Heavy rains in the Western Cape coastal region have resulted in some forced changes to the gravel road special stages of this month’s Garden Route Rally, round six of the South African Rally Championship, which takes place in the George and Knysna areas on August 26 and 27.
Route director and assistant clerk of the course Joe Fourie has had to find new access and stage roads to replace some of those originally planned for the two-day event as a result of the wet weather conditions.
“We’re confident the gravel roads we have now selected will not be affected by further rain as they have survived pretty well so far. A lot of the route will be ‘twin track’ roads which have become overgrown as a result of little use.
“It’s a tight and technical route with eight gravel special stages and two tar stages. Competitors can expect a good test of their driving and navigating skills,” he promised.
The Garden Route Rally breaks new ground in national championship special stage rallying as it returns to an area last used in the early 1990s and none of today’s competitors are likely to have raced in anger over any of the selected roads. It is also the second successive round featuring forest stages, particularly popular with competitors and spectators alike, following the recent Volkswagen Rally in the Eastern Cape.
The rally starts from the new Garden Route Mall, situated close to George airport and the junction of the N2 highway and Knysna Road, at 12:00 on Friday, August 26. The five-kilometre first stage, which is sponsored by property developers Destiny Africa, is situated just 400 metres from the ceremonial start and adjacent to the mall. It will be followed by three forest stages in the Outeniqua mountains and a short tar stage in the popular seaside resort town of Knysna.
The overnight halt and parc ferme will be at the 325-hectare Simola Estate, scene of the recent Knysna Speedweek and Hillclimb, with its breathtaking panoramic view of the famous Knysna lagoon and Heads and the Indian Ocean beyond .
Saturday’s action starts at 08:00 from Simola Estate in Knysna with a new stage adjacent to the property before repeating Friday’s three forest special stages plus a fourth forest stage and a final tar stage at Simola Estate.
While the full rally route includes some historic mountain passes, such as Karatara and Saasveld, these will not be included in the competitive special stages, but will be used for liaison only.
All the leading competitors in both the overall and junior rally championships will be in action, with the premier Super 2000 class promising another close and exciting battle for overall honours in a season that has already witnessed some of the closest racing seen in years.
