Fighting back and regaining the initiative is the primary thing on the minds of the Sasol Volkswagen Rally Team, led by defending champion Jan Habig and teammate Enzo Kuun. After two rounds Team Sasol Golf are standing on equal terms with Team Castrol Toyota RunX at one victory apiece. –
– Jan Habig and co-driver Douglas Judd in their #1 Sasol DualFuel Golf annexed the Tour Natal Rally in March, with Serge Damseaux winning at the Total Rally a month later, Kuun finishing second while Habig retired on the last stage. With the championship likely to run closer than it ever had, fighting back has become the sole and most important mission at Volkswagen Racing’s Neave workshop, ahead of this weekend’s (30 – 31 May) Toyota Dealer Cape Rally, the 3rd round of the Sasol DualFuel S.A. Rally Championship 2003. –
– The team’s technical staff says all the mechanical maladies that dogged the entire team last time have been dealt with, with only the testing still to happen this weekend. Engine testing results have shown tremendous promise, and the reliability of that promise will come through when Habig and Kuun put their cars through a rigorous testing session before the event. –
– For their part, Habig and Kuun are looking forward to what is always a well-attended and often spectacular event. Not lost to them is also the fact that the rally is run in Damseaux’s own backyard, the Western Cape something that should count in his favour compared to many other competitors. –
– “Serge is undoubtedly a very strong contender, but Etienne Lourens in his Corolla and the Subaru attack cannot be discounted. The past rally showed that anything can happen and there is absolutely no room for complacency especially when the championship is this close. Reliability will be the key for all competitors as the attrition rate tends to be quite high,” said Habig. –
– “Guy and I have not tasted victory this year, but that chance may come in the Western Cape. Past history has indicated that one needs a bit of luck to go all the way, and we hope that will be on our side as well,” added Kuun. –
– Hergen Fekken and Tjaart van der Walt’s Sasol DualFuel Polo Playas have undergone a thorough engine makeover after the problems of last month. “A clean run will give us a better shot at winning, something we look forward to as Class A7 could turn out to be the most exciting this season. All the guys are fast and committed, and we have to be right on the pace,” said van der Walt. –
– The Sasol Volkswagen Junior Team of Nkosinathi Nzimande and Gugulethu Zulu in Class A5 Citi Chicos is also raring to go, with Nzimande keen to consolidate his position in the class standings. Zulu had to retire early on Day Two at the Total Rally, with Uwe Koch standing in as navigator for Dave McGregor, who was committed elsewhere. “We have to raise our game this time as I would like to go for the class title this season. With Dave being back in the hot seat with me, I will be a lot more assured in my driving and only bad luck will prevent us from doing well,” said the dredlocked Zulu. –
– Nzimande and navigator Meyiwa have been improving with every rally, and it should come as no surprise at all if they score a memorable class victory, after finishing 4th in class here last year. –
– For photographic go to: www.motorpics.co.za For all the latest news on the Sasol Volkswagen Rally Team go to: www.sasolmotorsport.co.za, www.cartoday.com or www.vw.co.za
