H&H-174

CoverCover GROBLER POWERS TO GROBLER POWERS TO ANOTHER STRONG WINANOTHER STRONG WIN

Service ParkService ParkISSUE 174 • 17 MAR 2011ISSUE 174 • 17 MAR 2011 http://wp.me/pkXchttp://wp.me/pkXc

New SA rally teams, P6

BRC and Irish rally news

USA rallying snippets

WRC and IRC news updates

Start RampStart Ramp

WRCWRCnewnew

ToE, P16TTTTTToTTTTTTJanice Moore chats, P13

Pons to enter IRC rallies, P11

USAUSAsnisni

OR, P12R, P12OOOOOOROOOOOParc FermeParc Ferme

HairpinsHairpinsyour insight into the world of rallyingyour insight into the world of rallying&&HandbrakesHandbrakes

Kopecky rallies more, P5

Peugeot 207s in SA, P10

Global Rallycross, P12

WRC Academy news, P4

Welcome to issue 174 of HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS, your FREE weekly insight into the world of rallying.

Yours in Rallying,

Evan and Eva

Welcome to H&H!

04 News

06 FeaturesWelcome, Sasol Rally Team!Exciting season for Mark and JonFast and Fearless: Ashley Haigh-SmithPeugeot 207 S2000s ready for SA stagesNew Fiesta RS WRC for The Rally ShowPons to enter IRCGronholm to compete in Global RallycrossJanice Moore interviewed

06

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Contact

Editor Evan Rothman

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07

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Start Ramp - News ShortsKopecky to rally in CzechFan Foto Framed

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14 EventsAdenco 400 reviewMERC Kuwait Int’l Rally reviewARC Zimbabwe Challenge Rally reviewTour of Epynt review

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Photojournalist Eva Kovkova

Contributors RallyBuzz, Motorpics, Newspress.

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THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF RALLYING

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<< Watch the trailer that was shown at the Geneva Motor Show to get you in the mood for the MINI WRC Team’s outings in the FIA World Rally Championship: http://wp.me/ppkXc-2Hv

At the top of each page, a tabbed section contains video clicks we recommend viewing. In other tabbed sections, we have linked articles posted on our website that will add more perspective and insight into the article it accompanies. Together with the videos, HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS aims to offer readers a fully-interactive reading experience.

Send [email protected] your favourite rally-related videos to to be featured in this section. Or, send us a twitter to @Evan_Rothman or a message on Facebook.

THIS WEEK’S BEST VIDEO

START RAMPSTART RAMPTeam & Event News Videos Fan Foto Framed

The FIA WRC Academy completed a three-day Induction Programme for its competitors at M-Sport in Cumbria. Thirty-four drivers and co-drivers from 14 countries participated in the event, ahead of Round One, Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which takes place from 24 - 28 March. The sessions offered the drivers a chance to familiarise themselves with the Ford Fiesta R2 rally car and Pirelli tyres with which they’ll contest six rounds of the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship, as well as offering classroom tutorials on topics including professionalism, goal setting, media, nutrition and fi tness. Explaining the importance of both on and off-stage preparation to a rally driver’s career, WRC Academy Principal Marc de Jong said, “The WRC Academy is a world class competition, mixed with education and training for drivers up to 24 years of age. In rallying, experience is very important and these guys are at a really early stage of their career. Many are graduating from national championships and these are their fi rst steps at WRC level. We want to

Words: Staff Writer

FIA WRC ACADEMY READY TO GO

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The 2011 season-opening BRC event the Rallye Sunseeker was as thrilling as expected, and provided many thrills and spills for the rally enthusiasts to soak up. Video clips are used courtesy of “almostmarvellous”, audio clips are from www.rallybrc.co.uk and pictures are from Jakob Ebrey Photography for http://www.rallybrc.co.uk.

Words: Staff WriterPicture: Evan Rothman

BRC RALLYE SUNSEEKER H&H RALLY REPORT

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help them prepare for the WRC Academy season and give them a good foundation to build their talent. That’s why this Induction Programme isn’t just about driving, but included many other aspects as well.” Robert Reid, 2001 World Rally Champion co-driver and director of ESP, delivered a talk on the importance of planning and goal setting: “Some of the WRC Academy drivers might have felt a bit like they were back at school for the day, but the smartest drivers who take all the advice on board and work with it will soon see the benefi ts.” By the end of the day session, the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation among the excited WRC Academy ‘Class of 2011’. At only 17 years old, Miko-Ove Niinemae can’t believe he’s already found himself on the fi rst rung of the WRC ladder, even proclaiming the Fiesta, “[t]he best R2 car I’ve driven. I think my favourite thing is the handling. It’s steady on the road, not nervous.” Other drivers focused on the benefi t of the theory sessions with Dutchman Timo van der Marel chipping in: “I learned how important it was to identify weaknesses and make a plan to turn them into strengths.” But perhaps the clearest message came through when fellow Aussies and Pirelli Star Drivers Brendan Reeves and Molly Taylor were asked to say the fi rst thing that came into their heads when they heard the phrase ‘WRCAcademy’ and chimed in uncanny unison “great opportunity”. The fi rst round of

the WRC Academy gets underway at Vodafone Rally de Portugal on Thursday 24 March 2011.

