Performance and efficiency are fundamental to success not only in motorsport, but also for everyday motoring. This adage was proved once again for the 35th running of the TOTAL Economy Run held this weekend in which 50 crews and 18 manufacturers set out to find the most fuel efficient passenger vehicles in South Africa.
This year’s event was staged in and around Thaba ‘Nchu, Free State, comprising a route of over 1109km that challenged the petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles in various classes for engine capacities from 1100cc to 3001cc. TOTAL Evolution fuel was also put through its paces on this trying and demanding event, and it once more highlighted its superior quality: better protection for your engine*, reduction in fuel consumption* and a reduction in pollutants and CO2 emissions*.
“The Total Economy Run is the only legitimate and unbiased barometer of fuel efficiency in passenger vehicles in South Africa since the 1970s,” said Reina Cullinan, TOTAL South Africa’s Marketing Manager at the awards ceremony held at the Black Mountain Hotel and Leisure Centre in Thaba ‘Nchu. “Our Research and Development teams strive to improve fuel efficiency and to reduce the impact on the environment. The TOTAL Economy Run serves as an invaluable guide to motor manufacturers and customers alike, and is proven to benefit passenger vehicles’ sales figures.”
To highlight the performance and efficiency of the TOTAL Evolution fuels, the Team TOTAL rally squad’s four crews competed in this year’s event. Adding to the challenge posed to the rally team by its sponsor, co-drivers and drivers swapped roles for this weekend’s Motorsport South Africa-sanctioned event. Currently topping the leader board in Class S1600 and the Junior Rally Championship in the South African Rally Championship are Craig Trott and Robbie Coetzee. Coetzee piloted a Toyota Aygo while Trott served as strategist and navigator. On their debut entry to this prestigious event, and with no prior experience, Coetzee and Trott claimed the overall petrol category victory with a fuel consumption figure of 5.191 litres/100km.
Coetzee said: “It is unbelievable to win this great event; it is my first motorsport event as a driver, and I won. I think this is a good move from Team TOTAL, and something for them to consider for the future,” chuckled the overall petrol category winner.
Team TOTAL did their sponsor proud: a third place overall in the petrol category for Angela Shields and Stefanie Botha (also in a Toyota Aygo), Grant Martin and Mohammed Moosa winning their Class in a BMW 125i Convertible, and Carolyn Swan and Jean-Pierre Damseaux (Nissan Micra 1.2) who claimed eighth position overall in the petrol category.
Winner of the overall diesel category was Eddie Bielfeld and Brian Page in a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI with a fuel consumption figure of 4.396 litres/100km. Bielfeld said after the event: “It has been a great weekend and very close battle for the win against our Class and other diesel-powered competitors.”
The event was staged over two days, with competitors not only having to contend with their rivals but also the adverse weather conditions that saw temperatures drop below freezing point in the mornings and only just rise to above single digits before sunset. This was in stark contrast to the white-hot action that unfolded at each of the mandatory refuel stops along the routes, as these revealed the cars at the forefront of their Classes. Drivers must keep to specific speeds and arrive at check points at specified times, while travelling through city centres, on the open highways, around road construction sites and all while trying to outwit their Class rivals.
At the prize-giving ceremony, the dealer and manufacturer that proved to be the most fuel efficient on this year’s event went to the Lazarus Motor Company who entered a bevy of Ford, Mazda and Jaguar products.
Underlining the importance of customers’ needs, those of the ever-changing industry and the technical developments of engines, TOTAL South Africa will soon be introducing an ultra-low sulphur 50ppm ULP95 fuel to participating service stations. This is another way in which TOTAL South Africa aims to boost performance and efficiency on our roads.
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* When compared to other non-additive fuels.
