Hannes is itching
author: Andries vd Walt
Former South African off-road and rally driver champion, Hannes Grobler, is itching to get behind the wheel of the new RFS-sponsored BMW X3. Grobler, who ended a 33-year long association with Nissan at the end of last year, said in an interview in Pretoria, that the new venture is a complete new challenge and one that he has not experienced for a long time.
Grobler and his new navigator, Hennie ter Stege, will drive the black and orange liveried BMW X3 for the first time on the forthcoming Sun City off-road event on 16/17 July as part of the South African Off-Road Championship. They will be competing in the SP Production class. “I don’t expect any fireworks on our first event, but I am confident that we will be competitive and may even surprise a competitor or two”, Grobler said.
|
A picture by Motorpics.co.za
The BMW X3/X5 driven vehicle in the hands of Chris du Plooy on its first run.
|
He said that the BMW X3 is equipped with an X5 diesel powered engine, and that in itself will also present a challenge to Grobler who are used to driven petrol aspirated vehicles. The BMW has been developed according to Gp N FIA regulations for Europe. He said that the BMW is pretty lively, but he does not think that they will beat everything in sight right from the start.
He added that the Sun City event will fit the BMW perfectly. “It is fast and rough and we have a suspension that can really take the rough stuff”, he said. The rest of the RFS team will consist of Chris du Plooy who will be driving a Toyota Hi-Lux and Du Plooy’s son, Christiaan, who will also be in a Hi-Lux.
Grobler said that the Sun City round of the Off-Road Championship is a very popular one among spectators and it is also a very spectator friendly event. “You can virtually stay in one spot and watch all the action without having to drive around following the action” he said.
|
|
