CPMCC Automark Rally
author: Patrick Vermaak
Expecting the Swartland to be rather wet and cold round four of the 2008 WP Rally Championship could well prove extremely challenging with 105km comprising eight special stages providing hot action.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
JP Damseaux and Total Evolution Run X
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The short reprieve in the Sasol SA Rally Championship have allowed Jean-Pierre Damseaux the opportunity to enter the Team Total Evolution S2000 Toyota Run X 4x4 but family commitments have forced Cobus Vrey to vacate the navigators seat on this occasion, allowing Patrick Vermaak an exclusive opportunity to experience the top class of SA rallying.
Having achieved their first podium position on the recent Total International have certainly been well deserved for Jean-Pierre and Cobus. In Gp N3 Ettiene du Toit and Patrick Vermaak also enjoyed their most rewarding event to date by placing the Sasol Toyota Run X RSi first in class, something they would dearly like to do again this season. Paul Pfeiffer and Cindi Harding did not have a happy Total but with their new Subaru N14 ready for delivery their fortunes with be improving soon. They will be present in the faithful Gp N4 Mistubishi Lancer Evo 6 4x4 Turbo and given the expected conditions this could serve their aspirations well.
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Final Evo 6 drive for Paul Pfeiffer?
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Points leader Steven White
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REACT Marketing sports no less than three entries under their banner on the Automark Rally. Steven White and Dirk Malan the current points leaders in the Western Cape with the Gp N2 Mitsubishi Lancer GT1600 have certainly proven that consistency does count. Jonathan Bright have since stepped into the navigators seat and their progress will be closely monitored by the opposition. Jon and Douglas Williams have focused their program on the Sasol SA and FIA Africa Championships but might well run their car in Kenya spec as practice. If not, Rob Williams, will represent the family as navigator for navigator turned driver, Duncan English, in the Team Total Gp N3 Toyota Run X RSi.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Duncan English getting serious
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Talented Ashley Haigh-Smith
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Aged 15 would have most studying rather than rallying but for Ashley Haigh-Smith success at both will determine his future. Having flipped the class A5 REACT Toyota Yaris on the recent Ceres Toyota Rally Ashley and Hilton Auffray will be seeking a solid finish in the Swartland. At age 60 Andy Haigh-Smith represents the opposite side of the age spectrum but still drives like a youngster in the REACT class A6 Toyota Corolla RXi 1600. He will have his oldest son, Alistair, calling the notes on this event and the Cathay Pacific First Officer might just need all his pilot experience once Dad decides to fly Corolla Airways.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Never discount Andy Haigh-Smith
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John Peiser and Brian Hoskins should have been dominating this year but currently have a single finish to their names. The Speed Pro Cycling Equipment Gp N4 Subaru Impreza 4x4 Turbo having won the Ceres Toyota Rally. They have the speed, hopefully reliability returns soon. Another team who would welcome wet conditions as the 4x4 offers so much more traction.
Abduraghman Amlay and Yusuf Ganief capable of pulling off a surprise in their recently completed Gp N3 Toyota Run X RSi. Llewellyn Jones and Craig Gray are deceptively quick in their SAC Class S5 VW Golf IV TDi whilst Shaun Jones and Billy Thorpe will be hoping for that elusive finish in the very temperamental class S5 VW Golf Synchro 4x4.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
André Cleenwerck sets mark in A5
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Johan Kotze and Derek Jacobs set to make their debut in a very rapid class A5 VW Golf Citi 1.4i and they can expect a serious challenge from André Cleenwerck and Carl Peskin in their similar BP Ultimate klas A5 VW Golf Citi 1.4i. André had the misfortune to roll the Golf on two consecutive rallies and will not want a repeat locally. Paul Emmanuel and Clint Lingeveldt another new combination in yet another class A5 VW Golf Citi 1.4i.
Stefanie Hugo will have Berto Mostert as navigator in her Gp N3 Ford Focus ST170 and she will be looking for another experience building finish. Minor electrical glitches were experienced during the week but these will hopefully be sorted by the weekend.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Rupert van Zyl and Marius Rudolph
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Kesevan Naidoo and Garth Ritsch will campaign their regular Freightmore class S3 Toyota Conquest RSi 1600 and will face the similar Fetch and Carry Conquest of Martin Etserhuyse Snr and Paul van Greunen as well as the Hollandse Motors VW Golf GTi 1800 of Rupert van Zyl and Marius Rudolph. Stellenbosch students, Wynand Theron and Divan Shaw, will make a rare appearance in their S3 VW Polo 1800 but will then retire from the sport until their studies have been completed.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Teletubbies getting mean
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Thorsten “Pau” Pey and Mark “Dipsey” Palmer have not had a vintage “Teletubbies” season to date and the Winning Business Solutions / Forsdicks klas S4 E36 BMW 325i will hopefully be returning to form soon. Clinton Sassman will have his quick S4 E30 BMW 325i present, navigator to be announced soon.
Documentation opens at 07h00 at Automark Malmesbury. Scrutineering follows from 07h15 whilst everyone has to be inside the pre start holding area by 08h30. The first car set to start the event at 09h00. Totale distance of 292km includes 105km (8 SS) gravel stages and seven service parks. First team expected at the Nuwedam finish at 17h00.
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Pic by Hannes Oosthuizen
Jon might be running the Africa spec Polo
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Do not miss the action!
Charl Strydom and Sakkie Bosman still awaiting a new engine for their Sabre Paints class A6 VW Polo having broken a crankshaft.
André George and George du Toit working hard to repair fire damage to their S3 VW Golf MkI 1800.
Inus du Plessis and Piet Carinus have retired their S4 E30 BMW 325i until building of his new house have been completed.
Anton Smit and Emile Blanché still making reasonable progress with their E36 class S4 BMW 325i and they should make their debut before the end of the year.
The Gp N2 Toyota Corolla RXi 1600 of Ettiene du Toit and Patrick Vermaak set to return to regional events under the Sasol banner.
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