Rallying fourth: Lategan and White finish Cullinan Rally just outside podium
Henk Lategan and Barry White were the highest-placed Volkswagen Sasolracing finishers at the Imperial Toyota Cullinan Rally which took place over 15-16 August. The pair took their Polo S2000 to a fourth place result after two days of dusty competition during the 12-stage fifth round of the South African National Rally Championship.
The Polo duo endured a tough first day, running at the front of the field and sweeping the stages clear for their rivals. But day two was much better and Lategan and White – fifth in the overall championship – became progressively faster, winning the final stage of the day.
Team-mates Gugu Zulu and Carl Peskin suffered numerous punctures, which slowed their progress over the whole rally. ‘This event was very frustrating, it seemed to be actively working against us,’ said Zulu. ‘We worked hard in preparation for the Cullinan Rally but ultimately things did not work in our favour.’
It was a similar story for Han Weijs Jnr and Björn Degandt who are second in the championship. Starting well, the pair were in third place by the end of day one. But, pushing faster on day two saw their Polo S2000 roll during the second-last stage after landing in the sand following an over-exuberant jump.
Mike Rowe, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport South Africa was hopeful of his team’s chances at the Western Cape: ‘The Volkswagen Sasolracing team showed good pace this weekend,’ he said. ‘While this is not reflected in the overall results, it still gives us confidence for the next event where our aim is to get back on the podium.’
Other Polo finishers included Thilo Himmel and Armand Du Toit in eighth, Chad Van Beurden and Nico Swartz who took their Polo S1600 to 11th, Marko Himmel and Francois Schoonbee whose Polo R2 S1600 placed 16th, while Paulus Franken and Henry Kohne’s Manitou-liveried Polo S1600 was one place below. AC Potgieter and Tommu du Toit finished 18th.
