Competitors in the Northern Regions rally championship have a great opportunity to compete with the best rally drivers and co-drivers in the country when they join forces in the Imperial Toyota Cullinan Rally, round five of the SA National Rally Championship on August 15 and 16 .
The Northern Regions contingent of 12 entries will compete on both days, with each day being a separate round of the regional championship. Leading the championship after two rounds are the Baker brothers, Jaco and George, in a Toyota Tazz.
Chris Coertse, chairman of the Northern Regions rally championship sub-committee commented: “Regional rallying is the grassroots of the sport and an important gateway to national championship rallying. Being able to incorporate our event with the national championship event gives our competitors a unique opportunity to grow their experience and confidence in the company of the country’s best rallyists and in the very professional environment of a national championship event.”
Richard Leeke, President of the Rally Commission of Motorsport South Africa, added: “A lot of hard work is going into the development of rallying in general, on both a regional and a national level. If we are to grow rallying as a sport, we must nurture regional competition. Without this there will be no national championship rallying.
Editor: This is nothing new. In years gone by regional competitors have always had the opportunity to compete on national rallies. Some years the Sasol had up 73 entries thanks to the support of regional competitors. They have already competed in the VW rally this year.