The penultimate round of the Donaldson Cross Country Championship, the Thaba ’Nchu 450 in the Free State on October 24 and 25, is going to provide competitors in the Production and Special Vehicle categories with another tough challenge.
For the sixth time in seven events this season crews will be heading into the unknown with a route that has been given a drastic facelift. The only event so far this season that included a route with which most crews were familiar, and knew more or less what to expect, was the Nkomazi 450 way back in May.
Race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service area for the Thaba ‘Nchu 450 will again be at the Black Mountain Hotel on the outskirts of the Free State town and, as has been the case over the last two years, the route will be picturesque and will take crews through some breathtaking scenery. This year’s route will run in a clockwise direction and from the start will cross the N8, and head approximately 70 kilometres north into the mountain country surrounding Thaba ‘Nchu.
The route then swings south and heads into open plains close to existing secondary roads which are in good condition, and offer cross country enthusiasts plenty of vantage points. In a departure from previous years the route has been condensed, and a bonus for spectators is that the furthest point from the Black Mountain Hotel is 35 kilometres.
“There are lots of road crossings, dams, river sections and randtjies,” said route director Adri Roets. “Overall it is an interesting course with good technical sections interspersed with fast open territory.
“Crews will enjoy the variety and the challenges that the route offers, but once again they will have to work hard for their results and co-drivers will again be put to the test.”
The qualifying race to determine start position will start at 11:30 on Friday, October 24 and the race at 08:30 the following day. Public access to race headquarters, the start/finish and the designated service park will be free of charge, and there is also no entry fee to designated spectator viewing points along the route.