Summarize

The weekend’s NTT Tzaneen Rally proved decisive for MRF Tyres SA National Rally Championship team, Rally Technic. Rookie crew, JJ Potgieter and Tommy du Toit served notice of a great rally future with a stunning victory on their first weekend out in NRC1 aboard their Würth Rally Technic Hyundai i20, while Chris Coertse and Greg Godrich consolidated their championship advantage as they shook down their brand-new Rally Technic-built Mazda2.

Chris Coertse was like a proud new dad in the build-up to the start. “Our Rally Technic Mazda2 is looking beautiful after its launch at NTT Mazda Tzaneen last night,” Chris pointed out. “We’re very excited, but also a little bit nervous as this is not the easiest rallies to debut a car. “We have hardly tested so we do not yet know how the car will handle, and the roads here are tough and narrow. “So, the plan is to get through the first few stages and then let’s see where we are from there.”

JJ Potgieter was thrilled, but apprehensive at the prospect of his turbocharged all-wheel drive NRC 1 debut after impressing in a smaller front-wheel driven NRC 2 machine. “We are delighted to be part of the Rally Technic team and for the opportunity to step up to the top class,” JJ admitted before the start. “This is not the easiest rally to make the move up, it would have been easier somewhere else and now I’m driving on the wrong side of the car! “So, there’s lots to learn and much to do, but we can’t wait for the challenge!”

Both crews used the opening stages to better acquaint themselves with their new equipment. But Potgieter and du Toit soon shocked the establishment when he won his third-ever NRC 1 stage. “We took a little time to get into a rhythm in the first two stages and I’m loving it. “Now I’m starting to get into the swing of it and the power and traction of the Würth Rally Technic Hyundai i20 is incredible.”

Championship leaders Coertse and Godrich meanwhile steered their brand-new Mazda to third by mid distance. “The niggles in the car are not costing us any time – I am the reason we were a bit slow!” Chris took the rap. “I overshot and that took us a bit of time to get out of. I am being a bit cautious now that our main championship rivals are out, so we are more concerned about just scoring as many points as we can to consolidate our lead. “Where the roads have permitted, the car is very quick, so we’re most excited!” 

Potgieter sat second and Coertse sixth overall by mid distance. Both crews held station through the afternoon as JJ and Tommy drove home a brilliant second in their maiden NRC 1 outing. “Well, we are surprised, happy and thankful all at the same time!” a delighted JJ admitted in parc ferme. “It was a tough rally, and the car was strong, so thanks to everyone who made it happen. “Now for a good sleep and let’s see what tomorrow brings!”

Chris and Greg steered their brand new Mazda2 to fifth overall and third in NRC 1 on the car’s debut to effectively extend their overall SA championship lead. “Today was nerve wracking!” Chris explained. “There were of course a few niggles, and this is a very tough rally, but the car is very strong and very quick when we stretch its legs. “We worked so hard for this, and we knew that we took a gamble. “But it paid off even if we went into the rally with just 20 km of testing, so well done and thanks to the whole team.”

JJ and Tommy were once again on point in Saturday’s Round 8 with a close second in the opening test. Chris and Greg meanwhile continued to come to grips their new car. Potgieter and du Toit then stormed into the rally lead with a splendid 20 second stage 2 win to take control of the rally that they would not relinquish. “Everything is starting to work together, I’m understanding the car better, the notes are good and it's all going very well. “Now we need to take it easy through the tight next stages and bring it home.” 

Chris and Greg had moved up to second overall, but they hit trouble in stage 5, limping home to slip down the overall order. The car got a little hot, so we took it easy for a couple of stages before the service park. “Then we had some more temperature issues and stopped to prevent damage and lost a lot of time, so we slipped back overall. “It’s also hot in the car, so we’re losing a bit of weight and we are learning so much about the car, so all good!”

JJ and Tommy again won the 18 km stage 6 to cement their overall lead, before cruising home second in the short final stage to wrap up a brilliant overall victory in their first ever top class MRF Tyres SA Rally aboard the Rally Technic Hyundai I20. “This weekend was a bunch of firsts for us – first time in a NRC1 car, first time with all-wheel drive, first time with big power, first tar stages and first time in a left-hand drive car are just some of them” JJ explained. 

“It was an amazing experience to get to do all of that and so exciting to win our first rally out in the new car. “We’d like to thank Rally Technic for this incredible opportunity and for all the support, and also to our own Würth team guys, who helped make it happen. “The whole team, our whole organisation, our sponsors and the rest is actually the biggest part of this success, so thanks so much to everyone who had a part in this special weekend!” 

Teammates Chris Coertse and Greg Godrich meanwhile did their title aspirations no harm at all to bring their brand-new Rally Technic Mazda2 home 8th overall and fourth in class, to extend their title advantage across the two weekend rounds. All while still breaking their new car in. “First and foremost, congratulations to JJ and Tommy on a splendid achievement today. “That was impressive!” Chris Coertse concluded. “But all in all, a very good weekend. 

“Our new Rally Technic Mazda2 was most impressive, considering we hardly turned a wheel after rushing to finish the build last week, so we were expecting issues, to finish both Tzaneen rounds and come away with a stronger title advantage with four rounds to go is huge for us. “Now we have a month before Delmas on 16-17 September to test, develop and get the Rally Technic Mazda2 right on point. “Our rivals will not be sleeping, and neither can we. “Bring it on!”