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Issue 174 • 17 Mar 2011Issue 174 • 17 Mar 2011

FAN FOTO FRAMEDGot a great shot from a rally? Send your favourite rally photograph to [email protected] to be featured here!Picture by Bruce Belcher.

Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC) title contender Jan Kopecký is set to get more stage time than some of his rivals this season after it was confi rmed that the Czech would tackle a handful of his national championship events alongside his IRC campaign. The 29-year-old, runner-up in the IRC for the past two seasons and Czech champion in 2004, will drive a Škoda Motorsport Fabia Super 2000 alongside regular navigator Petr Starý, starting with the Wallachia Rally at the end of March. As part of Škoda’s 110 years in motorsport celebrations, Kopecký’s car will incorporate a retro livery design based on the make’s famous 130 RS model of 1977. “We are pleased that our fans at home will have a chance to see the best we can offer – a factory crew in a Fabia Super 2000 appearing in the Czech Republic championship, said Škoda Motorsport boss Michal Hrabánek. “The retro design will make our appearance in the Czech Republic championship even more attractive and exciting, and we are also going to mark this year’s anniversary of Škoda’s motorsport efforts.” Although Škoda has yet to announce Kopecký’s programme for 2011, it has confi rmed the IRC will be his main focus this season.

Words: Staff WriterPicture: IRC Series

KOPECKY TO RALLY IN CZECH

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The South African National Rally Championship was given a tremendous vote of confi dence this week when fuel giant Sasol launched its new rally team in a glitzy affair in Pretoria, Gauteng. Committed to a three-year programme, the Sasol Rally Team will be aiming for podium results straight-out-of-the-box in the season’s opening event next weekend in KwaZulu-Natal. A team of highly-skilled individuals, with an international fl avour, will be involved in ensuring the success of this programme, and with young drivers Mark Cronje/

Robin Houghton and Jon Williams/Cobus Vrey, this team have signalled their intent on claiming the Privateers’ Championship for 2011. What makes their effort all the more signifi cant is that the crews will be piloting state-of-the-art Ford Fiesta S2000s. Sasol is a leading fuels and technology company, and with the Ford Fiesta S2000 proving a winning machine in international and local events, thrown-in with win-hungry rally crews and the Sasol Rally Team will be a force to be reckoned with. At the launch function, it was with great surprise that Markko Martin, he of the World Rally Championship fame, and Paul Tuner, a mover and

shaker in the international motorsport industry and a highly respected talent in the World Rally Championship, were on hand to welcome in the new crews and team. Sasol, Ford and its newest rally crews formed a team with the makings of success. With testing of their just-arrived machines only hours before the launch function, the crews will be testing and familiarising themselves with their new speed machines in the days leading up to the fi rst rally next weekend. The rest of the South African rally establishment will need to keep a close eye on these young guns once they are up to speed later in the season!

Words: Evan RothmanPictures: Evan Rothman

WELCOME, SASOL RALLY TEAM!

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In a session of interview questions from the fl oor at the Sasol Rally Team launch this week, a most telling answer came form the following question: Which of the manufacturer teams will be the strongest this season? It was Mark Cronje who proffered his opinion: “What other guys?” The Sasol Rally Team comprises young yet highly talented and experienced crews. Together with backing from Sasol and rally-winning Ford Fiesta S2000s in their garages, it is no surprise the near-bullish response from Cronje. This fi ghting talk is not to be misconstrued for arrogance, but is undoubtedly confi dence. Mark Cronje last year piloted a Toyota Auris S2000 of the Castrol Toyota factory team, but after six of the eight-event calendar decided to back out of the team. Since then he has been working tirelessly securing this new team and his new steed. He is a rally winner, and a mighty fast driver. Calling the notes will be the charismatic Robin Houghton, also of great experience and expertise in the co-driver’s seat.

Three questions to Mark Cronje:H&H: Congratulations on the launch of your new team! It’s very exciting for you and Robin Houghton this

season. What do you think of your new rally car?MC: This is a rally car built for driving at ten-tenths. I have my best shot at winning the Championship with this car.H&H: You used a recent regional event as a shakedown. How did that go?MC: We took the event not to test out pace, but to feel the car and learn its ins-and-outs. As a pairing, Robin and I are on the pace. We’re great friends in and out of the car, and that helps a great deal.H&H: What can we expect from you this season?MC: It’ll take us a few stages to get into it, and being realistic we hope to be running with the leaders this event. For the future, podiums and wins are on the menu.

Jon Williams was selected for the inaugural Pirelli Star Driver campaign, tackling six rounds of the World Rally Championship in 2009. Proving to be the most consistent of the fi ve drivers, Williams notched up a series of impressive results in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. Before that, he powered a Volkswagen Polo S2000 to regular top eight fi nishes in the South African National Rally Championship, and he too can easily be described as one of the quickest drivers in South Africa.

