True to his word, top rally privateer Japie van Niekerk made sure that he got onto the podium of the Bela Bela Rally, which finished in the popular resort town north of Pretoria on Saturday June 19. Van Niekerk and co-driver Gerhard Snyman pushed hard right to the finish as a three-way battle developed for the final step of the podium, with the New Africa Developments Ford Fiesta holding off a stiff challenge from the fancied ‘Works’ entries to clinch the spot by just under four seconds from the Polo of Gugu Zulu and Hilton Auffray.
The Yaris of Giniel de Villiers and Carolyn Swan was a mere nine seconds further back.
It was a fitting result for the determined property developer, who had set out to make Bela Bela the turning point of what has been difficult season so far. The strong result was made even sweeter by the fact that the event doesn’t traditionally favour the Fiesta (Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton in a similar car were second), with its flat surfaces and corners layered with deep dust not playing to the Ford’s strengths.
“I’m elated, relieved and proud all at once,” grinned Van Niekerk, his arm around his good friend, Snyman. “We’ve had many challenges in the last few months, what with the ugly and unnecessary crash in Nelspruit and then a small but costly mistake on the Secunda Rally. Everyone has worked really hard to remain focussed and positive, and this is exactly the right result at the right time!”
The NAD duo drove a consistent event and after the first day (with four of the 10 stages completed) they were in fourth place and only 10 seconds away from the podium despite not setting an ideal time on the first and third timed sections.
However, on the second day they were smooth and consistent and remained in the hunt as the event fanned out to the South of Bela Bela, with the mix of fast straights followed by tight turns requiring a measured approach. By the eighth stage they were up to third, but all it would’ve taken was a puncture or a minor “off” and they could’ve quickly dropped to sixth…
Van Niekerk and Snyman kept their cool though and put their trust in each other and the Fiesta to record their best result of 2015. With a podium in the bag, they’re now ready to step up – literally and figuratively – come the fifth round of the South African National Rally Championship in the Eastern Cape on July 17/18.