Summarize

It’s been a long stretch since the last South African Cross Country race, but Red-Lined Motorsport in partnership with the Penta Motor Group is raring and ready to race in the second round of the season at the rejuvenated Sugarbelt 400 in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands 21-22 May. The team is looking to improve on its positive start to the season, where it had three of its four cars in the opening race FIA Class top ten.

Ernest Roberts and Henry Kohne arrive at the Eston, KZN race on the crest of the wave after bringing their Dragon Energy powered Red-Lined VK56 home to a fine fourth overall. “We had a great outing at Dullstroom,” Ernest confirmed. “We really enjoyed the feeling of coming home fourth among one of the biggest FIA Class Cross Country fields we have ever seen and we want more if it. “Can’t wait!” 

Eben Basson may be a rookie as he races alongside Gerhard Schutte in his Izusa Carriers Red-Lined VK56, but not only did the Komatipoort racer come home a remarkable eighth in the Dullstroom season opener, but he also leads the TIORC Northern Regions championship following a victorious run there. “Eighth on my national debut is better than I could ever have imagined,” Eben admitted. “But that also brings great expectations, so I hope to be able to prove them right!” 

Another Red-Lined rookie crew, Philip Botha and Roelof Janse van Vuren will be chasing nine straight finishes in nine races since their Cross Country debut aboard their Penta Motor Group Red-Lined VK50 late last year. “The more seat time we get the better, on our road to the Dakar,” Botha explained. “The Sugarbelt will be a new race for us in new territory, but that’s a test we aim to pass with flying colours. “Bring it on!” 

Last but very much not least, Conrad Rautenbach and Riaan Greyling will be out to deliver on their shining promise on their debut race in the Penta Motul Red-Lined VK56 last time out. “Last race we had good pace and were able to fight it out at the top of the time sheets,” former Dakar rookie winner Rautenbach reflected. “But we hit trouble and had to endure the heartbreak of retiring just 20 km from the finish. “So we are planning to make good in KZN — bring it on!”

“SA Cross Country has not visited the Sugarbelt in six years,” team boss Terence Marsh explained. “It’s a tough and tricky race at the foot of the Drakensberg, which is something new for most of the team, but that's also the kind of adventure Red-Lined Motorsport thrives on. “So we can’t wait to race in KwaZulu Natal. “We had a great start to the season, so let’s see if the guys can go one or two better with a 100% finish and who knows, maybe even a podium position?”