Three questions to Jon Williams:

H&H: Its fantastic to see you back in a rally car!JW: It’s been hard work to get us to this point. I came back from the PWRC and Pirelli Star Driver to compete here last year, but couldn’t secure a drive in time for the season. The Sasol support and the Ford Fiesta S2000 we’ve got are most probably the most competitive package out there. I can’t wait to get to the sugarcane fi eld roads in KwaZulu-Natal.H&H: What are your expectations for Round One?JW: I’ve not even driven an S2000 for over two and half years, and not been in a rally car for over a year, so I am realistic in my expectations: I aim to be in the top fi ve.H&H: What will be your key areas to concentrate on this year?JW: We’ll be going out to win the Privateers Championship this season, and I think we have a good chance of that. Our competition will be very strong, as last year’s championship showed it to be very tight at the front of the fi eld. We’ll be aiming for strong fi nishes and good points. Wins are not out of the question!

There are no team orders, but their only directive is to not chase each other in stages. The other 18 Super S2000 crews will be vying for wins too, making this one of the most anticipated seasons in South African rallying history!

Words: Evan RothmanPictures: Evan Rothman

EXCITING SEASON FOR MARK AND JON

H&H

Rallye des Route Du Nord 2011:http://wp.me/ppkXc-2Ha


South African rally fans need no introduction to this rising rally star. With his schooling fi nished, with him passing his Matric examinations with fl ying colours in December and wrapping up the Class A5 National title in 2010, he is moving up a step to continue his rally education. Hello, Ashley Haigh-Smith! In my humble opinion, this driver is going about mounting a rally career in the proper way: his CV already lists a number of podium fi nishes in the hotly contested Western Cape Regional Rally Championhip and of course his successes at national level too. The Capetonian driver started off in the lowest Class, learnt the basics of rallying, the complexities of strategies and gained experience under stressful battles for position. These have paid off: he won his fi rst event outright last year, the youngest in South African rallying

history. Now for 2011, Ashley Haigh-Smith and co-driver Hilton Auffray will contest Class A6 in the impressive Ford Fiesta R2. This, the fi rst right-hand drive model to be built by M-Sport in Cumbria, UK, has already taken to a regional rally in the Western Cape with Haigh-Smith and Auffray showcasing this car’s pace and agility through the twisties. The aims of this driver? To win, and to win in a straight-out battle; to work for each victory and point; and, to gain as much confi dence in his machine beneath him and grow as a rally driver. Why? To be crowned South African Rally Champion in the future. And this, I am positive about, is most attainable by this dedicated and determined driver. New to South African rally fans is the Ford Fiesta R2. Here follows a brief technical specifi cation of this rally car:

Donor vehicle: Ford Fiesta 1.6 Sport/Zetec S. Model dated from September 2008 for

purchase from any source.

Engine: 1.6 Zetec 16V – 1598cc – Ti-VCT; 4 cylinders in line; DOHC; 16 valves; alloy cylinder head and block; variable cam timing.

Power: 170 PS @ 7,500 rpm from 97 octane fuel

Torque: 182 Nm @ 5,700 rpmTransmission: Five speed sequential gearbox developed by Sadev with plated limited slip differential and uprated driveshafts. ECU developed by Pi with fl at shift feature with full throttle closed loop control shift.

Suspension: Reiger adjustable dampers with Eibach springs, spherical jointed top mounts front and rear. Front dampers adjustable for bump and rebound. Standard rear beam with uprated mounts. 2-bolt

Words: Evan RothmanPictures: Evan Rothman and M-Sport

FAST AND FEARLESS: ASHLEY HAIGH-SMITH


Peugeot Sport Portugal Test – Bruno Magalhães/Paulo Grave:http://wp.me/ppkXc-2H6


clamped front upright. Adaptor pin mounted in uprights with spherical bearing connecting the lower arm. Five stud hub.

Brakes: Gravel (front): 285 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers.Asphalt (front): 310 mm AP ventilated discs with four piston competition calipers.Rear: 280 mm AP ventilated discs with single piston calipers.Hydraulic handbrake.

Steering: Electric power-assisted steering.

Wheels:Gravel: OZ 6”x15” GravelAsphalt: OZ 6.5”x16” Asphalt

Bodyshell:Welded T45 steel multipoint rollcage. Optimised seat position and integrated dash bar. Jacking points optional and seam welding is permitted.

Electronics:Bespoke instrument cluster by Visteon

in the same style as the standard series cluster.

Dimensions:Length: 3953mm. Width: 1722mm. Height: 1481mm. Wheelbase: 2490mm. Weight: 1030kg.

This season HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS will bring reports and news to you, dear readers, of this young driver and co-driver as they tackle the most demanding stages South Africa has to offer. H&H


