With spectator numbers and sponsorship deals dwindling in national motorsport, Leon Botha, from the Rallystar facility in Bapsfontein has proposed the local introduction of an exciting formula that is making waves and attracting large audiences abroad – Rallycross. Planning is still in the initial stages though, and interested parties are asked to contact Botha.
Those who are familiar with the formula will no doubt have seen clips on YouTube or watched events that form part of the annual X Games (an extreme sports championship held in North America, Asia and Europe. Current and former regular competitors include DC Shoe Co. owner and YouTube sensation Ken Block, all-round motorsport hero in the US, Travis Pastrana, former World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm, current and nine-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb, as well as drifting hero and Pikes Peak regular Rhys Millen.
Botha, CEO of Rallystar, admits that while it would be exciting to have a class that uses the same 400 kW cars that are used abroad such as Subaru STIs and all-wheel drive Ford Fiestas, there is also a suggestion that for a smaller “entry-level” class, interested parties use small-capacity, four-cylinder forced-induction engines like Volkswagen’s 1,4 TSI or Toyota’s supercharged 1 600 4A-GE. One of the ideas put forward is a price cap of R200 000 per competing car.
Another suggestion is that an owner be obliged to sell a car for a predetermined amount (e.g. R50 000) to a would-be or fellow competitor if offered the amount for his/her car – on condition that the buyer enters the car for the following race or races. This will ensure that the cars competing are not overly developed for that class.
The proposed dates for a 2013 calendar of events are:
09 February; 13 April; 20 July; 24 August; 28 September; 30 November
An association that will see to regulating, seeking sponsorship and promoting Rallycross will soon be set up, but once again, interested parties are asked to send their suggestions and ideas about events, rules and regulations, cost-effective measures and classes are asked to contact Botha immediately.
You can contact Leon Botha at [email protected]
Click here to watch the Rallycross final of this year’s X Games, held in Los Angeles
