The Sasol Rally 2004, from 17 to 19 June in Mpumalanga, is set to be one of the biggest revved-up raves in the forests around Sabie, Graskop, White River and Nelspruit and in the skies above the Lowveld, with the Sasol Tigers Aerobatic jet team adding more spice than ever before. –
– This, the 13th running of the “Sasol” by SA Motorsport Club (SAM), and also the fourth round of the Sasol SA Rally Championship 2004, is being designed by Sasol to provide maximum entertainment for rally and “air show” enthusiasts alike, so this year’s event is expected to draw even more than the estimated 30 000 spectators, from Mpumalanga and all over the country, who witnessed the 2003 festival of top forest and tar racing, plus all the family-orientated side attractions. –
– Just under 70 competitors began then – from the traditional start venue in the centre of Sabie, again the “kick off” location this year at approximately 11h00 on the Friday (18 June). –
– Besides special stages in the (best rallying roads in South Africa) forests around the core towns, SAM are busy finalising the appropriate (and safe) spectator stages for which the Sasol Rally has become famous and hugely popular over the last decade. –
– The route will be confirmed by early May, at which time the venue for the Thursday (17 June) afternoon/evening “Sasol Performance Playground” (entertainment, chance to meet the teams, refreshments) and the Saturday afternoon grand finale will be announced. –
– Both these events, to be held in Nelspruit, as well as the Graskop components of the rally will feature air displays or air shows by the Sasol Tigers aerobatic team, the only jet aerial display outfit in Africa. –
– The four L-29 fighter/trainer aircraft, piloted by South Africa’s top commercial, former SAAF fighter aces and private pilots, recently thrilled 20 000 enthusiasts at the Rand Airport Extravaganza, Maputo Airshow and the 58 000-strong crowd at the Moto GP race at Phakisa Freeway, Welkom. –
– So, Sasol Rally 2004 is set to be an audio orgasm of high-revving rally cars and thundering jets, supplemented by a festival atmosphere, memorabilia and much more. –
– As accommodation is always at a premium over the rally weekend, fans are advised to make their bookings early. Visit www.tripssa.co.za for a wide variety of special deals-
– Stay in touch with all the breaking news on the event by visiting www.sasolracing.co.za or calling the Sasol Racing Hotline – 08 22 33 4321. –
– For photographic images of competing cars and drivers in the Sasol SA Rally Championship 2004 go to www.motopics.co.za-
– For more news on the Sasol Tigers team and air show schedule visit www.airshow.co.za. Images of the aircraft in action are also available from Frans Dely ([email protected]). –
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