The countdown to the 2011 South African Rally Championship has begun, promising strong competition in the Super 1600 class (formerly A6) where nine teams are set to do battle for the premier two-wheel drive championship.
Heading the championship chase is the competitive Tjaart Conradie and new co-driver Kesevan Naidoo in their Silverton Engineering Toyota Auris. Conradie put up a strong fight in the 2010 title chase, shadowing eventual winner Leeroy Poulter every step of the way until a season-ending roll curtailed his season in August.
“Hencom Autobody has done a fantastic job rebuilding my car – it’s as good as new and we used the opportunity to shave some weight off the car. Last year, it was the heaviest car in SA rallying”, said Conradie.
The revived 1600cc class has 9 registered competitors, including multiple rally champion Gugu Zulu in a factory Volkswagen. “Gugu will be the biggest threat, but there are some strong names in the class. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and measuring myself against them. We have four brands in Super 1600 which will create a lot of rivalry amongst us and the spectators”, he added.
The opening clash takes place on the ultra-slippery Total Tour Natal Rally over the weekend of 25th and 26th March, based on the KwaZulu Natal South Coast sugar plantation roads.
“The Tour is a great event”, Conradie contends. “We won our class last year. The roads are fast and flowing and you must attack the corners to set competitive stage times. Having said that, if you go off-line it’s over in a flash because of the slippery nature of the roads. And if it rains, it’s incredibly slippery”.
Joining Conradie in the Silverton Engineering Toyota’s left-hand seat is Cape Town-based Kesevan Naidoo, who returns to the sport after a frightening roll on the Volkswagen Rally last year.
“I had a great opportunity late last year to drive with JP Damseaux as well as Sebastian Klaasen which gave me an opportunity to see if I was psychologically ready to get back into a car again. I’m happy to say Sebastiaan and I did well in our rally, coming 3rd overall”, said Naidoo.
He continued: “We will all have to step up a gear this year as the competition will be tougher than it has been in the past decade with strong teams all wanting to win. I have great faith in Tjaart; he did well to keep up with Leeroy (Poulter; 2010 champion) last year so I know he can drive hard”.
“The Tour Natal is hard on navigators as you have few points of reference as you race between the tall sugar cane, so route preparation and timing of the calls needs to be super-accurate”, he added.
The Silverton Engineering Toyota Auris team is supported by Galvadip, Hencom Autobody and Pan African Commuter Solutions.
The Total Tour Natal Rally starts from Arbor Crossing Shopping Centre in Amanzimtoti at noon on Friday, 25th March returning to the coastal town after each day’s action.
– Credit: Silverton Engineering Toyota Rally Team.