Race Retro 2011 action of the Group B rally cars:http://wp.me/ppkXc-2GJ



Peugeot Sport Portugal Test – Bruno Magalhães/Paulo Grave:http://wp.me/ppkXc-2H6


Team Pirtek Peugeot drivers Hein Lategan and Visser du Plessis will add a new dimension to the South African Rally Championship for 2011 with their choice of the Peugeot 207 S2000 to contest the series. Du Plessis will run a 207 purchased from a team based in Portugal, while Lategan has purchased a new 207 S2000 Evolution kit from Peugeot Sport in France. The entry of Peugeot under the Team Pirtek Peugeot banner lifts the number of vehicle brands represented in South African rallying to four in what has become one of the most closely contested national rally championships in the world. It is anticipated that there could be as many as 20 S2000 cars competing in each of the eight rounds of the championship and with any one of the four makes represented capable of winning every time out. Pirtek, the global hydraulic hose and fi ttings company, enter their fi fth year of involvement in the South African National Rally championship. Having spent three years in N4, and bagging

one championship title with Visser Du Plessis, the Pirtek team entered S2000 in 2010 with a two car team including Hein Lategan. CEO of Pirtek, Brendan Goss, says, “We are extremely excited about the 2011 season with the inclusion of the Peugeot S2000 cars.” The Peugeot 207 was homologated for S2000 rallying by the FIA in 2007 and since that time has proved itself to be a strong contender and favourite amongst competitors. Hein Lategan’s car is the 96th unit delivered to an international customer. A strong contender in national and regional championships, the performance of Peugeot 207 S2000 has made its mark in the International Rally Challenge, a fi ercely competitive international rally series that includes the famous Monte Carlo Rally. Peugeot is a three-time winner in the IRC with series victories in 2007, 2008, and 2009. A unique aspect of the IRC is that it does not allow the participation of factory-supported teams with the focus rather on professional, but independent competitors. It is in this environment that Peugeot Sport has developed an extensive customer support infrastructure to back up its customers.

An example of this is the secondment of a Peugeot Sport engineer to Team Pirtek Peugeot to assist with the preparation of the vehicles for their debut in South Africa at the Total Tour Natal Rally on the 25 - 26 March. This competitor model will be followed in South Africa with Team Pirtek Peugeot operating as a fully independent privateer team. Together with the technical backup provided by Peugeot Sport in France, Peugeot South Africa will provide a degree of marketing support and PR for the programme. “Hein and Visser’s choice of Peugeot for their South African Rally Championship challenge is an exciting opportunity for Peugeot South Africa to gain representation in South African motorsport,” says Peugeot South Africa’s managing director, Jean Francois Bacos. “While this does not represent an offi cial involvement in the championship by Peugeot the programme has the full blessing of both Peugeot Sport in France and Peugeot South Africa where we will be assisting where we can with marketing, PR and promotional activities linked to the team.”

Words: Staff WriterPictures: Peugeot South Africa

PEUGEOT 207 S2000S READY FOR SA STAGES

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Race Retro 2011 action of the Group B rally cars:http://wp.me/ppkXc-2GJ


The Rally Show is delighted to confi rm that M-Sport’s World Championship-leading Ford Fiesta RS will make its fi rst UK appearance of 2011 at Cornbury Park 14 – 15 May. Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport Managing Director said: “The Ford Fiesta RS WRC is M-Sport’s new car designed in collaboration with Ford of Europe. It has had a dream start to 2011 with a podium clean sweep at the FIA World Rally Championship in Sweden, followed by a double podium at Rally Mexico. We can’t wait to bring it to The Rally Show at Cornbury Park, where visitors and rally fans will get a chance to see the car close up.” Malcolm Neill, The Rally Show Managing Director adds: “I recently saw the new 1.6Litre Turbo World Rally Cars in action at Rally Mexico, they sound better, and on some stages were putting in faster times than the old 2 Litre Turbo cars. M-Sport is a long-time supporter of The Rally Show and the Fiesta’s sure to be a highlight of the weekend. We are very excited that it is coming

to Cornbury Park”. The driver will be revealed soon. Other rally stars that will be in action at the show include Gwyndaff Evans, with former World Champion Phil Mills as his co-driver, Jimmy McRae, Russell Brookes and Porsche legend Vic Elford. Local driver Simon Mauger is bringing his remarkable Mk 2 Escort to the event, and stunt driver Terry Grant will also be entertaining the crowds. The Rally Show is taking place for the fi rst time in 2011 at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, the family home of Lord and Lady Rotherwick. Lady Rotherwick said: “We are delighted to be hosting The Rally Show at Cornbury Park. For many years we hosted the Network Q RAC Rally, and can’t wait to bring live action motorsport to the estate once more. It will be a fabulous weekend for all the family.”

Words: Staff WriterPictures: WorldRallyPics

NEW FIESTA RS WRC IN ACTION AT THE RALLY SHOW

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Xevi Pons will enter an Intercontinental Rally Challenge round in a Super 2000 car for the fi rst time when he contests Rally Islas Canarias El Corte Ingles next month in what his team manager Luis Moya has said will be a step into the unknown. The 31-year-old Pons will drive an M-Sport Ford Fiesta S2000 for the Nupel Estrella Galicia squad, which is managed by Moya, a multiple rally-winning co-driver. Although Pons will be focusing on the Spanish championship, which is running in tandem with the IRC qualifi er, the Spaniard will nevertheless be eligible for IRC points. “We won’t know for another two weeks when we have our fi rst Spanish championship event what our level will be against the other drivers from Spain and with our new tyres,” said Moya. “And for the IRC we really don’t know all the drivers yet so it is diffi cult to say how Xevi will do.” Moya continued: “It can rain on the rally but normally it doesn’t, which makes it quite a simple rally in terms of the tyres and set-up but strong in terms of the competition.” The Nupel team has a proven track record on Rally Islas Canarias. When the event was included on the IRC schedule for the fi rst time last season, Sergio Vallejo fi nished eighth overall in a Fiesta S2000 while Yeray Lemes took the IRC 2WD Cup honours in an M-Sport Ford Fiesta R2. Rally Islas Canarias runs from 14-16 April and counts as round two of the 12-event IRC season.

