Summarize

Red-Lined Motorsport in partnership with Penta Motor Group is off to the season-opening South African Cross Country race at Dullstroom 26-27 March with a spring in its step and a new-look four-car line-up.

“We are headed to the South African Cross Country Auto season opener in Dullstroom with a fantastic new strategic partner in the Penta Motor Group and an exciting team of four Red-Lined Motorsport Adventure FIA Class cars,” team boss Terence Marsh announced. “We entered, tried and tested all four cars at the recent Barberspan 300 where we enjoyed great success. “All four cars finished in the top ten with three of them in the top five.”

Former Dakar rookie winner and top-10 finisher Conrad Rautenbach comes back to South African Cross Country racing alongside Riaan Greyling in the Penta and Motul branded Red-Lined VK56. “We have had some quality testing and development over the past few weeks and I took my time to settle in at Barberspan,” Rautenbach explained. “I'm really looking forward to racing this awesome car against a world class field in South Africa this year!” 

Team regulars Ernest Roberts and Henry Kohne return once again in their Dragon Energy powered Red-Lined VK56. A regular overall frontrunner and podium threat, Roberts is relishing the season opener. “We plan to make good for our Dullstroom disappointment last year,” Ernest promised. “We were lying third and chasing a podium finish when we had gearbox trouble, so we have some unfinished business to attend to this weekend!"

Komatipoort Cross Country racing rookie Eben Basson meanwhile makes his national championship debut alongside the experienced Gerhard Schutte in his Izusa Carriers Red-Lined VK56 at Dullstroom. “It’s been a huge learning curve, but we've finished all four races we have entered since my first ever race in December and we are learning every step of the way. “My national debut is a big day for me and where better than in my home province!” 

True to Red-Lined rookie form, Philip Botha and Roelof Janse van Vuren will be looking for their eighth straight finish in eight races over 2000 km since making their Cross Country racing debut in their Penta Motor Group Red-Lined VK50 late last year. “Long may that continue,” Botha smiled. “We are learning every kilometre of the way and Dullstroom is a huge test, but we are determined to take our unfinished record to eight out of eight!

“Cross Country racing in South Africa is in incredible health,”  Terence Marsh concluded. “Entries for Dullstroom were approaching 50 at last count, with 18 FIA cars alone and over 25 T1 cars entered. “That’s double anything the World Cup has seen for a few years, which is huge news for the local sport, even if it means that we will really be challenged to deliver good results. “Red-Lined Motorsport together with the Penta Motor Group is delighted to be a part of it! 

“Dullstroom is always a really tight, technical and tough test through the mountains and forests at 2000 meter altitudes in a truly beautiful part of our country. “The weather does not always like to play along up there either, so there’s always a high rate of attrition. “But it's a great adventure and a supreme challenge on top of just a race, so best of luck to all our crews this weekend and for the rest of the season — we are ready to race!"