Off road racing fever gripped Mpumalanga today as teams from around South Africa descended on Lydenburg, where race headquarters are situated, for the Toyota Dealer 1000 which starts tomorrow.
The event is the penultimate round of the Absa Off Road Championship, and could have a major impact on a number of championship issues in both the Production Vehicle and Special Vehicle categories. The race, however, is highly significant in that it is a candidate event for South Africa’s possible inclusion next year on the FIA Cross Country World Championship calendar.
The FIA, the world controlling body for motorsport, has sent an observer to submit a report on the three-day 1000 kilometre event. South Africa’s inclusion in the World Cup will depend on the observer’s report.
“I am confident we will come up to scratch, and the response from competitors has been magnificent,” said chief organiser Willie du Plessis from the South African Motorsport Club. “We have 53 team from around the country and, considering the race was upgraded to a three-day event, the turn out is exceptional.”
The event starts in Lydenburg tomorrow and finishes in the picturesque Mpumalanga town on Saturday.