Words: Staff WriterPicture: M-Sport

PONS TO ENTER IRC

H&H


“The Legend is Back”:http://wp.me/ppkXc-2Hv


Two-time World Rally Champion Marcus Grönholm will travel to the United States to compete in the fi rst round of the Global RallyCross Championship: The Revolution, taking place 25 - 26 March at Irwindale Speedway on the outskirts of Los Angeles. Grönholm, who will pilot a 600-hp all-wheel drive Best Buy-sponsored Ford Fiesta in the contest, joins a list of top-ranked international motorsport and action sport stars racing in the Global RallyCross Championship. Also planning to compete are three-time X Games Rally gold medalist Tanner Foust in his Ford Fiesta, Rhys Millen and fi ve-time British Rally Champion Marcus Dodd in Hyundai Veloster rallycross cars, and Subaru Rally Team USA’s Dave Mirra in a Subaru WRX STI. “Rallycross is good fun, with a lot of cars running at the same time,” said Grönholm. “It’s quite different from rally, but it’s excellent to come to the USA and it feels nice to be involved again with the team.” In addition to two World Rally Championship titles (2000, 2002), the legendary Finnish driver also won the 2002 Race of Champions and earned the Nations’ Cup at the contest in 2006. He also took on the 2009 Pike’s Peak

International Hill Climb in a similarly prepared Ford Fiesta and will be reunited with the Olsbergs MSE team for this event. “We are thrilled that Best Buy, the world’s largest electronics retailer, is working with Marcus Grönholm who has conquered the rally world twice,” said Mark Williams, president of Best Buy Financial Services. Drivers in the Global RallyCross Championship are vying for a chance to win the fi rst-ever series title – and a chance to earn an invitation to X Games 17 Rally competitions held in downtown Los Angeles this July. Two-wheel drive entries also have a shot at a $5,000 prize purse to benefi t grassroots competitors at the contest. The series will benefi t from a multi-year programming relationship with ESPN, with Global RallyCross Championship broadcasts slated to follow NASCAR Nationwide and NHRA shows on ESPN and ESPN2 with live event streaming on ESPN3. Racing this month will take place on an inventive dirt and tarmac track confi guration on the speedway oval. The highlight of the course is a huge gap jump that will see competition cars fl y 70-feet through the air. This is the fi rst time a gap jump has ever been included in rallycross competition outside the X Games environment. “We’re thrilled that Marcus

Grönholm will join us for the fi rst round of Global RallyCross Championship,” said series co-founder Chip Pankow. “We are building a truly international series featuring top talent from around the world.” In addition to the fi erce door-to-door rallycross competition at Irwindale, drivers will also be available for autograph sessions and a vendor midway will offer further entertainment for fans. Tickets are just $25 for two days of racing, are available at global-rallycross.com. Fans can also fi nd the series on Facebook (facebook.com/GlobalRallyCross) and Twitter (twitter.com/GlobalRallyX) to sign up for a chance to win tickets and other prizes. Competitors will next travel to a rural-industrial complex outside of Seattle, WA, for Round Two: Twin Peaks (15 - 16 April), and meet again in Colorado at the Pikes Peak International Raceway for Round Three: Last Chance (17 - 18 June). Invitations for X Games Rally events will be announced soon after the conclusion of the third and fi nal round of the 2011 series. The RallyCar organization will sanction the Global RallyCross Championship events. Competitors in the Global RallyCross Championship may also elect to score points in U.S. Rallycross Championship events.

Words: Staff WriterPictures: Ford of Europe

GRONHOLM TO COMPETE IN GLOBAL RALLYCROSS

H&H


Ken Block jumps over Colin’s Crest Arena jump at WRC Rally Sweden 2011: http://wp.me/ppkXc-2zc


In her second event since taking a short maternity break from the co-driver’s seat, saw Janice Moore tackle the demanding asphalt stages of the Tour of Epynt with driver Mark Ellis and his Subaru Impreza. Running as high as 24th despite a spin on SS2, their stage times over the remaining fi ve speed tests were very competitive. An unfortunate gearbox gremlin at the end of the last stage meant the pairing was unable to reach the fi nish ramp and were therefore not registered as offi cial fi nishers. HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINS caught up with Janice after the event for an interview:H&H: How did you see your fi rst event with Mark Ellis pan out?Janice Moore: Mark and I knew each other from when I co-drove for Nick Cristofaro back in 2009, so that made life a little easier sitting with a friend rather than a stranger. I hadn’t done any events on notes since coming second overall on the Tempest Rally in 2009, and then there wasn’t a recce for this event so I was really nervous in the build-up to the fi rst stage. Overall, I think the team-time in the car went well. There were, of course, moments that we could have done without, like a spin and stall at one of the hairpins. I made a few mistakes on the notes, but at the end of the day we agreed to continue the season together as planed. This fi rst event was a test to see how we got on. I still can’t believe our luck ran out at the end of SS7. We literally almost completed the last jump of the stage when a clunk was heard as the

car landed. We limped to the marshals and got our time, but it was decided we couldn’t complete the road section to the fi nish ramp.

