 is actually running now, Poulter and Damseaux have gone off the road which is a bit worrying because this was the dangerous stage that many said shouldn't be run because of the drops off the mountain side.

[tolis]

It seems a disaster so far

[Barreis]

Just watched Habig's times from Walles, pretty destroyed.

[Grant_RSA]

Final round of our championships happening in just under 2 weeks in Knysna Western Cape.

We have had massive rains over the last while so looking to be a tricky event on narrow forest roads.

Championship is still up for grabs, both Johnny Gemmel/ Carolyn Swann Castrol Toyota and Mark Cronje/Robin Houghton Sasol Ford have a chance to grab the title with a number of scenarios that could play out.

Personally we will be pushing to secure 5th in my championship and JP just 2 points behind 5th and Charl Wilken still to drop his worst result.

[EightGear]

Last round this weekend. Weijs hit trouble again on SS3 after being fastest in SS1. Lost more than 1,5 minutes.

Now he's back to 5th overall after 2 fastest stagetimes on SS4 and SS5 with a 21- and 17.2 second margin. :D

http://www.dits.co.za/rallyscoring/SouthAfricaNov2012FiaProgr0SSE_5.htm

[EightGear]

Weijs won his first rally in South Africa and also VW's first win of the season. Despite the big loss on SS3. :)

VW's Weijs and Degandt win Garden Route Rally - 03/11/2012 : sarallying (http://www.sarallying.co.za/?d=10&k=25480&frm=1053)

[Grant_RSA]

Hans and Bjorn were fantastically fast this weekend and deserved the win, hopefully a good warm up for next weekend in Spain.

[vino_93]

hi south african friends ! I'd like to know if there are some drivers who run with S2000 cars in Regional Rallies ? For example I see Michael Otto with Corolla or Willie van Straaten with Fiesta, both in S4 category. Are these cars S2000 ? Or is the right category for these models in S2000 S5 ?
thx in advance :)

[Grant_RSA]

Hi Vino_93

The cars you mentioned are not S2000's , the Corolla is an old A7 spec car and the Fiesta was originally an N3 spec car. Toyota uses different names for some of their models in SA, the corolla in question is a sedan, and an older version which was very successful for many years. An older spec s2000 would be the RunX (Corolla in Europe etc)

There are no regular S2000 competitors in regional rallying, the odd national competitor may use one of these events as a practice but do not score points and generally "withdraw" before the official results are posted in order to not influence the regional championships in any way.

[vino_93]

hi,
thank you Grant ;) So all your S2000 are used in your national championship, that's nice !
Do you know where are the 207 S2000's from Pirtek are now ? One is still used by Lategan, but where is the other ?

[Grant_RSA]

Hi Vino,

As far as i know the 2nd Pirtek car was for sale, was mentioned earlier in this thread but i am not sure of what the status of that is.

Rumours are Hein Lategan will not continue next year to concentrate on his sons efforts, however that is only a rumour, not sure if Hein has made up his mind 100%

[vino_93]

thx :)

and do you know who will go to the Tara Rally in Namibia ? Just see that Sebastian Klaasen is on the entry list :) Will you go there you ?

[Grant_RSA]

No we wont be going this year.

My driver has made the trip a number of times and it is quite an effort getting through the border to Namibia so we decided to give it a skip.

I finished 3rd overall last year, quite an adventure :-)

[Grant_RSA]

Thus far only Sebastian that i am aware of.

[ettelbruck]

As a part of our great 3wks holiday we were spectating Garden Route Rally 2nd day, stages 6 and 11. What a nice experience! Pity that Guy Botterill had to give up already on Friday, but I was great to have such a nice conversation with him and hear lot of comments about the rallies and drivers of South Africa.
We were lucky to meet also many other nice persons spectating on those stages, thank you! Have to be back some day!

[Grant_RSA]

Ettelbruck i am very glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself. Always great to hear the perspective of someone from outside our borders to know that we are on the right track.

It was best and successful event.I have seen its video.This was very cool.

It was best and successful event.I have seen its video.This was very cool.
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