NAD Fiesta Crew Hit a New High With Career-Best Second Place on the Cullinan Rally
The New Africa Developments Ford Fiesta crew – Japie van Niekerk and Gerhard Snyman – have pulled off a stunning second place finish on the Imperial Toyota Cullinan Rally, and achieved their best result in an S2000 car together.
The event, which ended at the Zonderwater Correctional Services facility just outside the famous diamond-rich town yesterday (August 16), saw an enthralling three-way battle for third place ensue from the first stage – which the NAD duo finished in second place behind the similar Fiesta of reigning champions Mark Cronje and Robin Houghton.
Van Niekerk and Snyman had ended the first day in fourth position, after a solid, drama-free performance.
By the end of the second day the Van Niekerk/Snyman duo had stamped their authority on the event, as they sought to put time between themselves and the following pack. In the process they also closed the gap to the rally winners – Leeroy Poulter and Elvene Coetzee – to just 20 seconds.
“It has been a fantastic day and a fantastic rally for us,” said an elated Van Niekerk. “As it progressed we focussed harder and harder on just getting the best out of ourselves and the car and tried not to pay attention to what was going on around us in terms of stage times, and where we were lying overall. We just drove as hard as we could.”
A set-up change made on Friday morning after the first stage of the event also stood them in good stead and the car was impeccable throughout, despite conditions which caught out many competitors during the compact, 155 km event. Despite a few drops of rain on the second day, the dust was a further challenge and occasionally reduced visibility.
“This event has been one of those where everything has come together. We’ve driven well, the car has been perfect, and we’ve had a bit of luck when we needed it. The New Africa Developments team has come of age this weekend, and we’re ready to take on the remainder of the season with new energy!” enthused Van Niekerk.
En route to second place overall Van Niekerk/Snyman never finished outside the top five in terms of stage times, and on the second day they were never outside the top three. They won two stages and were second-fastest in a further three.
A haul of 21 points almost doubles their tally year to date, and sets them up for a strong performance in the remaining three events, the next of which takes place in the Western Cape in the middle of September.