The historically rich area of Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal is in for a financial bonanza with the running of the Atlas Copco 400, round three of the Absa Off Road Championship, on May 20 and 21.
It is estimated that centres hosting events in the Absa championship benefit from a financial injection of between R2 to R2.5 million. The Atlas Copco 400 is a selected event where a round of the KwaZulu-Natal regional championship will be run in conjunction with the national race, and around 80 teams will converge on Dundee and surrounding areas.
Hotels, motels, lodges, guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments are major beneficiaries as teams, family members, media and off road enthusiasts snap up available accommodation. Filling stations, restaurants, take away outlets, entertainment facilities and small business entrepreneurs all benefit from team spending power.
“There are further spin offs in that team members and enthusiasts are exposed to tourist attractions and the opportunities that regions offer as holiday destinations,” said South African National Off Road Racing Association president Richard Schilling. “Off road enthusiasts love to explore South Africa and find new places to visit.
“Events like the Atlas Copco 400 expose them to new areas of possibility.”
In this respect coal rich Dundee, nestling in the Biggarsberg mountains, offers huge potential. The area is steeped in South African history and Dundee is the central point to the Blood River and Isandlwana battlefields and Rorkes Drift, while numerous other places of historical interest are in Dundee or within easy reach of the town.
Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service point for the Atlas Copco 400 will be at the aptly named Battlefields Lodge approximately seven kilometres from Dundee. The Donaldson Prologue to determine grid positions for the race will start at 12:00 on Friday, May 20, and race at 08:30 on Saturday, May 21.
Public access to race headquarters, the start/finish, the designated service point (DSP) and spectator areas along the route is free of charge.
– Credit: www.saoffroadracoing.co.za