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I think many were waiting to see what kind of strides Toyota had made in the offseason before commiting to buying a new car, was quite surprised to read it myself.
The Fords may struggle a bit on this really fast event, their long ratio boxes are about as long as our long boxes, so they may loose out a bit on top end.
Would be interesting to see if it has all the latest works kit on it though, but I'm sure Serge would pull a few strings. ;)
I've got my doubts about the high-speed stability of the Fords as well so it may not be their event.
Just saw what i wrote, let me re-phrase,
the Ford long ratio boxes are close to the same as our short ratio boxes.
I thought that was what you meant but then I wasn't so sure. The thing is do you risk changing to the long ratio box for lack of acceleration over gaining maybe a few km/h in a few places.
Few places is major understatement, there are LOTS of very long straights. like alot of see 1300
I'm not a fan of rallies like that. Doesn't prove much besides who has the longest gear ratios and the best brakes.
About the only chance I'll have to keep everyone updated here but after SS2 Conrad Rautenbach (Ford) leads by 0.7s from Charl Wilken (Ford), 3rd Habig (VW) +4.4s, 4th Cronje (Ford) +6.8s, 5th Poulter (Toyota) +6.9s, 6th Williams (Ford) +8.5s, 7th Fekken (VW) +9.8s, 8th Gemmell (Toyota) +9.9s, 9th Damseaux (Toyota) +10.2s, 10th de Villiers (VW) +10.7s
No room for mistakes here so far!
Wilken led overnight but then Day 2 saw a epic battle between him, Rautenbach and Gemmell. Rautenbach took the lead with 1 stage to go but Wilken couldn't get it back in time and lost the rally by 2.5s! Gemmell lost time near the end with a overshoot which cost him 30sec and dropped him to 4th, although he fought back to 3rd in the end. I'll post points later.
FINAL RESULTS
1. Conrad Rauntenbach - Ford - 1:37:01.5
2. Charl Wilken - Ford - 1:37:04.0
3. Johnny Gemmell - Toyota - 1:37:36.7
4. Jan Habig - VW - 1:37:47.0
5. Hergen Fekken - VW - 1:37:52.5
6. Jon Williams - Ford - 1:38:19.3
7. Giniel de Villiers - VW - 1:38:22.6
8. Mark Cronje - Ford - 1:38:46.9
9. Enzo Kuun - VW - 1:39.30.5
10. Nicholas Ryan - VW - 1:40:04.1
12th overall after clutch trouble on day 1 were Mohammed Moosa / Grant_SA.
Well guess i was totally wrong about the Fords :-/
Clutch on day 1, a wrong slot , no brakes for 2 stages and a broken drive shaft on day 2, not our most stellar performance ever.
Please keep photographer Deon van der Merwe in your prayers, he was hit in SS6 by a rally car and last i heard is in ICU.
Got an update on Deon this morning, critical condition, was put in an induced coma at the scene of the accident and the doctors can't operate on his head injuries until the swelling goes down. Sounds very bad at this stage.