Red-Lined ends season in style
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Another 100% finish rate, a new record & 3 cars in Parys top 10
Red-Lined Motorsport racing together with the Penta Motor Group have ended the 2021 South African Cross Country series in flying style with another 100% finish, a new championship record and three of its cars in the top 10 at the weekend’s Parys 400. But the race also left the team wondering what could have been!
“That was a really good weekend in what were extremely tough conditions!” Red-Lined team principal Terence Marsh confirmed. “Eben Basson and Gerhard Schutte rolled their VK56 but simply dug deep and carried on racing to end a remarkable sixth overall while Conrad Rautenbach and Riaan Greyling flew back from early troubles to finish eighth overall. “Philip Botha and Roelof Janse van Vuren then went on to make history in their Penta VK56 while Thomas Bell and Wade Harris made it a 100% finish for the team in their Motul VK56.
“But it really was a case of what could have been and the guys’ pace today showed that we can look forward to some exciting times when we get racing again in 2022. “We are also very happy to score a full house of finishes with all four cars in the FIA class top eleven in another really rough and challenging race that claimed so many retirements. “It really was a race of attrition — half of our world class FIA field did not make the finish, so this was a fantastic result for us.”
The race proved a true adventure for Eben Basson and Gerhard Schutte. They rolled their VK56 early on in the second loop. “We clipped a bank in a quick turn and tipped over.” Eben explained. “We landed on our wheels and after straightening a few panels and changing a damaged wheel, we just dug deep and worked with what we had. “So we were delighted to come home sixth for a title top ten in my rookie year. “Thanks to the team for an incredibly strong and reliable race car — it’s onward and upward from here!”
“We lost time after losing brakes towards the end of the first loop and had to replace a damaged brake pipe before going on to get two punctures on the second loop, so eighth overall was a good result in the end,” Conrad Rautenbach pointed out after showing some really good pace in the all-new Red-Lined REVO. “We are starting to unlock this car’s great potential and all I can say, is I can’t wait for the day we finally crack a clean run. “When it all goes right, we’ll move further up the field! “Special thanks to Terence and the whole team for their great effort during the season. “Be patient guys — the results will come!”
Philip Botha and Roelof Janse van Vuren made history in their Penta Motor Group VK56 when they completed a 100% finishing record in their debut season in the National Championship. That is apparently an SA Cross Country series first from what the team understands. “We are so proud to have finished every race we have started since we first drove our Red-Lined racer in anger,” Philip admitted. “And to do that with another top ten finish makes it all that much sweeter. “Thanks to another great team effort — what a journey and adventure it has been!”
UAE racer Thomas Bell jetted in straight from the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge for his second South African race of the season in his Motul VK56 alongside new navigator, team technician Wade Harris. They enjoyed an adventurous day losing rear drive 90 km before the finish, but ended up bringing it home 11th overall for another 100% Red-Lined finish. “What a day!” Tom admitted. “A late afternoon curve ball for us but we brought it home in the end and that’s what it is all about! “Another great event with my Red-Lined family — a nice way to end our South African season!”
“That wraps up a hectic racing year of adventure for Red-Lined Motorsport,” Terence Marsh concluded. “With what we saw today, we simply cannot wait for it to start all over again in the new year. “We have a little more development work to do with our REVO, but once we have ticked off the last few boxes, we believe we will be in for an even better season next year.
*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