Article by Patrick Vermaak.
Sebastiaan Klaassen/Kesevan Naidoo took their first overall regional rally victory in fine style when they won every stage of the CPMCC Swartland Rally this past weekend. The Monster Energy Drink S5 Subaru Impreza WRX crew totally dominated the event, winning by exactly 02min. With less than two seasons experience, the popular Hollander was deservedly pleased with this result.
Heavy rains early in the week soaked the roads in the Nuwedam area, but Saturday dawned in almost perfect weather conditions and this lasted until the midday service before the roads were once again drenched. The loose surface challenged drivetrains as every kiloWatt and Newton Metre of torque and maximum traction proved vital for success on the day.
Sebastiaan Klaassen/Kesevan Naidoo eased away from the well-driven REACT Marketing S3 CPMCC Toyota Corolla RXi 1600 of Ashley Haigh-Smith/Hilton Auffray. Haigh-Smith, driving at his best, simply did not stand a chance in these conditions but proved spectacular to the spectators with a determined effort and in doing so was second fastest on all but one stage.
Paul-Hendrik Franken/Uwe Pey proved that their fine result on the recent Tata Ceres rally was no fluke when they again finished third overall in their Hex Valley Water S3 WBMK Toyota Corolla RXi 1600. This combination completed the entire event on dry tyres and at times found the Toyota a real challenge on the no-grip surface.
The star performance of the event came from newcomers Benjamin Johnson and Christoff Löttering, in their S1 CPMCC Volkswagen Golf 1.4i. Keeping their noses, clean the popular duo remained consistent whilst their opposition encountered problems and fourth overall was a highly respectable performance. Another fine result came from Stephen White/Daniël Blaser in the “yellow submarine” REACT Marketing S2 CPMCC Mitsubishi Lancer GT1600.
Sixth overall after a testing day saw Piet Bakkes/Patrick Vermaak turn in good stage times despite their car breaking a right CV 2km from the end of SS2. With no service available, they then completed SS3 with one-wheel drive. No spare CV saw the team cobble a replacement from various spares, and with 18min lateness adding more misery to their day they set off with nothing to lose on the second loop of stages. Piet showed that he can certainly pedal an A5-specification Volkswagen Golf Golf by setting the third fastest time on stages 4 and 5 and then on SS6 they were granted clearance from Cape Town International Air Traffic Control to launch the accidentGuru S1 HMC Volkswagen Golf 1.4i into orbit at the final yump of the rally. Gravity saved the day and they landed safely to negotiate the final 90 right corner to finish the event just 06sec shy of fifth spot.
Team acccidentGuru was also represented by Paul van Wyk/Tiaan Rabe (S1 CPMCC Volkswagen Golf 1.4i), and after SS1 they were running first and second in Class. With rallying being rallying, their troubles started with a right-rear shock ripping out of their car’s body on SS1 and then developed a misfire that saw their lead diminish rapidly on SS4. Sadly, they then broke the inner right CV on their car during the final stage and, although they could soldier on to the end, their potential Class win became third in Class and seventh overall.
Divan de Goede/Henry Köhne drove yet another consistent event to record ninth overall in their truly privateer S3 CPMCC Toyota Corolla RXi 1600, followed by the 2010 Junior Western Province Rally Champions André George/George du Toit in tenth in their Flying Fridge-sponsored S3 CPMCC Toyota Conquest RSi 1600.
Johan and Carina Bester once again proved to be fantastic hosts as owners of Nuwedam, and not even the fact that was Johan’s 45th birthday prevented him from allowing the event to go ahead. A special thanks to In a Pickle Accounting and Bookkeeping Services, Tata Helderberg, M&H Motors, GB Satellite Installations and Prosigns for their support.