In a session of interview questions from the floor at the Sasol Rally Team launch this week, a most telling answer came form the following question: Which of the manufacturer teams will be the strongest this season? It was Mark Cronje who proffered his opinion: “What other guys?”
The Sasol Rally Team comprises young yet highly talented and experienced crews. Together with backing from Sasol and rally-winning Ford Fiesta S2000s in their garages, it is no surprise the near-bullish response from Cronje. This fighting talk is not to be misconstrued for arrogance, but is undoubtedly confidence.
Mark Cronje last year piloted a Toyota Auris S2000 of the Castrol Toyota factory team, but after six of the eight-event calendar decided to back out of the team. Since then he has been working tirelessly securing this new team and his new steed. He is a rally winner, and a mighty fast driver. Calling the notes will be the charismatic Robin Houghton, also of great experience and expertise in the co-driver’s seat.
Three questions to Mark Cronje:
H&H: Congratulations on the launch of your new team! It’s very exciting for you and Robin Houghton this season. What do you think of your new rally car?
MC: This is a rally car built for driving at ten-tenths. I have my best shot at winning the Championship with this car.
H&H: You used a recent regional event as a shakedown. How did that go?
MC: We took the event not to test out pace, but to feel the car and learn its ins-and-outs. As a pairing, Robin and I are on the pace. We’re great friends in and out of the car, and that helps a great deal.
H&H: What can we expect from you this season?
MC: It’ll take us a few stages to get into it, and being realistic we hope to be running with the leaders this event. For the future, podiums and wins are on the menu.
Jon Williams was selected for the inaugural Pirelli Star Driver campaign, tackling six rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2009. Proving to be the most consistent of the five drivers, Williams notched up a series of impressive results in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Before that, he powered a Volkswagen Polo S2000 to regular top eight finishes in the South African National Rally Championship, and he too can easily be described as one of the quickest drivers in South Africa.
Three questions to Jon Williams:
H&H: Its fantastic to see you back in a rally car!
JW: It’s been hard work to get us to this point. I came back from the PWRC and Pirelli Star Driver to compete here last year, but couldn’t secure a drive in time for the season. The Sasol support and the Ford Fiesta S2000 we’ve got are most probably the most competitive package out there. I can’t wait to get to the sugarcane field roads in KwaZulu-Natal.
H&H: What are your expectations for Round One?
JW: I’ve not even driven an S2000 for over two and half years, and not been in a rally car for over a year, so I am realistic in my expectations: I aim to be in the top five.
H&H: What will be your key areas to concentrate on this year?
JW: We’ll be going out to win the Privateers Championship this season, and I think we have a good chance of that. Our competition will be very strong, as last year’s championship showed it to be very tight at the front of the field. We’ll be aiming for strong finishes and good points. Wins are not out of the question!
There are no team orders, but their only directive is to not chase each other in stages. The other 18 Super S2000 crews will be vying for wins too, making this one of the most anticipated seasons in South African rallying history!