The VW Algoa Rally Club National events, Rounds 6 and 7 of the eight-round National rally championship, were an all-round VW success story.
For defending SA Rally driver Benjamin Habig and navigator Barry White, it was a goal achieved. The duo had a comfortable lead going into these two rounds, but a perfect flag-to-flag victory gave them an edge. Friday’s stages were run through the picturesque Longmore Forests, and consisted of long, fast, sweeping stages.
” Round 6, our main objective was to maximise our points without taking unnecessary risks. Securing a strong finish was our main priority, and ensuring the car was in perfect condition for Saturday (Round 7) to gather further points, a strategy crucial for our 2026 championship campaign,” said Barry.
Unfortunately for main competition, Jono van Wyk and Nico Swart, a technical issue resulted in retirement. Another unfortunate retirement at the start of Stage 6 for Chris Coertse and Carolyn Swan, who went off on a partially washed away low water bridge.
The duo went on to win every stage, and clinched overall victory with a margin of just over 5 minutes, but for sponsor and 75 YEARS OF VW, the sponsor’s curse was nowhere in sight, with VW taking top 3 podium spots and class wins in NRC1, NRC2 and NRC3.
Saturday Round 7, saw the complete opposite side of the weather chart. It was cold, wet and extremely muddy. Being first on the road was not an easy task there were no braking markers, and two stages were cancelled due to the conditions. Habig and White opened the score with a stage 1 win, albeit only .7 seconds over Jono and Nico also in a VW Polo. Van Wk and Swart won the next 4 stages. “The cars took a bit of a hammering, and the clay was sticky and just got in everywhere. We lost a bit of time and dropped to 3rd, but with a stage being cancelled, had sufficient time to get the car ready for the second half of the day.”
Vlakplaas stage had dried out a little for the second run, and Habig and White put in a last minute charge, winning the stage, as well as Spider 3, regaining second spot from Chris Coertse and Carolyn Swan.
For VW it was another overall victory on round 7 with Jono and Nico in first and Habig and White on the second step of the podium. Second place was enough for the defending champions to conclude their title defence successfully and be crowned the 2026 SA National Rally Driver and Navigator Champions.
“We are obviously elated with clinching the National Rally Championship for the second consecutive year,” said Benjamin.
A great round of applause to Rikus Fourie and his team at the Algoa Rally Club. They were faced with more challenges than anyone realises. After the devastating floods in May, it took a massive effort to repair roads, bridges and infrastructure in the area. Some roads in Longmore were non-existent after the floods.
With the sponsorship and assistance from Triple L Plant Hire, hard work and dedication, the roads were in superb rallying conditions. A huge shout out to the organisers, sponsors, the officials and marshals who were out there making this event possible.
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