Spectators got their money’s worth during leg three of the national rally championship over the weekend, featuring a high-octane special stage through the streets of Tsumeb.
Organised by the Tsumeb Motor Club (TMC) with the assistance of the Windhoek Motor Club (WMC), the event drew 18 entries – six more than last year – to compete across 10 stages covering 104.12km.
Clerk of the course Clive Strydom briefed drivers on safety, rules, and regulations at the starting point at a local hotel after a qualified individual inspected all vehicles, ensuring compliance with safety standards such as roll cages.
It was full throttle throughout the day as every second counted for the nationals. Several stages were designed with spectators in mind, filling viewing points to capacity.
The 10th and final stage had residents and visitors in awe as drivers tackled a tarred route starting near the hotel, sweeping past the central town gardens opposite the museum, and finishing opposite the hotel.
Another popular leg was stage six at the Koos Plaas Oval Track. Despite dusty, windy conditions, spectators cheered as teams navigated tight corners at high speeds.
Namibia Motorsport Federation representative Deon Diergaardt commended the organisation.
“No incidents, no accidents, and well organised,” Diergaardt said, adding that the final tarred stage in town was a magnificent addition.
Driver Horazio ‘Rassie’ Rietz (Team M+Z JAC) described the terrain as unforgiving.
“The aim here is to bring the car home, and if you did bring the car home, you won the rally,” he said.
Richard Himmel, whose company Powerline Africa helped sponsor the event, praised the organisers and indicated plans for long-term support.
Meanwhile, driver Pieter Greeff lauded the final street stage: “When we finished that 1.4km stage, I wanted to go again … Once you start, you don’t want it to end.”
Local favourite Himmel and navigator Adolf Botes kept the crowd on their feet in their Toyota Etios in the S1 class.
SPEED … The Renault Duster of MP and Anja Pretorius.
Himmel’s son, Marco, also delivered a stellar performance in his V8-powered Navara EVO (T1+) cross-country truck, custom-built by Redline South Africa (SA).
“We raced in the off-road class last year in SA and only brought the car to Namibia this year to have some fun with the guys,” Marco Himmel said.
The organisers expressed gratitude to the police’s traffic department and the Tsumeb Municipality for their support.
The fourth leg is scheduled to take place at Grootfontein at the end of September.
