The Challenge:
Grey clouds ominously rolled over George this morning, bringing with it intermittent showers and heavy mist for Day One of the Garden Route Rally. Transforming the gravel forest roads into greasy tracks, the rally cars slithered through the Outeniqua Forests from George to Knysna.
Rally crews tackled the arduous 63.95km route spread over four stages with the inclement weather wreaking havoc on the event’s tight, twisty and technical speed tests.This the sixth round of the South African Rally Championship held between George and Knysna in the Western Cape has proven as exciting and thrilling as any round of the season thus far and glancing at the Day One leader board, rally fans will be in for even more thrills. Of the event’s original 31 starters, 27 have reached the overnight halt at Simola Estate in Knysna.
The Crews:
Day One of the Garden Route Rally for South Africa’s largest privateer rally team has been one of great excitement. Team Total’s four-car squad has impressed their rivals and rally fans alike with their increased speed on this new challenge. Stefanie Botha and Angela Shields (Toyota RunX S1600) were, however, forced to retire from the rally in stage four with mechanical problems after an encouraging day’s performance in the Two Wheel Drive Championship.
Impressively, Team Total’s remaining three crews have all finished Day One within the top 15 overall positions. Leading the charge for the team are Mohammed Moosa and Grant Martin (Toyota Auris S2000), who after a day’s battling with the conditions, reached the overnight halt in tenth place overall. The 16-car strong Class S2000 field has seen its competitors push their cars’ tyres to their maximum as they scrabble for traction on the muddy roads.
“All is good,” said Moosa. “Our speed is increasing and I think we’re in a very strong position for tomorrow. We aimed to find our feet today, and we have managed to grow in confidence with our new car. For tomorrow’s finish, I’ll be happy with sixth or seventh overall.”
Teammates Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Carolyn Swan (Toyota Auris S2000) brought their new car home in 12th overall, and will continue the intriguing battle that is developing between five crews ahead of them. The slightest of mistakes from any crew will undoubtedly result in a leader board reshuffle. Damseaux said: “Its so very slippery out there. We have been overly cautious on the stages today by playing it safe. For Day Two, we’ll move up the ranks.”
Leading Class S1600 and the Two Wheel Drive Championship chase is the Team Total RunX S1600 piloted by Craig Trott and Robbie Coetzee. Engrossed in an intense battle for the Class lead, Trott enjoys a deserved 10.6-second lead over his rivals.
“This rally is to be battled not with the throttle, but with the head,” said Trott. “We have found the going tough on these stages, as the two-wheel drive cars simply struggle for traction in the slippery sections. I’m enjoying the technical nature of this rally and I look forward to tomorrow’s repeat stages.”
The Day Ahead:
Five stages and 104.87km of rally action lies in wait for Day One’s Garden Route Rally survivors, with the day’s competition dawning at 8am starting and ending at Simola Estate. The final stage starts at 14h30 and the prize-giving ceremony gets underway at 15h45.
Follow Us:
For news, stage times and photographs live from the event, visit us on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/pBFCpZ and on Twitter at http://bit.ly/jBLu4j. You may also find more information at http://www.totalmotortsport.co.za