The Challenge:
The South African Rally Championship is in full swing, with Team TOTAL four-car privateer squad challenging the might of the factory crews. After the latest event, round five of the 2011 calendar, Team TOTAL has posted impressive results, debuted two new cars and unveiled a new livery.
Team TOTAL’s four crews now face their biggest challenge of season this weekend, when they swap their rally machines for road cars, drivers become navigators and co-drivers climb in behind the steering wheel. This Motorsport South Africa-sanctioned event is performance based, but not in the flat-out and attacking attitude familiar with the podium-winning Team TOTAL crews. The TOTAL Economy Run 2011 is the only legitimate and unbiased barometer of fuel efficiency in passenger vehicles in South Africa since the 1970s.
Motor manufacturers and dealers enter their petrol and diesel vehicles in various classes from 1100cc to 3001cc engined vehicles. Total Evolution fuel will also be put to the test through the trying and demanding conditions, and will undoubtedly showcase the fuel’s superior quality: it offers better protection for your engine*, reduces fuel consumption* and reduces pollutant and CO2 emissions*.
Each vehicle must have a crew of two – driver and navigator – and an appointed observer will be in the vehicle at all times on the route. Drivers must keep to specific speeds and arrive at check points at specified times. This prohibits drivers traveling at unrealistic speeds.
The Crews:
Team TOTAL’s rally drivers Mohammed Moosa, Jean-Pierre Damseaux, Craig Trott and Stefanie Botha will have to put their mathematics skills to use this weekend as they serve as navigators and strategists for their regular co-drivers now behind the steering wheels. Piloting an array of vehicles from a Toyota Aygo to a BMW 1-Series convertible Grant Martin, Carolyn Swan, Robbie Coetzee and Angela Shields will be under intense scrutiny from their passengers. Here Team TOTAL’s crews will be out to show their rivals their adaptability across all motorsport forms.
The Route:
The TOTAL Economy Run takes place in and around Thaba ‘Nchu from 29 to 30 July 2011. The start and finish will be at the Black Mountain Leisure & Conference Hotel, Thaba ‘Nchu. Day One sees crews tackle over 685km and a further 424km on Day Two.
Follow Team TOTAL:
For news and photographs live from the event, visit us on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/pBFCpZ and on Twitter at http://bit.ly/jBLu4j. For more information, please visit www.totalmotorsport.co.za.
*When compared to a non-additive fuel.
