Brothers Johan and Werner Horn, in the Malalane Toyota Hilux, have targeted a good result on the Nkomazi 450, round five of the Donaldson Cross Country Motor Racing Championship in Mpumalanga, on August 26 and 27.
For the brothers the race is the ideal opportunity to get what has been a disappointing season back on the rails. For the siblings, who grew up in Malalane, it also represents the opportunity to repay the strong fan base they have in the Mpumalanga town and surrounding areas.
“We went into the season with high expectations, but it has not turned out that way,” said elder brother Johan. “But that is motorsport and the Nkomazi 450 offers the chance to show our real potential, and to pay back the fans for all the support they have given us.”
The brothers currently lie in ninth place in the Production Vehicle championship and in seventh place in the Class T championship for cars over four litres and with solid axle rear suspension. Class T cars now also run on commercially available tyres instead of specialist racing rubber.
“We haven’t had much luck this season,” said co-driver Werner. “It has been frustrating but a really good result in our own back yard will make it all better.
“Home town support means there will be a fair amount of pressure on us to do well, but we’ll treat it like any other race and give it our best shot.”
This year’s event will also follow a new route which runs alongside the N4 highway. The route is made up of sugar cane and natural bush veld and this year skips a difficult forest section.
“I am not sure that racing on home ground is that much of an advantage,” said Johan. “All the teams have raced here before so they are familiar with the prevailing conditions, and a new route levels this year’s playing field.”
Race headquarters, the start/finish and designated service park are once again located at the Riverview Preparatory School on the outskirts of Malalane. Public entrance to these areas and spectator points along the route will be free of charge, with spectator guides available at race headquarters and at Malalane Toyota.
This year’s event also incorporates a round of the Northern Regions Cross Country Championship. The Nkomazi 450 always generates a festival atmosphere with a variety of entertainment and refreshments on offer.
The qualifying race to determine grid positions will start at 11:30 on August 26 and the main race at 08:30 the following day