A challenging and technical route awaits competitors when the Donaldson Cross Country Motor Racing Championship returns to the Pilanesberg for the Sun City 450 on September 30 and October 1.The race is back on the cross country calendar and is the penultimate round of the seven event national series. The event was last held in 2014 under the Force Fuel 400 banner and has previously won the event of the year accolade.
Race headquarters and the designated service park will be located within the Sun City complex, with the start of the race close to the village of Tweelaagte 30 kilometres to the west. After a ceremonial start at race headquarters competitors will travel to Tweelaagte with the route then heading in a northerly direction to Molorwe.
From there the course turns west towards Marapalalo and Mapapotle to the northern most point of the route. Competitors then head south towards Mabeskraal and Tweelaagte to Bapong with a 30 kilometre decontrol back to Sun City.
“The route takes in areas where we have not previously raced and is technical,” said route director Adri Roets. “The surface is mainly black turf soil with some rocky outcrops close to the settlement of Makgope.
“The advantage of black turf is that dust is minimal, but the terrain and conditions could be really challenging if there are early rains in the area.”
Roets added the route was overgrown in places, but drought conditions meant there is hardly any ground cover which makes for good overtaking opportunities. As was the case with previous Sun City events, the route is spectator friendly with numerous vantage points within easy access of the main Sun City complex.
Public entry to race headquarters, the designated service park and spectator points along the route are free of charge. Catering, refreshments and spectator guides will also be available at race headquarters.
The qualifying event to determine grid positions will be held on Friday, September 30 and the race the following day. The qualifying race will start at 11:00 and the main event, at 08:00 on Saturday, 1 October.
The main race will be run over two loops with competitors flagged away at dust gap intervals of two minutes. There will be a compulsory 20 minute service halt at the end of loop one with the second loop starting at 12:00.