WINTERTON, South Africa – Red-Lined Motoring Adventure's 2019 South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) season continues as the team heads the Berg 400 in the Southern Drakensberg over the 17-18 May weekend. And while Red-Lined remains fully focused on adventure and enjoyment, the outfit finds four of its Nissan Navaras in the premier FIA class championship top seven.
Red-Lined Motoring Adventure is an official marketing partner with Nissan South Africa. The company focuses on building custom off-road race cars and trucks that are marketed and sold around the world. The Nissan entries to the SACCS are purpose-built T1 Dakar Navaras powered by a VK50 engine.
Rookies Ernest Roberts and Riaan Greyling will continue on after putting their JCP Roofing Red-Lined Navara onto the FIA class podium in Dullstroom's season opener. "We want more of the same," said Roberts. "We put it on the podium on our first race together, so I could not have wished for a better result. Now better knowing the lay of the land, I'll continue to listen to my experienced navigator and expert team — I could not be in better hands!"
Former rally crew and Namibian duo Jaco van Dyk and Michael Rust are also coming off of a victorious debut in their 24-7 Race Fuels Red-Lined Navara. "We are learning all about racing cross country," said van Dyk. "We had a debut finish last time but suffered a few punctures and little rookie issues along the way, so the plan is to iron all that out and bring it home again — what an adventure!"
Rally driver Schalk Burger and champion navigator Elvine Vonk are looking to hone their technique at Berg 400 as they continue to prepare for Dakar 2020 aboard their King Price Extreme Red-Lined Navara. "We had a good start to the season," said Burger. "There were a few issues and punctures in Dullstroom, so the plan is to avoid those this time around — it's a huge thrill and all part of the learning curve and this new race in the Drakensberg promises to be a cracking adventure!"
Letshego Zulu and Red-Lined's Terence Marsh will be competing in the Celebrity Navara. The late race driver Gugu's widow never raced alongside her husband, but she is looking forward to once again riding in the hot seat alongside Marsh as he continues to develop the team's latest Dakar challenger this weekend. "I raced the Gold 400 with Terence last year," said Zulu. "That was such a thrill that I could not wait to get back in there — I'm an adventure junkie and believe me, this is the ultimate adventure!"
Lastly, UAE-based British duo Thomas Bell and Patrick McMurren will compete in their Dragon Energy Red-Lined Navara, having already finishing four of the biggest international cross-country races this season. "We have had a fairytale start to our racing year," said Bell. "Now we return to the South African series to continue our preparations for the 2020 Dakar — as always, we expect maximum adventure in the mountains!"
The Berg 400 is a brand-new event, racing around KwaZulu-Natal's Champagne Valley and the foothills of the Drakensberg near Winterton and Estcourt.
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Contact
Karen Van Wyk
Red-Lined Motoring Adventure Marketing
karen@redlined.co.za
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