Round four of this year’s Sasol National Rally Championship marks the halfway point in this year’s championship fight. The Total International Rally starts on 29 May in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.
Team Ford Racing will be looking to build on their progress at the coming event. Having joined the National Rally Championship fight at the start of the season the team has been focusing on development of its three Ford entries.
Heading the teams challenge will be Etienne Lourens and Elvéne Coetzee in their N3 Ford Fiesta ST. The pair has already demonstrated the pace of the Fiesta ST and will be aiming to translate that pace in to strong results.
“The N3 class is open to cars with standard engines and gearboxes up to 2000cc. Roll-over protection, upgraded shocks and springs and racing seats are the only modifications allowed to the cars. 5-point seat belts are also compulsory and the team has to wear crash helmets. An approved, modified computer is also used because of the special requirements of a rally environment,” explains team manager, Roger Rouessart.
Martin Steyn and Van Aardt Schoeman, piloting the sister Fiesta ST will also be hoping for a strong showing. Steyn and Schoeman are still learning the ropes having joined the National rally scene at the start of the season.
Completing the line-up of Ford competitors will be Tony Barbosa and navigator Ian McKenzie in their Class A5 1.3-litre Ford Ka. Barbosa and McKenzie will be looking for a trouble free run in their Ford Ka and hoping to score some championship points.
“We’re now at the halfway point in the championship and we are confident of scoring some strong finishes in the second half of the season,” continues Rouessart. “Etienne and Elvéne have led on various occasions with their progress unfortunately being interrupted with teething problems. However I am confident that our patience and hard work will be rewarded with a win in due course.”
