The countdown is on for the JAC Henties Bay Rally 2026, with the fourth round of the National Rally Championship set to return for coastal showdown on 19 September 2026.
The event marks the return of competitive rallying to Henties Bay after more than a decade, with the last rally in the town held around 2012.
The Henties Bay Golf Club will serve as the main hub for the weekend, bringing together competitors, officials, supporters, friends and families for a celebration of motorsport on the coast.
A total of 20 teams are entered for the eight stages, 104.45 kilometres event, competing across the S and CR classes.
The field features a diverse selection of machinery, including Toyota Corollas, VW Polos, Toyota Hiluxes, a Nissan Hardbody, Renault Duster, BMW, Ford Focus and several four-wheel-drive vehicles. Competitors will tackle eight special stages covering 104.45 kilometres, setting the stage for a demanding day of high-speed competition.
Among the notable entries are Ruan Viviers and Cecil Koorts in the Century CR6, while Ekko Eisenberg and Horazio Rietz will campaign the JAC T8 D/Cab V8. In CR3, Steven Marnewick and Roche Louw will compete in a Zarco, while Mathys and Anja Pretorius will take on the stages in a Renault Duster.
The S classes feature Pieter Greeff and JP Robinson in a Toyota Corolla, Wido Bartsch and Raymond Fourie in a Toyota Yaris, and Stefan Bartsch and Alexa Montagu-Fryer in a VW Polo.
Other entries include Werner Bartsch and Christel Fourie in a Land Rover V8 Defender, Stefan Labuschagne and Rene Botha in a JAC T8 4×4, SJ Schoeman and Chane Havenga in a Toyota Hilux, and Chrizelda Kritzinger and Ruan de Lange in a Nissan Hardbody.
The three late entries bringing the field to 20 are Nico and Meyerine Smith in a Chenoworth, Zachary Martin and Anique Schoeman in a VW Polo 2.0, and George and Jannie Goetzee in a Ford Focus.
According to Derek Jacobs of the Namibia Motorsport Federation, competitors can expect an interesting and challenging route. One of the highlights is a remarkable nine-kilometre straight, but crests and other tricky sections mean drivers will still need to remain focused.
By Rudi Bowe
