OREANDA-NEWS. April 23, 2012. Motoring enthusiasts from across the country are bracing themselves for an exhilarating weekend at the Sasol Rally, which kicks off on 19 April in Mpumalanga. Celebrating its 21st year, the Sasol Rally is the premier event on the South African rally calendar and is the second leg of the African National Championship.

Team Sasol Rally has two cars participating in the event. The first is piloted by Mark Cronje and navigated by Robin Houghton who won the first leg in the Tour Natal in March. In the second car, is Jon Williams and navigator Cobus Vrey. Both teams will be competing in the S2000 Class and they will use Sasol Turbo Fuel and Techno Oil in all the stages.

According to Alan Cameron, Managing Director of Sasol Oil, the Sasol Rally is a great family event that offers thrills for all ages. The stages of the rally are designed to provide superior spectator points, allowing the public to experience the rally up close. “We’re excited for this year’s event as the competition has the best rally drivers and teams participating. The Sasol Rally is open to all and I urge the Mpumalanga community to come and watch the cars in action.”

Sasol has been involved in motorsport since 1962 and is regarded as one of the pioneers in the development of racing fuels in South Africa. It continuously undertakes advanced research and development at its Fuels Application Centre in Muizenberg, Cape Town, to provide the South African market and Team Sasol with products suited to local conditions.

“The rally’s extreme conditions test Sasol’s products to the limit where proven technology meets high performance. We work closely with our fuels research facility and the University of Cape Town and this relationship ensures we have the best fuels and oils for South African conditions,” added Cameron.

The Sasol Rally consists of 19 stages, made up of three tar, 15 gravel stages, and the not to be missed, super special stage taking place at Spaghetti Junction in the Nelspruit CBD on Saturday morning at 07h45. In this stage two equally matched rally cars will, in a spectacular show of power and skill, race simultaneously to the finish line.

The rally will see thousands of enthusiasts descend upon the Nelspruit, White River and Sabie areas. The influx of people will make a significant contribution to the local economy.

“Without the support and partnership with the Mpumalanga Provincial Government, the Local Municipality and York Timbers we would not be able to stage an event of this magnitude. The well being of the communities is important to us and we want to ensure that we make a lasting difference,” said Cameron.

Sasol will be donating a mobile library unit, equipped with 600 books to Rob Ferreira High School, while White River Primary School will be receiving Sasol Blue Boxes, which contain science equipment, early literacy reading books and science education material.

The Sasol Rally kicks off with scrutineering and safety checks in Sabie on Thursday, 19 April with plenty of laid-on entertainment for enthusiasts and families alike. The hardcore action starts on Friday, 20 April at 10h00 from Sabie’s Market Square, and ends at the Nelspruit Show Grounds on Saturday, 21 April with the first cars due from 16h00.