Sasol launched its high-octane rally programme by driving two S2000 Ford Fiestas out of the back of a cargo plane. Tucked into the cockpit of one of the M-Sport-built rally machines was Mark Cronje and co-driver Robin Houghton and Jon Williams and Cobus Vrey in the other. These are the men selected to fly Sasol’s flag in the 2011 South African Rally Championship.
Mark and Robin had a chance to conduct a pre-season test on the recent regional Belfast Rally where they quickly got to grips with their Ford Fiesta – and each other, winning six of the eight stages.
Mark has an impressive motorsport CV, boasting no less than five championships, including the world championship Rotax karting title. Robin is equally well qualified with a raft of off-road titles to his name. Jon has a class D production racing title to his credit but his greatest achievement was representing Africa in the Pirelli Star Driver in half a dozen rounds of the World Rally Championship. Cobus has competed for 19 years, claiming innumerable regional and class titles along the way.
“We settled in and learnt a lot on the regional rally. The car is staggeringly competent. There were a few niggles along the way but nothing serious. Our second test will be in Natal”, Mark said. “It’s a privilege to drive the Fiesta. It has got such a ‘wow’ factor over anything I’ve experienced in the past. The handling is very forgiving which inspires confidence to attack corners and that should stand us in good stead for the slippery roads on the South Coast”.
Mark continued: “For our first event I will be chuffed with a podium which is a high goal to set but in reality we will use the event to get au fait with the car and the team. This is a serious campaign in the midst of what is shaping up to be the most competitive season ever in SA rallying”.
The last time Sasol backed me I was 13-years old and I received a race suit and some fuel. The wheel has finally turned full circle”, he grinned. “This is the realization of a dream with the best car money can buy”.
For Robin Houghton, a highly experienced co-driver, this is his first season outside of a factory environment in over a decade. “We started mountain biking together to get to know each other better. I will be a lot busier in the cockpit because the Fiesta is designed so that the driver only worries about steering, the pedals and changing gears. I operate all the other systems from a control box between the seats. I guess I’ll have to read the manual!”
“It’s going to be a great season with 12 drivers capable of winning, representing four brands. So many factors will affect the outcome of rallies this year, like road position, for example. The KwaZulu Natal roads are fantastic because they’re fast and flowing. We aim to have fun, look after Sasol’s investment and faith in us and see where we fit into the scheme of things”, he added.
“I’m speechless”, exclaimed Jon Williams as he stepped out of his first drive behind the wheel after exiting the plane and completing a gymkhana track around the Air Base launch venue. “The Sasol Ford Fiesta is the culmination of 1½ years of knocking on doors and sending out proposals. I’m deeply grateful that Sasol has given me this opportunity”.
Paul Turner (a UK motorsport team manager) and former Ford WRC driver Markko Martin (who conducted initial testing on the Ford Fiesta S2000) helped to put Jon Williams’ deal together and Markko will be doing testing with Jon ahead of the Tour Natal Rally.
“When I drove out of the plane, I was trying to find out how to operate the switches and hoped I wouldn’t stall in front of Sasol’s guests and staff. I want to achieve good results to make Sasol’s staff proud of their team and come out as the top fuel-sponsored car in rallying”, Jon said of his early season objectives.
“I haven’t sat in a car with Cobus but I know he will do a good job. We will use the first day to find good set-up for the car and then give it a go to see where we are. Natal is a tricky event and you have to be committed”, Jon concluded.
Cobus Vrey brings 19 years of co-driving experience to the team, but never in a left hand drive car. “I’ll probably get into the wrong side of the car quite a few times”, he joked. “The technology in the Ford Fiesta is on another level to what I have experienced. We’ve got the machinery to get to the top. A finish in Natal inside the top 10 will be a good achievement for us in the circumstances”, said Cobus.
Dean Somerset, Sasol Head of Motorsport Sponsorships said: “Sasol is proud to continue in rallying’s premier class with Ford’s hi-tech rally cars, which carries a direct synergy with Sasol’s fuel and lubricants”.
“The Ford Fiesta rally programme is about re-introducing Sasol’s winning ways and we believe our drivers will achieve that. The cars will be powered by Sasol Turbo Fuels plus with Sasol techno oil pumping through the engine”.
The opening encounter for Team Sasol will be on the Tour Natal Rally on the 25th and 26th March, where 14 challenging stages on the KZN South Coast will sort the men from the boys.
For more information on Team Sasol, log on to www.sasolracing.co.za