Ford and its largest dealer, Lazarus Motor Company, will be including some real toughies in their entries for this year’s Total Economy Run.
Ford and its largest dealer Lazarus Motor Company will be including some real toughies in their entries for this year’s Total Economy Run.
They are fielding two teams of well-known South African Gladiators in the nine-vehicle line-up.
"We’re using the toughest participants for one of the most exciting events on our calendar," says Lazarus Motor Company MD Colin Lazarus. "The Gladiators are people we respect for their ability to cope with challenging situations. When these traits are combined with ultra-reliable and economical Ford vehicles, they will present many of the well-seasoned entrants with formidable competition."
Competing in Class K in a Ford Ranger 2,5TD Double Cab One will be Garth Collins (also known as Granite), backed by co-driver Wayne Price (aka The Boss) and observer Linda Collins (wife of Garth Collins).
The second Gladiator team entered is one of only three women’s teams participating in the event. It consists of Tammy Baker (aka Fox), co-driver Dawn Coetzee and observer Michelle Price (wife of Wayne Price). They will compete in Class E in a Ford Focus 2,0.
The objective of the Total Economy Run is to show the fuel economy capabilities of well-maintained and skilfully driven modern vehicles in varying conditions over a representative selection of major South African roads.
Fox has been given special driver training by veteran racer Collin Burford, who also works and races for Lazarus Motor Company. She has covered hundreds of kilometres, some on the toughest dirt roads around, and she has been fully briefed on how to drive the Ford Focus 2,0 as economically as possible.
"We are most impressed with the driving skills of the Gladiators," said Lazarus. "We expect great things from Fox – especially against other Class E vehicles such as the Alfa, Camry and Clio. We are confident in her driving ability and the performance of the Ford Focus 2,0. Given the frugal and economical car she is ‘commandeering’, and the fact that she has the right fighting spirit and cool demeanour, I think she must be the favourite to win her class."
Lazarus has sponsored Ice, Granite and The Boss with Ford vehicles for the past year. The three vehicles are individually sign-written with each Gladiator’s name, and Lazarus maintains and services the vehicles.
Other 2002 Economy Run entries by Ford/Lazarus Motor Company include drivers Phillip Hull and Roger Rouessart, who will be competing in a Ford Mondeo Ghia 2,0 sedan, Spotty Woodhead in a Ford Ikon 1,6i LX, Harry Young in a Ford Ikon 1,3, Collin Burford in a Ford Fiesta 1,3 and Fanie de Bruin in a Ford Fiesta 1,6i Forte.
Land Rover Centurion is part of the Lazarus Motor Company stable, and will be represented by Tony Yeo in a Land Rover Freelander.