As the 2023 TRACN4 National Rally approaches, anticipation builds for fierce competition among the 28 competing teams where there will be 17 National and 15 Regional entries (competing in one or both events) in Dullstroom, Mpumalanga.
With experience, talent, and skilled driving on display, every team will be eager to prove themselves on the 17th and 18th of November, ensuring that this rally weekend – the last one of 2023 – will be a memorable one. With all the top competitors in the National Rally Championships in action, high-intensity racing is guaranteed in this final leg of the series.
The leading teams in the nationals are determined to outperform each other and show their mettle while doing so. Although the national title has already been clinched by JJ Potgieter and Tommie Du Toit in their Hyundai i20 R4, who come into this rally with an impressive 302 points, the competition for overall second is sure to have everyone on the edge of their seats. Chris Coertse and Greg Godrich in their Mazda 2 R4 currently hold second place with 191 points but may have to dig deep to stay ahead of third-placed Benjamin Habig and Barry White in their quick 1000cc Turbo FWD Volkswagen Polo.
The Northern Regions Rally Championship has split results when it comes to points with Dick Pallas currently as the leading driver and Mari Ducasse as leading co-driver. Both these participants, representing different teams, are exceptionally talented and determined to showcase their skills to hold onto their leads. However, they won’t have it easy if Anton Raaths and Willem Morgen, also from two different teams, have anything to say about it. Raaths currently holds second place in the regional driver standings while Morgen is close on Ducasse’s heels for the regional co-driver title. A similar approach is expected from Hennie Mostert who is currently the third-ranking regional driver and Robin Knighton who holds the third overall regional co-driver’s title.
TRAC and the NRC again chose Dullstroom for the final leg of the 2023 National Rally Championships due to the magnificent, rally-perfect forest terrain managed by S&N Boerdery and Safcol. This will be the fourth consecutive year the rally is hosted in the charming town, establishing it as a highly esteemed annual sports event in the eMakhazeni region.
The two-day rally will start from Lakenvlei Heritage Site on Friday and from the Oval in Dullstroom on Saturday, 18 November. It will consist of 13 stages (6 on Friday and 7 on Saturday), covering a total distance of 204.39 gruelling kilometres.
Motorsport fans can experience the rally from specially set up spectator points, the location of which can be found in the 2023 TRACN4 Rally Programme, which can be downloaded HERE and will also be available in print during the event. Rally enthusiasts unable to attend can catch all the fast, exhilarating action on
SARallying’s social media pages and on RaceDay TV.
For more information on the 2023 TRACN4 Rally, follow @TRACN4 or @SARallychamps on Facebook and Instagram or visit our website www.tracn4.co.za. The race secretary can also be contacted at lizelle@electrothread.co.za
Published by: Solange Soares
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