25 TO 26 JULY 2025 | KARIEGA (UITENHAGE), EASTERN CAPE
The Eastern Cape came alive with competitive energy as the Daniel Pienaar High School Motorsport Team took on the Algoa National Rally. It was a thrilling weekend filled with speed, teamwork, resilience, and student driven excellence.
Competing against both time and the elements, the Daniel Pienaar team demonstrated heart, determination, and impressive racing talent. From icy morning starts to hands on mechanical recoveries, this rally was a shining example of what passion fueled motorsport can look like at the school level.
FRIDAY, 25 JULY – COLD STARTS AND BIG COMEBACKS
The rally opened on a crisp Friday morning, with competitors from across the country and abroad lining up for what would be a challenging and exciting day around Kariega.
Student driver Leander Koekemoer and his navigator, teacher Kaylin Kapp, entered the event in their Polo 1.2 TSI with confidence and pace. They ran strong through the early stages, but Jachtvlakte delivered a harsh blow. A punctured tyre took precious time off the clock, and a navigational mistake caused them to miss the stage exit. This led to a Did Not Finish (DNF) for the day.
However, the rally spirit was alive and well. With permission from the Clerk of the Course, the crew rejoined the competition for the spectator tarmac stages, where they delivered a strong and spirited performance for fans along the route.
In the teacher team entry, driver Francois Vermaak and former student navigator Handré van Schalkwyk overcame gearshift issues to maintain consistent momentum. Their determined drive paid off as they secured a win in the ARC5 class and finished 17th overall out of 45 entries.
SATURDAY, 26 JULY – LONGMORE FOREST SHOWS NO MERCY
Day two of the rally took place deep within the rugged and unforgiving Longmore Forest. Conditions were harsh, with strong winds and steady rain challenging even the most seasoned competitors.
Returning to the wheel, Leander Koekemoer was joined by experienced teacher navigator Wesley Shultz. Together they faced the treacherous mountain terrain with determination, until the Polo began experiencing issues with a leaking front shock absorber. Thankfully, the student pit crew, under the guidance of Mr. Konrad Kapp, sprang into action to perform necessary repairs and adjustments, keeping the car rally ready.
The crew’s resilience and teamwork led them to successfully complete the rally, finishing in 27th place out of 39 competitors. It was a proud result for the student team on a national stage.
The teacher duo, unfortunately, were not as lucky. A broken control arm in the very first stage of the day ended their campaign early. It was a tough break, but their role in mentoring and supporting the student racers was just as vital throughout the event.
THANK YOU TO MOTORSPORT SOUTH AFRICA
The Daniel Pienaar Rally Team extends sincere gratitude to Motorsport South Africa (MSA) for their continued support and belief in the development of youth through motorsport. Without MSA, opportunities like these would not be possible, and the team is proud to represent a program that inspires, educates, and empowers young competitors.
MSA Publishes media releases from a host of different sources on our website as a service to the sport. It is not practically possible to vet/approve every release that is published. Some news items and articles are written by correspondents and do not necessarily represent MSA’s views.