The event will again be based in Lydenburg and with some tight championship situations having developed in both the Production and Special Vehicle categories, the Mpumalanga race could make or break some title hopes. Only one championship has so far been settled with Hendrik and Jan Kraaij (Regent Racing BAT) having clinched Class B in the Special Vehicle category.
“Although the route will have plenty of variety it will be a fair test and will provide crews with the sort of challenges that make for good races,” said South African Motorsport Club (SAM) chief organiser Willie du Plessis. “It will also be spectator friendly and, as usual, there will be plenty of prime viewing points.”
Du Plessis added the race would be made up of three loops that provide interesting contrasts. The race will start in Lydenburg with a short street section and competitors will then head for Roosenkaal and the challenging Steenkampsberg.
This loop will be approximately 130 kilometres in length and will end at the designated service point (DSP) at the Lydenburg Rugby Club. The second loop, also approximately 130 kilometres in length, will be scenic and will take in forest areas in the Long Tom Pass region.
“This section includes the highest point on the route at 2 150 metres above sea level,” du Plessis said. “This loop is dusty and rocky and this year won’t take crews all the way to Sabie.”
Loop two will also end at the DSP and survivors will then head into the Kwena Basin south of Lydenburg. This section of the route has not been used since 2005 when the race was the candidate event for South Africa’s subsequent successful inclusion in the FIA Cross Country World Cup.
The final loop is approximately 110 kilometres in length and will take competitors back to the finish at the Lydenburg Rugby Club. The first cars are expected to arrive at the finish at approximately 15h00.
Documentation and scrutineering will take place on November 2 at race headquarters at Lydenburg Toyota. The prologue to determine start positions for the race proper the next day, will be run from 13h00 with the start and finish at the Lydenburg Rugby Club.
“Lydenburg is within easy distance of major centres in Gauteng and Mpumalanga, and we are expecting a good turnout of off road enthusiasts,” du Plessis said. “With championships at stake it is going to be an interesting weekend.”
