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| KZN rally riders Clyde Challenor and Graham Bishop |
THE most exciting regional rally in KZN has not even started yet, but drivers are already seeing “red mist” over what some view as unnecessary red tape, but Motorsport South Africa (MSA) views as sensible public safety requirements.
A field of 38 racers have entered the Zane Rencken Tribute rally, which will be held on Saturday at Dalton, and which organiser Dean Redelinghuys said will be a showcase for Natal Rallying, boasting several “firsts” that all aim to make rallying more enjoyable for the fans.
“We have designed a World Rally Championship-style Fan Zone which includes exhibitors, Reach For a Dream kids going for a ride, food from the local farm and big screens with live streamed action from the stages to the fan zone.
“We have received support from the likes of Castrol, New Holland, Barlow World Ford and Shell through their local agent Trimborn.
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| KZN rally riders Bertus Labuschagne and Peter Chadwick. |
“Added to this various social media platforms will be streaming the six-hour long live feed on Saturday on Rally Afrique, which has 11 000 followers into Southern Africa,” Redelinghuys said.
This live feed will also be streamed to the Dalton farm hall, where the fans can watch the action in comfort and safety.
A short rally section has been created just outside the hall where passengers, including Reach for a Dream children, will get rides in a rally car.
Members of the public who are keen to experience why all drivers agree rallying is the most exciting motorsport, can buy a ride at R150 a person, with the proceeds going to Reach for a Dream and the Newton school.
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| Koos Pieters can stil gooi his Ford Escourt. |
Redelinghuys said the Zane Rencken Tribute rally is about sportsmanship and as such has attracted the biggest field in a long time from both Motorsport SA and the World of Motorsport SA’s (Womza) Africa Regional Rally Organisation. This tribute rally will now, however, be raced under Womza after Motorsport SA said all its drivers over 50 must have an electrocardiogram (ECG) to gain a racing licence.
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| MSA is careful, coz if there's one thing it knows, shit happens. |
Redelinghuys had asked for this requirement to be waved for the tribute rally, arguing that MSA drivers who climbed stairs for 120 seconds in January for the Stress ECG test are allowed to drive eight months later, but regional racers have to get a fresh test.
MSA CEO Adrian Scholtz explained this requirement for Stress ECGs has in all probability saved one or two lives.
“We are aware of a few competitors who were rushed in for heart bypass surgery after heart problems were detected as a result of the Stress ECGs they underwent in order to obtain licences,” Scholtz wrote. He added this was not just about medical insurance, but public liability and safety.
“As this is an MSA-permitted event, MSA will be held accountable should the stipulated requirements not be met and MSA’s Public Liability will not activate.
“It is important to note that in the event of non-compliance the organisers could be sued in his/her personal capacity,” he warned.
This has left drivers who entered the race fuming.
In an open letter, Tony Ball stated: “I am placing on record that in all my years of motorsport I have never seen such petty politics and what is concerning me is that in these poor economical times MSA do not seem concerned about growing the sport and making it easy to participate in.”
MSA, however, had the last word: “If the requirement irritates some people but saves even just one life, I think the scales tip decisively in favour of the ECG requirement,” Scholtz wrote.
