Production category debut win for the Penta boys
Red-Lined Motorsport together with the Penta Motor Group, started its 2022 South African Cross-Country season with a maiden win for Philip Botha and Roelof Janse van Vuren in their Penta branded VK56 Evo2. In what turned out to be a sodden and challenging Weiveld Inland Championship event in the Free State, the guys drove a tactical and calculated race in extremely muddy and difficult conditions to not only win but continue their incredible finishing record. It now stands at an impressive 16 races and 24 stages for a total of 9,600km of racing since their debut just two years ago.
Circuit racing refugee and teammate Johan de Bruyn and Gerhard Schutte then came home in an impressive 2nd overall in the production category in their OdorCure Green Jobs VK56 before being hit with a 30-minute time penalty for deviating from the route. That dropped them down to fifth overall in Johan’s second top 5 finish from just two starts since he switched to Cross Country racing.
“We are thrilled to have started our new season on top of the podium!” Red-Lined team principal Terence Marsh admitted. “Philip and Roelof have now officially won a Production Vehicle race and this together with their current finishing record makes for some good reading since their debut just a couple of years ago. Johan and Gerhard may have lost their overall podium result to that penalty, but still brought it home 2nd in the FIA class in really difficult conditions. “A great start to a new season of adventure!”
“We are absolutely delighted to start the season with our first ever win, while also extending our record run of finishing every one of the sixteen races we have ever started,” Philip Botha explained. “Our Penta Motor Group Red-Lined VK56 once again ran without missing a beat in the most challenging and muddy conditions. “Thanks to Terence and the team once again for a great job. “Our tactic was to be patient in the difficult conditions and that made all the difference. “We really enjoyed this perfect start to our build up to Dakar 2023!”
“This one was a double edged sword,” Johan de Bruyn rued. “We are delighted with our second top five in our two TIORC starts in a tough and slippery race. “We were the second Production Vehicle home, giving the team a 1-2 result to start the year, but we incurred a navigational penalty to drop us to fifth. “Congratulations to Philip and Roelof and the entire team for a fantastic start to the season. “I’m now starting to get the hang of this world. “It’s a big change from racing a tin-top on track 20 minutes at a time, but with Gerhard and the team’s help, I am definitely getting where I need to be. “Now I can’t wait for my national debut next month!”
Red-Lined Motorsport now shifts focus to the first round of the South African Rally Raid Championship at Dullstroom, 25 and 26 March. Watch this space for news on the team preparing to take on the world’s best, right here in Mpumalanga.
*Red-Lined Motorsport Adventures competes with premium strategic partners, the Penta Motor Group, BFGoodrich, Motul, Dragon Energy, Jonnesway Tools, Expand a Sign and Wheel Collision.
Resource: Motorsport Media (www.motorsportmedia.co.za) & Red-Lined Motorsport