|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
TDR Home |Latest News from the TDR | Making Entries | Entry List | Regulations | Accommodation |Spectator Information |Travel Advice |TDR History |Past Winners |Back to the FWDCSA
24 June, 2011
Toyota dominates TDR prologue
The Castrol Toyota team got their challenge for the Toyota Desert Race off to the perfect start on Friday with a 1-2 on the prologue.
Anthony Taylor / Chris Birkin led home Toyota Hilux team mates Duncan Vos / Rob Howie by just 15 seconds.
Third were reigning South African champions Chris Visser and Japie Badenhorst (Ford Ranger), with the three cars separated by exactly 60 seconds. That sets up an interesting early confrontation when the race gets under way early on Saturday at Kumakwane.
"It was a dream start for the team, but there is still a long way to go," said Taylor. "This race isn't won on the first two days and the crunch will come on Sunday. Coming off a good one-two on the Atlas Copco 400 has also been a boost for the team and hopefully we can come up with a repeat result."
There was a slight surprise when Malcolm Kock and Johan Burger (Kock Toyota Hilux) came home in fourth place. Kock's father Andre is a former winner of the race and being brought up in North-West Province is familiar with the sort of conditions found in Botswana.
Fifth were current championship leaders Thomas Rundle and former South African champion Juan Mohr (Barden Nissan Navara), who were just four seconds behind Kock. A further 18 seconds in arrears in sixth place were last year's winners, Hannes Grobler and Hennie ter Stege (RFS BMW X3). The veteran Grobler is a hero in Botswana and is looking for his seventh Toyota Desert Race win. The ebullient driver first won this event in 1986.
Gary Bertholdt and Andre Vermeulen (Atlas Copco Toyota Hilux) and young Pretoria crew Christiaan du Plooy and Henk Janse van Vuuren (RFS BMW X3), completed the top eight. Less than two minutes separated the lead car and du Plooy.
Reigning champions Deon Venter and Ian Palmer set the pace in Class D in the 4x4 Mega World Toyota Hilux, and are a little under pressure to come up with a good result. Two non-finishes in a row have dropped them behind brothers Jack and Sarel Oosthuizen (Land Rover) in this year's championship.
Second were Louis Weichelt and Francis Boersma (N1 Toyota Land Cruiser) who are coming off a win on the Atlas Copco 400. Weichelt's father Cliff, on a visit from Australia, and Johann Smalberger, in a second N1 Toyota Land Cruiser, were a single second further back in third place with the Oosthuizens a disappointing sixth.
Free State crew Gerald le Roux and Riaan Greyling (Ruwacon Ford Ranger) were quickest of the Class E brigade. They were around 90 seconds ahead of championship leaders Dirk Putter and Koos Claasens in a Toyota Hilux with Atlas Copco 400 winners Diederik Hattingh and Kristo Bosman (Transcor Toyota Hilux) another 30-odd seconds adrift.
The first day of the main race starts on Saturday at Kumakwane at 08:00. The start/finish and the designated service point are all situated at Kumakwane.
TDR Home |Latest News from the TDR | Making Entries | Entry List | Regulations | Accommodation |Spectator Information |Travel Advice |TDR History |Past Winners |Back to the 4WD Club
Home |
Club Events | Toyota Desert Race | Calendar |Base 4 Clubhouse |Driver Training |Rescue Unit | Conservation |Marshal Unit |Diving |Touring & Safaris |Trip Reports | Marketplace |4x4 Accessories | Radios | Insurance |Photo Gallery |Join Us |Club Committee | Club Constitution | Code of Conduct |Associated Clubs | AAWDCSA | Links | Site Map |Contact Us