A brand-new event on the SA Rally-Raid Championship calendar, the Outeniqua 400, that takes place on 19 and 20 September in the Upper Langkloof area between George and Uniondale in the Garden Route in the Western Cape, will form the fourth round of the series and this event promises to test competitors in a breathtaking part of the country.
With the SARRC season now at the halfway mark, the new Outeniqua 400 will level the playing field and according to SARR Route Director, Evan Hutchison, the event will have one of the most interesting and scenic routes the national championship series has had in many years.
Louvain Guest Farm, situated next to the N9 just halfway between George and Uniondale with the kloof flanked by the Kammanassie and Kouga mountains towards the north and the Outeniqua mountain range on the southern side, will serve as the base from where all the action will take place. The Race Headquarters , Designated Service Point (DSP) and Start/Finish of the Outeniqua 400 will all be situated at Louvain Guest Farm.
“The Outeniqua 400 will offer competitors a unique variation of terrain, the best I have had the opportunity to offer the competitors,” Hutchison explained. “From fast, open lowlands to the technical mountain pass climbs and finally the old ox-wagon trail which dates back to 1776 when it was used as a trade route between the Langkloof Valley and the coast and runs along the ridge of the mountain way above the clouds,” he enthused further.
Competitors can expect a combination of mountain passes, river crossings, magnificent game farm style roads and some fast, open challenging sections where the options are either left or right and up or down.
According to Hutchison, the majority of the mountain pass roads have been opened to suit the wider cars competing in the Ultimate T1+ classes while all the grass sections have been slashed. Most of the route has also been graded, but he warned that anyone who thinks that it would be easy, will have a surprise on their hands.
The Outeniqua 400 will be run as a Super Event that will consist of the Falken Wild Peak Prologue (38 kilometres) on Friday morning followed by Stage One (84 kilometres) on the same day. Stages Two and Three, both 178 kilometres in distance, then await competitors on Saturday with the action starting at 09:00 at Louvain Guest Farm. The event will also form two rounds of the Eastern Cape Off-road Club series.
And with the best competitors and teams in the country visiting the Garden Route area for the first time, spectators and enthusiasts can expect red-hot racing action with a jaw-dropping backdrop.
“If there is one race you just have to do in the year, this is going to be the event,” Hutchison, a multiple former SA national champion, explained. “I honestly believe this is the most challenging and enjoyable route we have ever put together,” he promised.
Published by: Charmaine Fortune
Photography by: Dave Ledbitter
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