Thrills at tribute rally

Rally racing in KwaZulu-Natal.

RALLY racing is the most exciting form of motorsport by far, but only if you are in the car.

For the pit crew and family (often the same people) who accompany the drivers and navigators to the far flung places where rallies are held, it is a case of long waits between ducking dust and flying pebbles at the view points.

The Natal Motorcycle and Car Club (NMCC) aim to change all this with the first regional rally to have the action streamed live to a big screen to the Dalton Farmer’s Club hall.

Navigator Amon Meyiwa and mechanic Lunga Sibiya looks on as running repairs are made on a tensioner.

Organiser Dean Redelinghuys told Wheels this is not the only first that the fans will experience on October 27, when some 40 drivers affiliated to either Motorsport South Africa (MSA) or the World of Motorsport ZA (Womza) will for the first time compete against each other in a tribute rally to local rally racer Zane Rencken, who died earlier this year in a work-related accident.

The event will also offer fans white-knuckle rides in two rally cars over a one-kilometre, action-packed stage to raise funds at R150 per ride for Reach for a Dream as well as the Newton School Rally Car Project.

Pupils at the school in Pietermaritzburg have been working on building a VW Golf rally car which they aim to enter into local races early next year. Newton school also arranged an excursion to Dalton on the day of the event, in order for several of the pupils to interact with the rally mechanics in the service park, the main objective being to build excitement, motivation and commitment to their studies.

Privateer racer Brand van der Merwe stitched up the bumper of his Fiat Uno into a shark smile.

The Dalton Zane Rencken Tribute Rally comprises eight invigorating stages, totalling some 100 km through sugar cane fields and plantations, thanks to the patronage of the local Dalton farmers.

The main service park will be accommodated by the Dalton Farmers’ Club, providing a great venue with all the amenities and food like only farmers wives can make it.

“This is the best event for rally lovers — and novices to the sport — to experience first hand why all motorsport fans agree, rally racing offers the most thrills per minute,” said Redelinghuys.

• To get involved, contact Dean Redelinghuys at 083 657 1526.