Innovative Vredefort Super Sprint 200 will be a carnival affair It will be a case of ‘and now for something completely different’ when the Donaldson Cross Country Motor Racing Championship heads for the Free State town of Vredefort for the 200 kilometre Super Sprint, round two of the national series, on May 7.
The one day event is an innovative newcomer to the Donaldson calendar, and adds a touch of variety to the normal menu of 450 kilometre sprint races, longer 700 kilometre endurance events and a lone 1000 kilometre marathon race in Botswana. As the Super Sprint 200 tag would suggest, the race will be run over two 100 kilometre loops with no qualifying event to determine grid positions.
The start order will be via the national seeding list and, according to race director Adri Roets, competitors can expect a typical Highveld route with flat and twisty sections and some minor river crossings. After a dry summer season the compact course will also be on the dusty side.
“The whole route is easily accessible from Vredefort, Parys, the university city of Potchefstroom and Kroonstad,” said Roets. “The event is also a comfortable drive from Gauteng and has elicited a great deal of interest from the local communities.
“Once again we have had tremendous support from local authorities, traffic officials and landowners and it is shaping up as a fun weekend with some spectacular racing.”
Apart from the business of national championship motor racing, SANORA intend turning the event into a family fun outing with a carnival atmosphere. With this in mind a number of extramural activities have been included on the agenda for the day.
“National championship motor racing is a serious business, but we also want to highlight the friendly and family orientated atmosphere that is an integral part of the Donaldson championship,” said SANORA chief executive officer Siegfried Rousseau. “This is an event that fits that job description.”
The race will start at 09h30 and at the end of the first of the two loops enthusiasts will have a number of opportunities to interact with teams in the fan zone before the race restarts at 13h30. These include meeting drivers and navigators at poster signing sessions, chatting to cross country crews who shone on the Dakar Rally, spot prizes at cross country quiz sessions and more.
“The concept where the fans can interact with competitors and get close to the cars has had a great reception from teams and our partners in the Donaldson series,” said Rousseau. “For us it is the perfect opportunity to showcase our sport to a wider audience.”
Race headquarters, the start/finish, designated service park and fan zone will all be located on the farm Witwal on the outskirts of Vredefort. A variety of refreshments will be available, and public access to these areas and easily accessible designated spectator points along the route will be free of charge.
An added bonus for enthusiasts sees the race run in conjunction with round three of the Northern Regions Cross Country Championship. The regional race will start immediately after the last of the national entries has left the start area