The 2017 SA National Rally Championship season starts on Friday when the Tour Natal Rally kicks off Friday afternoon. It is the first round of the SA National Rally Championship and the first rally in the new S1600 format. The rally has been organised by the Natal Motorcycle and Motorcar Club.
The new format attracted 30 entries, but the number of entries in the championship R2 class is disappointing. The Clerk of the Course is Rikus Fourie, who is also the chairman of the National Rally Commission Steering Committee for the new approach to rallying in South Africa.
The event will consist of three classes. The main class that will count toward the national rally championship will be for 2WD s1600 cars. Altogether six cars have been entered in this class with Guy Botteril in a Toyota Etios R2, Richard Leeke 111, in a Ford Fiesta R2, and AC Potgieter in a Volkswagen R2 among the favourites to win this class.
The classic class has attracted seven entries, while the open class is represented by two entries.
The organisers have also allowed a class for off-road competitors. Altogether six motorcycles have entered and one car.
Die event will consist of bike stage with as total 140km stage kilometers. It will start and finish in Scottburgh on the Natal South Coast.