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 | ABSA 2010: South African Sun City 400 Rally as tough as ever.
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The Sun City 400 is traditionally one of the toughest events on the South African Absa Off Road Championship calendar, and this year’s race on July 16 and 17 will be no different.
The Pilanesberg race signals the end of a lengthy break in Absa series proceedings for the Fifa World Cup, and the off road community will be raring to go. Normally round five of the Absa Off Road Championship the Sun City 400, because of reshuffles to the calendar to accommodate landowners and weather conditions, is this year round four of the championship.
"The slight reshuffle of dates does not mean the race is going to be any easier," said race director Adri Roets. "Competitors can expect another varied and interesting route that will take in bushveld, rocky sections and river crossings.
"We have made one or two changes here and there but, by and large, the route is much the same as last year with the varied terrain a challenge for crews. There hasn’t been much rain at this time of year, so conditions are likely to be a little more dusty than is usual."
The Donaldson Prologue on July 16 to determine grid positions for the race will be run over 60 kilometres. This is shorter than the norm so far this season and follows feedback from competitors, while the race will be run over two loops of 190 kilometres.
The Sun City 400 has twice in the last three years been voted event of the year on the Absa Off Road Championship calendar, and is once again spectator friendly. With Sun City, an internationally renowned holiday resort that offers a wide range of entertainment and relaxation activities, within easy reach of Gauteng, Limpopo and North West locations the organisers expect large crowds of enthusiasts.
"Once again we have had excellent co-operation from the Royal Bafokeng kingdom and the route is more than spectator friendly," said Roets. "There are 13 spectator points all within easy access of the Sun City complex and they offer enthusiasts a variety of close up action."
Race headquarters, the start and finish and the designated service point will all be at the Sun City complex. The Donaldson prologue will start at 11h30 on July 16 with the race scheduled to start at 08h00 on July 17. Public entry to the start/finish, the designated service area and the spectator points along the route is free of charge.
2010/07/08 | 13:53 CET | Editor: MR/HS/FORTUNE
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