Former South African champions Kallie Sullwald and son Quentin hit top form when they won the Donaldson Prologue at the Sun City 400 here today.
The Sullwald’s, in the Elegant Fuel Racing BAT, finished just four seconds ahead of Bevan Bertholdt/Danie Stassen (lab88 BAT) in what was a race within a race to determine start positions for round four of the Absa Off Road Championship.
“We had one wrong slot that cost us a little time but otherwise we had a clean run,” said the younger Sullwald. “All today did was confirm that this is going to be another tight and very tough race.”
The experienced Bertholdt and Stassen, having their first outing in a new BAT, came up with a highly encouraging performance. They were, however, only 14 seconds clear of another father and son combination in Nardus and Louis Alberts in the Wrapsa BAT.
The top five were completed by Colin Matthews/Alan Smith (Century Racing BAT) and reigning SA driver’s champion Evan Hutchison and new co-driver Darryl Curtis in the Motorite BAT. Curtis is a multiple South African off road motorcycle champion and is having his first outing on four wheels.
“At least you can’t fly over the handlebars,” quipped Curtis after the 60 kilometre prologue. “It was fun and I’m looking forward to the race.”
The biggest losers, despite reporting a clean run, were overall championship leaders Shameer Variawa and Siegfried Rousseau in the Total Motorsport Porter. The pair have won twice this season but will start 15th and have a small mountain to climb.
Behind the first five Class A cars the scene is set for a terrific Class P battle between championship leaders Johan van Staden and James Rossouw (Atlas Copco BAT) and brothers David and Gary White in the Ruwacon Racing BAT. The two crews finished sixth and seventh and posted identical times.
Third were reigning drivers’ champion Johan Bezuidenhout and brother Deon in the Adenco BAT. The Cape pair were just over a minute in arrears.
The fastest time in Class B went to another Adenco entry. Bes Bezuidenhout and daughter-in-law Lindie outpaced another father/daughter combination in Coetzee and Sandra Labuscagne in the Raysonics Zarco Lite with both veteran drivers making their first appearances of the season.
Tomorrow’s race starts at 8am with race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service point all located within the Sun City complex. Entry to the start/finish, the designated service point and 13 spectator points along the route is free of charge.
– Credit: www.saoffroadracing.co.za