SA rally champs test new car at local ‘picnic race’

National rally champions Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle giving their Etios R4 a proper shakedown. (Photo: ImagesAhead)

The Natal Recreational Club’s monthly rally sprint near Dalton saw national rally champions Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle travel from Hillcrest to enter their Toyota Etios R4 for a shakedown before competing in the Sarago Zambia International Rally at the end of the month.

The pair were accompanied by Kuluma TV crew, who interviewed the amateur racers at the “picnic rally”. 

In the Clubmans Class for standard cars, leading driver Kurt Volmink placed ahead of a pair of VW Golfs, neither of which finished.

Volmink, who also hosts wildly popular drifting and spinning events in KZN, told the Kuluma TV that his aim is to encourage “old school racing”, where the competitors drive their cars to the race, finish and then drive back home.

“I grew up with rallying as a family affair and love that I can now race with my sons Jody and Zach as my navigators. 

The Mighty Matiz cocks a wheel at corners. (Photo: ImagesAhead)

“We are racing the slowest car here — a Daewoo Matiz — to show it is not about the car, but about the driving, and that anyone with a car can join us to experience the thrill of rallying,” Volmink said.

The event, which can only accommodate 30 entries, drew 24 competitors who took their rally cars, sandmasters and bikes to the farm roads.

Although the club’s rally sprints are all about fun and not podiums, “Maritzburra champions” Brian and Ashley Scott can both stand afar from the elbows after placing second, not too far behind the national champions in their Polo. 

Paulo Gouveia and Johann Pienaar giving their Nissan Skyline a cane rub. 

Behind them there was a ding-dong battle for third place in the rally class between two old rivals, Paulo Gouveia and Johann Pienaar in their Nissan Skyline, against Dean Redelinghuys and Amon Meyia in their VW Polo. Gouveia used every trick in the book to stay 10,4 seconds ahead of Redelinhuys.

Redelinhuys, who organises the rally sprints, complimented Brian and Ashleigh for being on top of their game and driving exceptionally well. 

He also thanked local farmer Denzel Meier for helping to host the rally sprint at short notice. 

He said the “all fun, no points” racing format is proving exceptionally popular and October’s event is already booked up, but if his
plan to adapt the current timing system pans out, he hopes to increase the number of cars that can be fielded.