Both Castrol Toyota Hilux entries running in the Super Production Class in the Production Vehicle category were forced to retire from the race. Bevan Bertholdt and Robin Houghton, who set the fastest time in the Prologue, were the first to retire with a broken front shock absorber.
“The prologue result gave us plenty of confidence and dropping out of the race was a major blow,” said Bertholdt. “The potential is there but we have had a string of bad luck this season.”
A similar front suspension problem also sidelined Mark Cronje and Chris Birkin in the second factory Castrol Toyota Hilux. For Cronje and Birkin it was particularly disappointing in that the pair were leading the unofficial African Heritage Rally standings after two days, and had worked their way into third place on the national event.
“We were flying and looking at a great result for the team,” said a disappointed Cronje. “All we can do is learn from every race and try for a good result in the next event.”
Once again, however, Toyota factory assisted teams and privateers came up trumps. Toyota Hilux entries dominated Class D where they came up with a top three whitewash, and also produced good results in Class E.
Reigning Class E champions Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst, in the Tyco Trucks Toyota Hilux, led the Class D charge with fifth place overall. They were closely followed by former Class E champions Jaap and Hugo de Bruyn, in the Castrol Toyota Hilux, with Cliff and Louis Weichelt third in the Bosal Toyota Hilux.
Jannie Visser, brother of Chris, and Joks le Roux led the Toyota Hilux brigade in Class E. They came in second in class and were followed by former circuit racer Fabio Tafani and Mike Baron in the Club Refrigeration Toyota Hilux, and George and Sharon Barkhuizen in the Ruwacon Toyota Hilux.
