Volkswagen in planning for Motorpics Mountain Trail
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What makes this event especially important is
the fact that Volkswagen will get a chance to cement its dominance over
Toyota in the Manufacturers Championship. Toyota have made this title their
own in the recent past, but Volkswagen have established a firm grip this
season with a string of solid performances from both their factory-entered
and privateer teams.
Team manager, Johan Evertse, still in buoyant mood after this weekend's
results nevertheless issued a sobering warning to his charges about the
dangers of complacency. "Although we are looking good for the drivers and
manufacturers championships, there are still three events to run and
anything can happen between now and then, and we could end up with massive
eggs on our faces. That is why we have to remain focused and not forget that
the main objectives still have not been fulfilled. Current results are good
for confidence but nothing has been decided yet," he said.
Current championship leader Enzo Kuun and navigator Pierre Arries are on a
roll after a near-perfect drive at the Volkswagen Rally. Despite suffering a
puncture on Day Two, Kuun still managed to win by well over two minutes over
team-mates Jannie Habig and Douglas Judd in the second Volkswagen Golf A8. "We
got the puncture when most of the sprint sections of the rally were over,
and we had a lead of over 2 minutes over our nearest chasers, so we could
hold on until the end of the stage," commented Kuun.
Habig was not so lucky however. On the longest stage in the championship,
the 44,95km last stage on Day One he suffered a puncture with only 2km gone.
He had to drive the next 42km on 3 wheels and lost over three minutes and
his slender 1sec lead in the process. "You need a bit of luck in order to
win and unfortunately this time it was not on our side, so we had to settle
for second place. That puncture really put paid to our chances and we had
little choice but to go for the best possible position after that and wait
for something dramatic to happen. It was a good rally though and Enzo drove
a good rally. He deserved the win," said Habig.
Contributing a bucket of points to Volkswagen's title chances this season
has been improved consistency, which has given their drivers a better shot
at the individual titles. Enzo Kuun has not dropped a single event so far,
while Habig has only had one retirement, that coming at the Sasol Rally
which he was looking good to win before his car hit a rock.
The Motorpics Mountain Trial takes place in Aliwal North and Barkly East on
August 16th-17th 2002. Last year Jan Habig and Douglas Judd took it by all of 1
second from Serge Damseaux and Guy Hodgson, much to the latter's disbelief
and chargin.
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