H&H: World Rally Cars dominated the battle at the front of the rally. However, throughout the fi eld there were Class and Category tussles. Who were you and Mark targeting to beat?JM: Class position was always going to be important for the Championship points, so we needed to stay ahead or at least maintain top three of all Class B13 competitors.

H&H: Drivers have different pace note styles. Was his a different one you had to adapt to?JM: Yes, I’d never sat with a driver who used this note style before, but that wasn’t a problem as you can adapt easily especially if you do a recce. Mark had never completed a recce before though, so he was putting a lot of trust in me. The recce itself was a convoy recce, with only two passes over just two stages. The other fi ve stages were sections of the two large stages so there was lots of time spent on paperwork and amending the notes after the event.

H&H: Any humorous in-car moments to share from this event, or any other event?JM: Yes, I made a mistake and called “fi nish” on stage fi ve halfway though the stage. This was because SS5 was a combination of SS1 and 2 together. However, my huge handwritten note to turn over for SS5 was missed by me! Luckily Mark laughed and reminded me to carry on! it was very embarrassing for me, as a few years ago this would never have happened. I guess I’m rustier than

I thought!

H&H: What is your future plan for the season?JM: To stick with Mark on selected rounds of the MSA Tarmac Championship, and perhaps sit with my husband Simon Moore in his Renault Clio again. We came six overall at Croft in January.

H&H: How does it feel to be back in the co-driver’s seat after your maternity break? How do you balance being a co-driver and a baby?JM: I love being back in the seat; I’ve missed the adrenaline, the organising, and the feeling you get when the driver and co-driver work as one in the car. However, it is far more diffi cult than I ever imagined. I had secured two seats for 2010 in August 2009, one sitting with Mark Gamble in his Citroën C2R2 Max for the British Rally Championship and the other seat was sitting with Nick Cristofaro in the Junior F1000 series. I was gutted to let them both down, but I remember telling them both that I’d be straight out again as soon as I was well enough after the birth. It took an extra six months to get back in the car, but the largest change is my outlook on rallying. I used to sit with anyone on any event to get time in the seat, and now I’m far more selective. It’s hard on event too: the sleepless nights to feed the baby before an event is shattering, and I miss the social drink down the pub after the event. Luckily, I’m told the sleepless nights don’t last that long, and when she’s a bit older the grandparents can babysit whilst we are on rallies.

Words: Evan RothmanPictures: Chris Huish/RallySport Media

JANICE MOORE INTERVIEWED: FROM THE TOUR OF EPYNT

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Opening the 2011 South African Off-Road Racing Championship, the Darling, Western Cape-based Adenco 400 event saw the dawn of a new era. Colin Matthews/Alan Smith (CR3) took top honours in the Special Vehicles category while Hannes Grobler/Hennie ter Stege (RFS BMW X3) won the Production Vehicles cateory in fi ne style.

Special Vehicle Category:Century Racing crew Colin Matthews/Alan Smith got a monkey off their backs when they won the Special Vehicle Category at the opening round of this year’s Absa Off Road Championship, the Adenco 400. It was a maiden win for a team previously known as Donaldson Prologue specialists, and provided the Class P brigade with a third overall victory in the National Championship. Matthews/Smith won the Friday prologue to determine start positions, and then dominated the race to fi nish around 08min ahead of the father-and-son combination of Nick and Ryan Harper in the Motorite BAT. For the Harpers it was their fi rst outing in the Motorite team running the premier Class A category. The podium was completed by

the reigning South African Champions Kallie and Quintin Sullwald who overcame a 10min penalty during the Friday prologue to determine start positions for the race. “It was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait,” said a delighted Matthews. “Over the last 80km of the race, we were a little worried about a noise from the back of the car, and eased up a little. “Other than that the prologue and the race were trouble free, and we were left wondering what took us so long to fi nally win an event.” Both the Harpers and the Sullwald’s had solid weekends that augur well for the rest of the season. The Harpers were as steady as ever, while the Sullwald’s again showed an aggressive streak that makes them such tough competitors. “We have messed up this race before, and were determined to make a solid start to the season,” said Harper senior. “It worked out well and it is always nice to get on the podium on debut for a new team.” Reigning Class P champions Johan van Staden/James Rossouw, in the Atlas Copco BAT, also had to overcome a 10min penalty to fi nish fourth overall in their Class A debut. The top fi ve were rounded out by KwaZulu-Natal crew Don Thomson/Wayne Foster,

in another Class P entry with the pair, in an ageing Zarco, were slowed late in the race with a broken radiator pipe. A tough and technical route and intense heat took a heavy toll. A troubled fi rst race in the Total BAT saw Shameer Variawa/Siegfried Rossouw fi nish a lowly 11th and fi fth in Class A, while former South African Champions Evan Hutchison/Danie Stassen were forced to retire the Motorite 4×4 Revo1 with a broken prop shaft. There was also a maiden win in Class B for Keith Makenete/Letlatsa Lehana in a Zarco. After the retirement of the father/daughter combination of Coetzee and Sandra Labuscagne, with the Raysonics Zarco suffering from a gearbox failure, Makenete/Lehana gradually ground down veteran Peter Pfumfei (WPP) who is making a return to national competition this year.

