It is said that the Western Cape has some of the most ardent rally fans. Having watched several rallies in this part of the world, I tend to agree. Well, lovers of high-speed dirt antics will be well entertained this weekend when the National Rally Championship heads to Cape Town.
The Toyota Dealer Rally takes place just north of the Mother City on Friday and Saturday (13 and 14 September). Brackenfell High School is the event’s headquarters and service park. The first of 10 special stages gets underway at 11h35 at the nearby Cape Gate mall. Five stages take place on Friday with a further five on Saturday. Total stage distance is 172,2 km, with 106,7 km of that taking place on the second day.
For more info and a full spectator guide, visit www.toyota.co.za/topics/motorsport
2012 champions Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton arrive in the Western Cape with a useful 25 points advantage. They’re the form team at the moment and have won four of the five events so far this year.
Hoping to spoil their party will the works Toyota outfit. The team has no fewer than three top crews (Johnny Gemmell and Carolyn Swan, Leeroy Poulter and Elvéne Coetzee and Giniel de Villiers and Greg Godrich) aboard the S2000 Yaris with which to challenge for top honours.
Volkswagen will also want to take a much-needed win and also field several strong crews in the race Polos. Among its driving strengths are the quick pair of Henk Lategan and Barry White, former title winners Enzo Kuun and Douglas Judd and Hergen Fekken and Pierre Arries.
No less exciting than the top-flight battle is the S2000 Challenge class for slightly older S2000 machinery. All the manufacturers are represented in this category as well.