The Kopanong Hotel Superteam is gearing up for the new season and will field a three-car team in the 2005 Absa Off Road Championship.
Lesotho Sun 400 winners John Weir-Smith and Geoff Minnitt will again be in action in the blindingly fast Class A BMW 540 V8 powered Jimco, which has undergone major changes to the chassis to improve the handling and had individual throttle bodies fitted to the engine, which has added some 80bhp.
“Geoff and I have the equipment and the ability to win our fair share of races this season and it is our intention to mount a challenge for the Special Vehicle Championship title, which has eluded us for the past two years,” said a confident Weir-Smith.
Class S contender Nic Goslar plans to return to competition after injuring his spine in an accident during last year’s Sun City 400 and will be campaigning the Raceco Porsche previously raced with great success by Richard ‘Ouboet’ Carolin.
“My back has healed well and my doctor has given me a clean bill of health,” said Goslar. “However, if I experience any discomfort I’ll regretfully have to stop racing.”
Andre Botha will have a new co-driver in the form of Ouboet Carolin with the two sharing driving and navigation duties in the Class T Chev Silverado.
“My business partner and former co-driver Beans Heydenrych has reluctantly stopped racing so I was in somewhat of a quandary until someone suggested I approach Ouboet,” said Botha. “He jumped at the opportunity and we are both looking forward to sharing duties in the cockpit.”
Due to pressure of work Chris Fick and Robert Knight will only compete in selected regional championship races in the Class D Land Rover.
“I have high hopes for the Kopanong Hotel Superteam and believe that we can achieve significant success in every class entered,” added Botha.
The team’s first event will be the Nissan Sugarbelt 400 in KwaZulu Natal on 18 and 19 March.
