PROMISING START FOR SA EARTHWORKS RALLY TEAM

Looking back on "The Total"

The Total Rally, the opening round of the National Rally Championship may not have ended the way the SA Earthworks Team would have liked but the signs are encouraging that the new team of Nic van der Westhuizen and co-driver Stefan Cilliers have the ability to go head-to-head for the Super 2000 Challenge championship.

After a day of drama on the South Coast that saw several top factory drivers caught out in the tricky conditions run in sweltering heat, Van Der Westhuizen and Cilliers ended their first day 4th in class and 10th overall after a trouble-free day, covering 48½ km of hot action over 5 stages after the organizers were forced to cancel two speed tests.

The SA Earthworks pair was locked in a fierce battle with rivals Morne Janse Van Rensburg in a Volkswagen Polo that spilled over into the cooler day two.  Van Der Westhuizen had an overnight lead of just over two minutes at the end of the duel.

The opening stage on Saturday was cancelled after another incident so the teams headed to "Montevideo" for the resumption of their showdown.

Van Der Westhuizen took a wrong turn and got lost in the tall sugar cane plantations, narrowly avoiding an accident in the process.  Their lead was reduced to just 6 seconds after their "moment".  Determined to defend, Van Der Westhuizen gave it his all in stage 10 but over cooked a corner and rolled his Toyota Auris gently in the canefield.

Danie and Debby Van Der Westhuizen, owners of SA Earthworks made their national debut in a Class 1600 (front-wheel drive) Ford Fiesta R2.  After steadying their nerves, the pair completed their rally in 20th place, earning a championship point for their consistency.

From the cockpit:

Nic Van Der Westhuizen said:  "Our objective was to bring the car home and day one ended according to our plan.  I had some handling issues but it was a good day.  I probably overdrove trying to keep Morne at bay and went wide into a corner.

A rear tyre went into the ditch and for 3 seconds, the car was deciding which way to fall.  Unfortunately it went over onto the roof.  Damage is light – really cosmetic, but our rally was over.

My first experience of Super 2000 is amazing.  I love the car and the grip is has.  I can't wait to get back out there".

Team Manager Rod Hering said: "We had a de-brief after the rally.  The shortcomings of a new driver/co-driver crew were very apparent.  Nic has competed for two years and needs an experienced navigator to help him pace the event.    Stefan has only done a few rallies so we will put a programme of events together for him to gain more experience as part of an intensive training programme.

The team will be back in action on the Sasol Rally in Mpumulanga from 19th to 20th April.

The SA Earthworks Team acknowledges their associate sponsors Construction Tyres High Power Equipment and Nguni Voyager (www.ngunivoyager.co.za)