Race Prep Motorsport Solutions has built their reputation fielding talented young circuit or gravel racers in the cut-and-thrust of rally competition and 2011 sees two fresh new names join the sport.
Running in the Super 1600 class (formerly A6), Guy Botterill comes off a successful circuit racing career, where he ended as runner-up in the Shelby Can-Am Championship last season and has competed in just three regional rallies.
He and co-driver Simon Vacy-Lyle will drive the 2010 class A6 championship-winning Toyota RunX under the Yato Tools/Liqui Moly banner, starting with the Total Tour Natal Rally on 25th and 26th March, while 19 year-old triple karting champion Ian Young Jr and Herman Groenewald take to the stages in a Super 1400 (formerly A5) Associated Alterations Toyota Yaris.
25-year old Guy’s third and most recent event was the 2011 Belfast Rally where he finished a creditable 4th overall with a brand new navigator in the hot-seat.
“Rallying is a far more involving sport for the driver and not as dependant on your equipment. You can’t practice and the road conditions constantly change, making rallying more challenging”, says Guy.
“My car is brilliant and does everything it is meant to do. It’s making me look good!” he quipped. “We don’t have the budget to put a sequential gearbox in; otherwise it would be world class”.
“I’ll be driving against some top names like Gugu Zulu, Ashley Haigh Smith and Craig Trott, which is a big step up from regional rallying and I’ll have to raise my game accordingly. It will be interesting to see how well I stack up against them”, Guy continued. “My game plan is to get mileage. I did a test in the canefields last December and it’s mind-blowing just how slippery the stages are. My main aim will be to just finish”.
Ian Young has just one rally under his belt. “I kept the car on the road and finished”, he says proudly. “On the repeated stages, I bettered my own times by a minute per stage. I love rallying! It’s the ultimate form of racing”, says the 2009 and 2010 SuperRok karting champion.
Ian’s other racing experience includes three races in a Formula Volkswagen single seater, where he finished 4th overall in his third race.
Coached and mentored by former Race Prep team member and current factory Toyota driver Leeroy Poulter, Ian quickly learnt the importance of the navigator’s role. “It’s important to get the calls right and on time. The year will be a bit harsh to start with and I’m planning to just keep the car on the road; I’m not expecting too much initially but hope to be on the pace after mid-season as I gain more experience”.
Ian will be guided by 39-year-old Herman Groenewald, a Pretoria-based senior Air Force officer. “It is a privilege that Rod asked me to guide his latest young hotshot”, he said.
Race Prep Team Manager Rod Hering said of his 2011 chargers: “Guy surprised me on the Belfast Rally with a brand new navigator. He finished only 20 seconds behind Aggie Stroh who is the Class S3 regional champion. He’s showing all the signs of being a good rally driver. He thinks about what he’s doing and shows maturity in his approach.”
“Ian has the right attitude to do well in the sport and will make a name for himself. Simon (Vacy-Lyle) did an astonishing job given that it was his first rally. He did a navigator’s course and jumped in at the deep end and did rather well. I’m looking forward to a few surprises this year”, Rod concluded.
– Credit: Race Prep Motorsport Solutions