Jan Habig Rallying

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Habig to challenge for second place

16 October 2013

After herding cows, flying over a massive ditch and getting caught in the dust on day two of the seventh round of the 2013 South African Rally Championship, the Basil Read Ford Fiesta crew of Jan Habig and Robert Paisley will be aggressively competing to recapture second position on the championship ladder in this weekend’s event taking place in Polokwane in the Limpopo Province.

“Going into the penultimate round of the SA Rally Championship in third place overall, we realise that Mark Cronjé and Robin Houghton have a significant lead. Our goal for this event is to get back that second spot as we are trailing Johnny Gemmell and Carolyn Swan by a mere 4.5 points," said Habig. “Conditions are expected to be hot and dry with dust being a factor that competitors may have to deal with. Last year there was so much dust that we often found ourselves in our own dust.”

The damage to the Ford after the wings were clipped on the previous event was not excessive, and although there was significant make-up removed, the chassis and engine were unscathed. See video.

“It was a relief that the rugged Ford was able to withstand the beating on the last event, and fortunately it has been a fairly long break," continued Habig. "This allowed the team of technicians the opportunity to check all the components and time to test and check the car's set-up. I believe the condition of the car will be crucial in this event as there are some tight stages where ability will be tested on the first day. The second day will consist of much faster, sweeping stages.”

Habig, never a man to show his hand early, is expecting a tough battle throughout the two-day event which begins at 12h00 on Friday, 18 October with a ceremonial start at the Polokwane municipal offices. The Peter Mokaba Stadium will be the rally headquarters throughout the weekend giving fans and spectators the opportunity to rub shoulders with South Africa’s top rally drivers and navigators.

“Never underestimate the opposition, and never give up," said the multiple former SA Rally Champion. "All the teams have put in a tremendous amount of time in the development and fine-tuning of their cars, and although Ford has won every single event this year, and bagged a few 1-2 finishes, rallying is a cruel sport. With a little bit of luck the Basil Read Ford crew and championship leaders Mark and Robin will colour the podium blue.”

The rally kicks off with a 10 kilometre gravel stage, and day one consists of approximately 68 kilometres. Day two starts at 06h30 and has a total of 100-odd kilometres of stages, two of which are 33 kilometres in length. The event finishes at the Peter Mokaba Stadium at approximately 15h00 on Saturday with a special treat for spectators at the stadium

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