Two stages after the restart of the Heidelberg Rally this morning, Giniel de Villiers in a Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris retired from the event while occupying third overall. The Yaris apparently suffered twin punctures forcing the retirement.
De Villiers was in second behind Leeroy Poulter in another Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris for most of yesterday, but before the end of the day he dropped to third.
Poulter is still leading the event since it started, but second is Ernie van der Walt in a Toyota Yaris. These are the only two S2000 cars left of the four that entered the rally. Wilro Dippenaar in the S2000 Ford Fiesta retired yesterday afternoon due to engine problems.
After stage 8 Poulter was leading van der Walt by 19.6 s. Van der Walt won stage 8 to add to the stage he won yesterday.
The two are running away with the rally since the NRC4 entry of Theuns Joubert, a Toyota Auris is third +3:01.2.
In fourth is the leading S2000 Ford Fiesta R2 of Richard Leeke +4:16.0, followed by the S1600 championship leader, Guy Botterill in a Toyota Etios R2 +4:50.2.
The Heridelberg Rally is the fifth round of the SA National Rally Championship and is being decided over fourteen stages. The remaining competitors have to complete eight stages today.