Production Vehicle Category:Veterans Hannes Grobler/Hennie ter Stege made a dream start to the season when they won the Production Vehicle category. Grobler, who is into his 35th year of motor racing, and ter Stege called on all their experience and know-how to dominate the weekend in the diesel-powered RFS BMW X3. The pair won the Donaldson Prologue on Friday to start fi rst on the road, and then closed

Words: Staff WriterPictures: Motorpics

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the door on Thomas Rundle/Juan Mohr to fi nish 05min 30sec ahead of the Barden Nissan Navara. Grobler/Ter Stege lost 03min at the end of the fi rst of two loops that made up the race for prop shaft repairs, while Rundle/Mohr were left to rue two punctures at the same spot on a tough and technical route run in searing heat. After underachieving last season it was, however, an encouraging start for Rundle/Mohr. A surprise result saw former Class E champions Jannie Visser/Joks le Roux score their best ever national result by taking the fi nal podium place in the Team Barberspan Toyota Hilux. Visser is the elder brother of reigning South African champion Chris Visser who had to retire on his debut for the factory Ford Racing team. “Winning the prologue was the key to our victory,” said Grobler. “Hennie and I knew we had to have a good start position to have a chance, and winning the prologue gave us the edge we needed. “A win early in the season is always a boost, and this will lift confi dence levels in the entire team.” A solid performance saw Terence Marsh/George Smalberger fi nish fourth in the ex-factory Regent Racing Nissan Navara with the pair holding off Gary Bertholdt/Andre Vermeulen in the Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux. Repairing broken front differential mountings cost the Atlas Copco crew a wad of time at the end of the fi rst of two loops that

made up the race. With more fancied crews running into problems Louw de Bruin/Riaan Greyling (Ruwacon Ford Ranger), Christiaan du Plooy/Henk Janse van Vuuren (RFS Toyota Hilux) and Malcolm Kok/Johan Burger (Team Barberspan Toyota Hilux) move up the pecking order to grab top eight fi nishes. Among those for whom the weekend turned into a disappointment were Visser/Badenhorst and the two new Team Castrol Toyota Hilux cars. Former Champions Duncan Vos/Rob Howie and Anthony Taylor/Chris Birkin ran into teething problems with the Toyota Hilux double cabs. While Taylor/Birkin eventually had to call it a day, Vos/Howie battled to tenth place in the premier SP Class with both cars suffering from fuel starvation and prop shaft problems. It was also a long day for Visser/Badenhorst who showed their fi ghting qualities and, after a myriad of problems, the crew were the last of the 12 classifi ed fi nishers in the SP Class. Reigning Class D champions Deon Venter/Ian Palmer took the Class D honours in the 4×4 Mega World Toyota Hilux. They were never in trouble after Lance Woolridge/Ward Huxtable (Ford Racing Ranger) ran into problems on the prologue and had to start from the back of the fi eld. Brothers Jack and Sarel Oosthuizen were a solid third in a Land Rover with Hein Moolman/JD Wolfaardt fourth in a second 4×4 Mega World

Toyota Hilux. It was tough going for the Class D crews and even tougher for Class E entrants where there were no fi nishers.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATIONSpecial Vehicles Category:01) C. Matthews/A. Smith CR3 - 05hr 36m 11s02) N. Harper/R. Harper BAT Spec 4 - 05h 44m 17s03) K-H. Sullwald/Q. Sullwald BAT Spec 4 - 05h 44m 23s04) J. Van Staden/J. Rossouw BAT Spec 5 - 05h 45m 41s05) D. Thomson/W. Foster Zarco Magnum - 05h 47m 5906) M. Fourie/J. Fourie BAT - 05h 51m 53s07) J. Bezuidenhout/E. Bezuidenhout BAT Spec 0 - 05h 53m 34s08) A. Rutherford/M. Lawrenson Jimco - 06h 04m 22s09) K. Du Toit/A. Thorn BAT - 06h 15m 00s10) R. Fuller/G. Minnitt BAT - 06h 17m 03s

Production Vehicles Category:01) H. Grobler/H. Ter Stege BMW X3 - 05h 39m 42s02) T. Rundle/J. Mohr Nissan Navara - 05h 44m 07s03) J. Visser/J. Le Roux Toyota Hilux - 05h 52m 33s04) T. Marsh/G. Smalberger Nissan Navara - 05h 52m 51s05) G. Bertholdt/A. Vermeulen Toyota Hilux - 06h 00m 00s06) L. De Bruin/R. Greyling Ford Ranger - 06h 06m 12s07) C. Du Plooy/H. Janse Van Vuuren Toyota Hilux - 06h 06m 23s08) M. Kock/J. Burger Toyota Hilux - 06h 29m 32s09) M. Whitehouse/M. Carlson Nissan Navara - 06h 41m 22s10) D. Venter/I. Palmer Toyota Hilux - 07h 02m 30s

