Swakop rally records tight finishes
There were only two seconds separating first and second place in the CR 3 class of the Swakopmund national rally championship this past weekend, a testament to just how tight the contest was. Siblings Mathys and Anja Pretorius out performed couple Ruan and Suelize Viviers, giving spectators what they came for. While 16 out of […] The post Swakop rally records tight finishes appeared first on The Namibian.
Black News 
There were only two seconds separating first and second place in the CR 3 class of the Swakopmund national rally championship this past weekend, a testament to just how tight the contest was.
Siblings Mathys and Anja Pretorius out performed couple Ruan and Suelize Viviers, giving spectators what they came for.
While 16 out of 14 vehicles crossed the finish line, some had to navigate significant technical and mechanical challenges en route, but as they say: ‘A finish in any rally is a finish’.
The organiser from the Walvis Bay Motor Club, rally driver Wido Bartsch, says the event was a success, adding that despite the technical glitches, most cars made it to the end.
Driver Zachary Martin managed to finish the rally with what Bartsch describes as “the renowned Zachary way of fighting back after entering under the Super Rally rule”.
Defending team Ekko Eisenberg and Horazio ‘Rassie’ Rietz also experienced hiccups. They managed to reach the end, but not without losing valuable minutes and points.
Other rally drivers that had a mishap were the Pretorius siblings who had to deal with an apparent broken side shaft.
Bartsch says despite some classes, like S4 and S2 where only one car entered, the rest of the classes were well represented.
His son, Stefan Bartsch, and his navigator, Alexa Montagu-Freyer, did the unimaginable with their first rally and took the honours in the Class S1.
With the Swakopmund rally over, the 56th Tara is next on the time sheet and will take place from 11 to 13 June.
Results:
S Class Overall
First: Wido Bartsch and Raymond Fourie (Toyota Yaris)
Second: Stefan Bartsch and Montagu-Fryer (VW Polo)
Third: Kai Pretorius and Oliver Pretorius (Toyota Corolla)
Overall CR Class:
First: Mathys Pretorius and Anja Pretorius (Renault Duster)
Second: Ruaan Viviers and Suelize Viviers (Century CR6)
Third: Werner Bartsch and Christel Fourie (Landrover Defender)
S class:
S4: Wido Bartsch and Raymond Fourie.
S1
First: Bartsch and Montagu-Fryer
Second: Kai and Oliver Pretorius
Third: Donovan Vermaak and Jacobus van Zyl
CR 1:
First: SJ Schoeman and Chane Havenga
Second: Rossouw Bezuidenhout and Michael Maritz
Third: Ekko Eisenberg and Rassie Rietz
CR 2
First: Werner Bartsch and Christel Fourie
Second: Stefan Bartsch and Montagu-Fryer
Third: Stefan Labuschagne and Rene Botha
Bartsch thanks sponsors like Puma Energy, Ford and EPC, while also expressing appreciation to the officials and marshals for their vital roles during the day.
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