The Atlas Copco/Chicago Pneumatic Jeep came through the recent Queen Motor Spares Tarka 400, round five of the SA Off Road Championship for Production Vehicles…presented by Absa, with flying colours. –
– The team workshop in Sundra was a hive of activity after the Jeep was severely damaged in a high-speed roll on the Oven Fresh Biscuits 500 in the Mafikeng area. The highly committed team, under the watchful eye of Stratford Voogt, worked long into the nights to straighten the roll cage, fabricate new suspension components and set-up the 5,9 litre V8 powered ‘red monster’ in preparation for the Tarka 400. –
– “All credit must go to father and son Stratford and Dwayne Voogt who went out of their way, as they always have done in the past, to ensure that the Atlas Copco/Chicago Pneumatic Jeep was in ship-shape condition,” said Sandton based Scott Abraham. “I was slightly concussed in the accident and couldn’t put in as much time on the Jeep as I would have liked and am grateful to the Voogt family.” –
– Abraham and Richard Carolin started 49th overall in the combined Production and Special Vehicle field and 24th in the Production Vehicle category after the edge of a donga collapsed under the Jeep during the Prologue, which was then well and truly stuck. –
– “We started 25 minutes behind the leaders and had to contend with thick dust and poor visibility for much of the first lap but Scott and I decided that we would maintain a steady pace on lap one and then pick up the pace a little on lap two,” said Carolin. “I handed the wheel over to Scott at the midway service point, which was the only time we got out of the Jeep during the race, and we went on to finish seventh overall and sixth in Class T behind all the factory entries.” –
– “Having to overtake 42 vehicles was no easy task and required utmost concentration and a measured pace,” added Bedfordview resident Carolin. –
– The Atlas Copco/Chicago Pneumatic Jeep will be in action on the Sun City 400 on September 26 and 27.
