Round five of the Algoa Rally Club Championship took place this past weekend in and around the small town of Steytlerville. Teams were greeted on Saturday morning by a chilly four degrees, gathering at the Steytlerville Showgrounds to set up service areas before the day’s action began. As the temperatures rose, so too did the pace — with fast and often rough stages testing both crews and cars.
While competitors were out checking their route notes, scrutineering was conducted in the pit area to ensure all cars met the required standards.
The Daniel Pienaar Technical High School team, supported by Motorsport South Africa, fielded their VW 1.2 TSI Polo, driven by scholar Leander Koekemoer and navigated by teacher Miss Kaylin Kapp. The young crew impressed throughout the challenging rally — surviving the rough opening stages that saw multiple teams retire. Despite sustaining front bumper damage, the Daniel Pienaar Polo held steady to reach the finish line, earning a well-deserved third place podium in the ARC 5 class.
Meanwhile, the teacher crew of Francois Vermaak and Handré van Schalkwyk faced their own set of challenges. They lost second gear early in Stage 1 and suffered both rear shock absorbers breaking in the same stage. Showing true determination, the team returned to the service park, replaced the shocks, and continued the rally without second gear — a remarkable effort that saw them take first place in the Clubmans Class and second place in ARC 5.
Overall, it was an outstanding performance from both Daniel Pienaar teams in high temperatures and demanding road conditions, highlighting the school’s growing strength and commitment in motorsport.
The team would like to extend their sincere thanks to Motorsport South Africa and all their sponsors for their continued support, without which these achievements would not be possible.
Photography by: Motor Mouth
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