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Another Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) event and another victory for Nasser Al-Attiyah and Giovanni Bernacchini (Ford Fiesta S2000), securing their fourth victory of the season and their 40th career win. With the gravel stages of the Kuwait International Rally soaked with rain, Al-Attiyah/Bernacchini dominated proceedings to once again take charge of the Drivers’ Championship. From the start of Day One, after its six stages, Al-Attiyah had already opened up a comfortable 02min 45.1sec lead by winning all six speed tests in this the second round on the MERC calendar. Rashid Al-Ketbi/Khaled Al-Kendi (Skoda Fabia S2000) pushed their new rally machine fl at-out in a bid to reel in Al-Attiyah and in the process ended the day in a secure second place overall ahead of Mufeed Mubarak/Saad Al-Melaifi (Mitsubisbi Lancer Evolution). A total of 18 crews to the start, but with Al-Attiyah out to prove his pace once more after his dramatic exclusion from the WRC Rally Mexico last week. In an incident reminiscent of Markko Martin in the WRC earlier this decade, Michel Saleh’s car’s bonnet lifted during the stage and lost concentration and crashed his Subaru. Al-Attiyah fi tted a long-ratio gearbox to his Fiesta S2000, and this proved to be key to his outright speed as he powered further into the distance. to highlight this, he beat Al-Ketbi by 43.6sec in SS5... Day Two’s action was played over six stages, before ending in Kuwait City for the fi nish. On their way to claiming fi ve of the day’s stage wins, Al-Attiyah and Bernacchini pulled out a handsome 04min 26.4sec from their rivals.

“The conditions were diffi cult today and it was important not to make a mistake,” said Al-Attiyah. “The goal was the win and 25 championship points and I tried my best and it all went according to plan.” Such was the demanding nature of the stages that only eight of the original 18 starters (although seven more restarted under SupeRally regulations) reached the fi nish ramp in Kuwait City at the end of the event’s 12 speed tests. Reports from the event stated that the heavy rain that fall in the area ahead of the rally returned to make Day Two’s stages that bit more treacherous. Al-Ketbi set the fastest stage time through SS8, robbing Al-Attiyah of the pleasure of claiming a clean sweep of the event’s stages. The remainder of the rally’s fi nal sour special stages saw Al-Attiyah continue on his romp to the winner’s podium. MERC competitors will need to do a great deal of head scratching of they are to reel in Al-Attiyah. Their next opportunity will be the Rally Jordan next month.

Words: Evan Rothman

AL-ATTIYAH DOMINATES KUWAIT IN’L RALLY

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BRC Rallye Sunseeker - Review by HANDBRAKES & HAIRPINShttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usY9NHtRayY


Conrad Rautenbach and new co-driver Nicolas Klinger (Ford Fiesta S2000) dominated proceedings at the 2011 African Rally Championship’s season opening event, the Toyota Zimbabwe Challenge Rally. The young Zimbabwean driver lead form start to fi nish in this wet-weather event, and was not challenged by his rivals. Only six crews managed to make it to the fi nish ramp.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION:01) S. Simpson/A. Davies Subaru Impreza S12 - 01hr 10m 13.7s02) D. Cole/C. Drew Ford Focus WRC 05 + 52.6s03) D. Pattison/P. Whittaker Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI + 01m 22.5s04) S. Mauger/B. Cammack Ford Escort MkII + 01m 25.3s05) S. Ling/A. Rees Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 03m 23.6s06) J. Stone/P. Walsh Skoda Fabia WRC + 03m 26.5s07) G. Coffey/D. Gamblin Subaru Impreza S12B + 03m 34.7s08) R. Horton/P. Wakely Darrian GTR + 03m 48.3s09) J. Indri/D. Engwell Darrian T90 GTR + 03m 53.3s10) B. Fowden/J. Sugden Subaru Impreza + 04m 11.1s

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION:01) N. Al-Attiyah/G. Bernacchini Ford Fiesta S2000 - 02h 11m 35.5s02) R. Al-Ketbi/K. Al-Kendi Skoda Fabia S2000 + 04m 28.4s03) S. Al-Qassimi/S. Lancaster Ford Fiesta S2000 + 10m 38.6s04) M. Mubarak/S. Al-Mlaifi Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X + 16m 08.1s05) M. Tantash/Z. Abu Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 17m 55.7s06) A. Hijazi/J. Matar Skoda Fabia S2000 + 20m 06.6s07) M. Al-Nejadi/A. Al-Khers Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX + 30m 33.7s08) E. Al-Najadi/A. Al-Sharrah Mitsusbishi Lancer Evo IX + 30m 58.6s09) M. Al-Thefi ri/M. Al-Thefi ri Mitsubishi Lancer Evo + 37m 39.6s10) M. Saleh/N. Al-Majaly Subaru Impreza + 40m 36.0s

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION:01) C. Rautenbach Ford Fiesta S2000 - 02h 39m 35s02) J. Whyte Subaru Impreza + 638s03) G. Davite Subaru Impreza + 655s04) M. Singh Subaru Impreza + 1117s05) R. Robinson Mitsubishi Lancer Evo + 1283s06) L. Marufu Subaru Impreza + 3554s

Words: Staff Writer

RAUTENBACH WINS IN ZIM

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SIMPSON WINS EPYNT

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