A varied and “typical bushveld” route is going to test to the full competitors on the Ford Motorite 400, round six of the Absa Off Road Championship, in Limpopo on September 7 and 8.
The event headquarters will be at the Meropa Casino and Entertainment World in Polokwane where documentation and scrutineering will take place on the morning of September 7. Later in the day a 50 kilometre prologue will be run to determine start positions for the Ford Motorite 400.
According to Willie Prinsloo, the chief organiser from the Koepel Club, about 75 percent of the race route is new. The entire prologue route is new and has never before been used.
“It is a typical bushveld route and is going to be an interesting challenge for both the Production and Special Vehicles,” said Willie. “We have placed an emphasis on variety and there are fast sections combined with gulleys, washouts and riverbeds.
“While we want to provide competitors with a fair challenge, we have also designed the route to be spectator friendly. There are plenty of good viewing points along the Matlala road and one three kilometer section, adjacent to the Meropa Casino, will provide for some spectacular action.”
Good news for competitors is that the route will be made up of two loops of around 200 kilometres. This helps reduce the route being churned up and making conditions more difficult as the race progresses.
The race will begin at 08h00 on September 8 with the start and designated service point at the Meropa Casino and Entertainment World. This gives spectators plenty of opportunities to see the cars before, during and after the race.
The race has generated plenty of interest in Limpopo with all competitors, including the du Plessis brothers and Naeem Moosajee, based in Polokwane. With Polokwane also within easy reach of Johannesburg, Pretoria and other Gauteng locations, the organisers are expecting good crowds.
“The Meropa Casino and Entertainment World is a stunning venue and Limpopo Province provides some of the best off road territory in South Africa,” Willie said. “These factors, combined with tight championship positions, should provide for a great event.”