Gauteng locals Christian du Plooy and Henk Janse van Vuuren achieved their maiden win in the Production Vehicle formula of the National off-road championship at fifth round of the season, the Sun City 400, over the weekend.
The RFS BMW X3 duo also won the Donaldson Prologue beforehand, which determined field position for the main event – in which du Plooy and Janse van Vuuren finished a little more than two minutes ahead of their closest threat. Try as they might, Team Castrol Toyota’s Anthony Taylor and Chris Birkin couldn’t chase down the leaders, and settled for second position.
It is an awesome feeling. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it was a trouble free weekend for us,” said du Plooy after the race.
Ruwacon Ford Ranger pair Louw de Bruin and Riaan Greyling also managed their first Production Vehicle podium finish by snatching third place. Championship leaders Duncan Vos and Rob Howie, in the other Team Castrol Toyota Hilux, were penalised 15 minutes for a service park transgression, which dropped them to seventh place.
Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst (Ford Racing Ranger) benefitted from the from the Vos/Howie penalty and finished fourth, with Pikkie Labuschagne and Rikus Erasmus (Ruwacon Toyota Hilux) rounding off the top five.
The next round of the championship is the 4×4 Mega World 400 at Carnival City on August 31 and September 1.
Driver's championship standings
1. Duncan Vos – 98,5 points
2. Anthony Taylor – 65,5
3. Chris Visser – 58
4. Christiaan du Plooy – 44,5
5. Hannes Grobler – 36
6. Lance Woolridge – 35,5
7. Terence Marsh – 31,5
8. Cliff Weichelt – 26
Manufacturer's championship standings
1. Toyota – 379 points
2. Ford – 130
3. Nissan – 91
4. BMW – 88
5. Land Rover – 4
