Red-Lined: The season starts here

Four Car Attack Poised for Dullstroom Rally Raid Opener

A fresh and energised four-car Red-Lined Motorsport team is poised to take on the new 2022 South African Rally Raid Championship, as it prepares for its season opener in Dullstroom on the 25-26 March. The team will field its REVO prototype along with a trio of VK56 Evo2s in what’s likely to be the toughest outing of the South African season, and where a number of championship novelties may well play into the team’s hands.

“This year sees several changes in South African Rally Raid racing,” Red-Lined team principal Terence Marsh explained. “We now have three classes in the Production Vehicle category — the old live rear axle Class T, the existing T1 class and then the new long travel suspension, big wheel T1+ that debuted at Dakar. “All four of our current Red-Lined entries will continue to compete in T1, with the factory crews all moving up to T1+. “That makes for an interesting new and more even playing field for Red-Lined Motorsport, so we can’t wait for the weekend!”

Pro driver Conrad Rautenbach will have Wade Harris reading the notes for him in the Red-Lined Rally Raid four ball aboard the Dragon Energy powered Red-Lined REVO. The new REVO improved on every outing since its debut late last season and the Zimbabwean former WRC star and Dakar rookie winner Rautenbach cannot wait for the fresh opportunities of racing to the re-categorised new SA Rally Raid rules which now allow for more fairly matched competition.

They will be joined by a trio of tried and trusted Red-Lined VK56 Evo2s. One of those will be the Penta branded VK56 Evo2 in the hands of Philip Botha and Riaan Greyling. Riaan replaces Roelof Janse van Vuren, who is unfortunately away on business for this event. Phillip will be keen to continue his unblemished 100% Rally Raid finishing record fresh off his first victory in the season-opening Inland Championship event earlier in the year.

Circuit racing refugee Johan de Bruyn starts his first national championship Rally Raid race alongside the highly experienced Gerhard Schutte in the OdorCure Green Jobs VK56 Evo2. Johan has two impressive Inland Championship results under his belt in the build-up to his national debut and it will be interesting to watch how the GTC SupaCup racer completes his transformation to the rough and tough world of Rally Raid competition.

The final Red-Lined entry for Dullstroom’s season opener, Dutch pairing Dave Klaassen and Tessa Rooth bring an international flavour to the team aboard their Motul branded Red-Lined VK56 Evo2. They bring a wealth of international rally raid adventure experience to the Red-Lined Motorsport fold and cannot wait for their South African debut and a fresh challenge in this escarpment race.

“We have a great spread of experience and pace this weekend and I’m sure all four crews are really excited for the Dullstroom event for various reasons,” Terence Marsh concluded. “Conrad and Wade should be fighting towards the front end of the field, Philip continues to improve by the race and he and Riaan will be looking for a top 10 result, while it’s a big weekend for our national rookie Johan and Gerhard. “We are then of course also looking forward to hosting our Dutch crew, whom I am sure will find the weekend a challenging adventure.

“Dullstroom is probably one of the toughest events on the national calendar. “With major elevation changes on a technical, rough and rocky route that’s demanding and fast changing, and famous for its low finishing rate, the aim is always first and foremost to finish and the results then tend to take care of themselves. “We will do our best as always to be well prepared and we’re looking forward to a great opening weekend!”

*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