Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton (Ford Fiesta S2000) look set to successfully defend their 2013 title by claiming victory – their fifth this year and the third in succession – at the Cape Rally this past weekend.
The rally was a high-speed event on Friday with the cars flying through the dusty stages, with engines bouncing off the limiters for long periods of time. As per usual, the ardent Cape Rally fans came out in their droves to support the national championship, braving the cold and blustery conditions that changed after day one to rain, making matters tricky underfoot for cars and spectators alike.
Out on the road, the Ford mounted pair didn’t have it their own way as the they were challenged all the way by the works Toyota Yarises of Johnny Gemmell/Carolyn and Leroy Poulter/Elvene Coetzee, who would succumb to a blown engine very late into the event. The man most likely to challenge for title, Jannie Habig was out of contention early on the first day.
Cronje/Houghton were declared winners by a mere 1,8 seconds over of Gemmell. Volkswagen’s Polo S2000 of Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries took the remaining position on the podium.
“It’s fantastic – another very good rally for us,” grinned Cronje. “We’ve extended our advantage in the championship, albeit now with a different person leading the chase. Once again the team worked well together on every level and I always had a good car under me. With only two rounds remaining and with the kind of advantage we now have, it is safe to say we’re firmly in the driving seat as the championship heads into its final phase,” Cronje concluded.
In the S2000 Challenge Class for slightly older machinery Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Hilton Auffray brought their Toyota Auris home in an excellent fourth overall and first in class. They were followed home by the VW Polo of Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin, who fought back hard after a puncture on the very first stage dropped them to 23rd overall. They managed to get up to fifth overall when the event ended. Piet Bakkes/Johan Aucamp in another Auris were third in the challenge class.
The penultimate round of the SA National Rally championship, the Polokwane Rally, will take place on 19 and 20 October in Limpopo.
