Will he or won’t he?
author: Patrick Vermaak
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.....if the Mitsubishi is driven by Gemmel, certain people will have to start shopping for more speed and power again!
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Rumour has it that Johnny Gemmel had enough of the non supportive roll played by Subaru in his career, and he apparently sold or wants to sell every last Subaru spare-part he had left after the spectacular roll while leading the Total Rally of South Africa.
Rumour now also has it that LJ Plant Hire might adorn the sides of a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII come the Sasol Rally, with a new Evo VIII in the offing for the fast recuperating Africa champion, Fernando Rueda. Could be way out of line but a deal was apparently made!
Implications are that Pierre Arries might have to celebrate his 33rd birthday coming Saturday without the potential rally victory as navigator for Fernando Rueda in the Evo VII or they might hint that the Evo VIII might be on order for Johnny Gemmel by pitching up in the Evo VII?
Niks soos ‘n lekker stukkie skinder om die belangstelling voor ‘n tydren mee te prikkel nie!
If Rueda and Aries don’t pitch most money will be on Stephan van Dyk and Mark Pym to take their first regional victory and since Stephan is considered a local it would be quite a nice “home” victory in the ex-Schalk Burger Subaru.
The “what if” factor gets better should Richard Behm and Grant St Clair get their Evo VI bent straight before the weekend they would certainly have a wager on them to take overall victory but at the time of writing their entry seemed unlikely even if the car was ready. With JP not present the SWMC suddenly have no punch left at the front of the field. Having always claimed the biggest entry behind their name, CPMCC might now also be the dominating club as far as overall results are concerned. Will the SWMC give up this easily?
Andy Haigh-Smith and Gerald Brace have withdrawn their battle damaged A6 Corolla in favour of assisting Angela (Brace) celebrating her birthday on Saturday. (She is much younger than her vintage Dad).
Harry Giliomee (37) is another celebrating his birthday on Saturday and he would consider a first time finish in his class S2 WBMK Toyota Corolla 1600 as the best present in years. Former oval track exponent, Fritz Blom, will be filling the suicide seat for the first time and they will undoubtedly give it their best on home soil.
The WBMK “fossil”, alias Les Johnston, turns 56 (eina) on Saturday but will be celebrating his birthday in ostrich country as he now resides in George (thankfully). Ferrari fans have one more celebration in store as Rubens Barrichello turns 32 on Sunday. Somehow I doubt whether Michael would give up another F1 record to please his teammate with a birthday victory, but another 1-2 would be acceptable at Monaco.
If rallying is not your game then you could consider the Polokwane Airshow (that used to be Pietersburg) or the impressive scale radio controlled modelers at AFB Swartkops on Saturday and Sunday. Always saving the best for last, Brian Hoskins will be celebrating his birthday on Monday. (he will get nasty if we published his age). For those with the well worn memories Dirkie Boonstra hits 52 next Wednesday.
Now to see what pitches in Ceres on Saturday ?
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