Jan Habig Rallying

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Polokwane blow for Basil Read team

22 Oct 2013

"How would I describe the Polokwane Rally? Disappointing and certainly one of those character-building events," said former SA Rally Champion Jan Habig after being side-lined by a broken suspension bolt in the first stage of the penultimate round of the 2013 SA Rally Championship.

"About halfway through the first stage, we clipped a hidden tree stump and the suspension bolt broke," explained Habig. "I tried to carry out some emergency repairs by using a screwdriver and fence wire, and we made it to the end of the stage. With about a 40 minute deficit, I made the decision to repair the car at the 15-minute service and compete under Super Rally regulations on Day 2."

The Basil Read Ford team went into the event with a one-point lead over Johnny Gemmell and Carolyn Swan, with Ford having won every single event so far this season, and on more than one occasion it was a one-two affair.

"Rallying can be very cruel, but to have three consecutive events where lady luck just turns her back on you, is a difficult reality to face," said Jan.

Henk Lategan (Sasol VW Polo) came to blows with the same tree stump that damaged Habig's Ford Fiesta, and suffered a broken steering . Habig, however, managed to get to the end of the stage.

Entering under the Super Rally regulations, Habig and Paisley put the Ford through it's paces, winning one of the six special stages on day two and posting second and third-fastest times in the remaining stages.

"I don't think I have ever finished stone last - not even as a rookie ," said Habig. "It was a testing session for us, albeit a very expensive one, but we have one event in hand and perhaps we can still give Ford the 1-2 on the championship. I have to congratulate Mark Cronjé and Robin Houghton on a superb year, and clinching back-to-back championships."

The final round of the 2013 Championship, the Garden Route Rally, will be held on 15 and 16 November.

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