What used to be called the VW Rally, is now the Bay West Mall National Rally – still organised by the smart folk at the Algoa Motorsport Club.
I have done radio marshalling at the rally for a number of years now and there are posts you can read about all the trips, some mobile and some stationary. This year it took place on teh weekend of 19-20 July.
I am always impressed with the motor vehicles. A number of “classic” cars and some friendly drivers/navigators – people you might not expect were capable of the speeds and terrain this event requires.
This year I got to “ride with the boss”. I was with the Clerk of the Course. Unfortunately, though, in what I regard as a rather gutsy call, the rally was abandoned on day 2. A lot of rain and worse weather on the way, I believe it was the correct choice. Calling off a rally where many have invested a lot of time and effort – and money – is never going to be a popular choice, but it was done.
This year teams came from Zambia, Nigeria, and of course South Africa.
Below are some photos – including the display in the mall, some of the vehicles at the start of the first stage, and a video clip of a car pulling away at stage one.
