SA DAKAR RALLY SUCCESSES A BOOST FOR ABSA OFF ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP
author: Charmaine Fortune
Imperial Toyota Hilux pair Giniel de Villiers and German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz, who won the 2009 Dakar Rally, produced a stunning third place finish. Team-mates Duncan Vos and Rob Howie finished 11th at their first attempt on the classic event, with Mark Corbett and Francois Jordaan a sterling 24th in the Century Racing CR4.
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Giniel de Villiers Imperial Toyota Hi-Lux
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“There is no doubt that the magnificent performances of South African teams on the Dakar Rally will provide the Absa series with a major boost this year,” said South African Off Road Racing Association chairman Richard Schilling. “The Dakar successes will lead to much increased public and media awareness and interest.
“More important, however, is the very real possibility that new faces, in terms of both competitors and potential sponsors, will be attracted to the sport.”
Schilling added that the Dakar performances once again underlined the competitive nature of the Absa championship. The domestic series has long been regarded as the toughest championship of its kind in the world, and the South American results reflected this fact.
“The Dakar proved that when it comes to off road racing we have the technology, the personnel and the professionalism to take on anyone in the world,” Schilling said. “There is also no doubt whatsoever the Absa series provided the platform for performances of which we are all extremely proud.
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Mark Corbett Century Racing CR4 Buggy
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“The Imperial Toyota and Century Racing teams have fired up renewed enthusiasm for off road racing and, more than ever, the future of our sport is encouraging.”
This year’s Absa Off Road Championship opens on March 9 and 10 with the RFS Magalies 400 which will again be based at the Tarlton International Raceway near Krugersdorp. The championship will be run over eight events throughout South Africa and Botswana.
With both the Production and Special Vehicle championships going all the way to the wire last year, there is no doubt that this season will be equally competitive. North West crew Jannie Visser and Joks le Roux (International Toyota Hilux) won last year’s Production Vehicle championship, with the Phalaborwa based father and son team of Hermann and Wichard Sullwald (Sullwald Racing SVR) winning the Special Vehicle championship.
This year’s calendar is as follows:
March 9 and 10 – RFS Magalies; April 13 and 14 – Toyota Dealer 400; May 18 and 19 – KZN 400; June 22 to 24 – Toyota 1000 Desert Race; July 27 and 28 – Sun City 400; September 7 and 8 – 4x4 Mega World 400; October 19 and 20 – Human Auto 400; November 16 and 17 – To be confirmed.
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