The unsponsored Mafikeng 500, round six of the Absa Off Road Championship, has been rescued by a dedicated group of sponsors most of whom are also involved in sponsoring teams in the Special and Production Vehicle categories of the championship.
Following the untimely withdrawal of the sponsors of last year’s Oven Fresh Biscuits 500, who had previously made a commitment to back the event this year, the MSA Off Road Car Racing Commission mobilised to secure backing for the Mafikeng Motor Club organised event.
“We are overwhelmed by the response we received from within the off road racing fraternity,” said MSA Off Road Car Racing Commission President, Piet Swanepoel. “Calls to prominent competitors resulted in them or their sponsors agreeing to provide much needed funding for the event.”
“We are grateful to Total who sponsor Atang Makgekgenene and Buks Carolin’s Special Vehicle championship leading Total Jimco, North West Parks and Tourism, O’Hagan’s whose chairman John Weir-Smith won the Special Vehicle category in the Kopanong Hotel Superteam Jimco on the recent Lesotho Sun 400, Atlas Copco who back the two car team of Henry Kirstein and Renier Jooste and Ge’ and Caroline Jooste as well as the Superteam and ATS Motor Sport Supplies / First Prize Trophies whose CEO Richard Leeke co-drives for Hannes Grobler in the Production Vehicle championship leading Proudly South African Nissan Hardbody,” added Swanepoel.
The Mafikeng 500 gets underway with a 35km Prologue to determine starting positions for the main event on Friday, September 24 at 13h00. The main event comprises a 451km figure of eight route with the first car coming under starters orders at 08h00 the following day.
