V-Power Rally to hit Walvis

Rudi Bowe

The powerful roar of the engines of rally cars will be echoing through Walvis Bay’s streets as Walvis Bay Motor Club (WBMC) under the auspices of the NMSF (Namibian Motorsport Federation)and local businesses, is hosting the 2019 V-Power Walvis Bay Rally this coming Saturday, 17 August. The Rally will have various stage in- and around Walvis Bay.

Motor racing fans expect coastal rally drivers Allan Martin and navigator Maretha Olivier, Jan Everson and navigator Fanie Botes and youngster Zachary Martin and navigator Mandy Hugo to keep the coast’s rally flag flying high.
This year’s edition of the V-Power Walvis Bay Rally will probably be the biggest road race event of the year at the coast.
There will be a few “spectator friendly” stages for all racing enthusiast to enjoy. Coastal rallies are normally the best rallies and everyone is looking forward to it.
About 20 rally cars will be in action in the S1, S2, S3, and S4 class.
The 10 stages will cover 124.8 km in- and around Walvis Bay in total. The rally starts at the Walvis Bay Express Service Station (opposite Cymot) and also where all pre-race activities will take place as from 07:00.
The first race starts at 10:00, says WBMC chairperson Jan Everson.
Jan Everson and Fanie Botes as his navigator will compete in their S2 class with their Seal Consulting Engineers-sponsored front wheel drive VW Polo S2000. The duo started their rally career in 2012.
Everson and Botes had bad luck with technical faults to their vehicle this year and as a result could not complete the three rallies they had for the year.
Everson added this time round they are expecting better luck with the vehicle in good shape. They have their hopes high for a place at the podium.
Martin entered the 49th Tara Rally with Derek Jacobs as his navigator and finished 3rd in his class and third overall in 2017. He also won the 1000 Dunes Rally in Walvis Bay. He entered the Tara with Marietta Olivier as his navigator in a 2 litre 16 Valve 2008 model Polo Vivo (4×4) aptly named “Try me 2”.
Over the past years, Martin competed in 32 rallies with various navigator. It yielded three first places and ten second places with in his Volkswagen 4×4 16 Valve Polo Vivo S2000 (4×4) named “Try me 2”.
He finished second overall in the Gobabis Rally and Swakopmund Rally and due to mechanical difficulties to his vehicle could not complete the Tsumeb Rally.
Martin will race in his brand new Skoda R5 that he imported from the Czech Republic. He is the first and only rally driver owning a Skoda in Southern Africa and one of only three in Africa.
“With dedication, hard work and a lot of savings my five year dream has become a reality” said Allen Martin who is the reigning champion of the Walvis Bay Rally.
Zachary Martin will be racing in his sixth rally, with a new navigator – Mandy Hugo, the daughter Marietta Olivier. He takes on his opponents in his S1600 Golf MK1.
Drivers such as Jaco Redelinghuys, Dries Booysen, Wilro Dippenaar, Riaan van der Westhuizen, Marthinus Malan, Paul van Niekerk, Ettienne van den Heever, Willy van Wyk, Johan Bergh, Herman Robberts, Marco Luis, Jannie Coetzee, Welmie Kuhn and René van Wyk are some of names that will also been seen in action in the ten stages. They are all contenders to be reckoned with.

GENERAL SPECTATING RULES:
Whilst the promoters and organisers of the Rally have taken every possible precaution for the safety of the spectators, it is only possible to keep everyone safe if they cooperate.
Rallies are about vehicles driving at high speed and every spectator must understand to attend is at own risk and everyone are asked to always stay on the safe side and adhere to signs and instructions.
Please stand in safe spectator areas. People are also requested to refrain from alcohol consumption.
Also, take caution when you are a spectator along the airport road heats. Only use dedicated vehicle parking areas and spectator posts and don’t make u-turns on the airport road as this could lead to deadly accidents.
Perimeter tape will be used to demarcate the section of stage parallel to the main road. This is a very dangerous section of the Rally and NO cars or spectators are allowed in these areas.
The first of the ten stages will proceed from Walvis Express Service Station to the roundabout and exit on the C14 towards the Walvis Bay International Airport. Turn right on to the D1983 and continue towards the starting point of the stage. No spectator points available on this stage. Cars can however be seen traveling parallel with the D1983 at various areas.
Stage 10 – Civic Centre: First car due at 16:18, cars will proceed from Stage 9 to the roundabout and take the 2nd exit towards the fishing factories. Turn left at Nangolo Mbumba
Drive and proceed to Civic Centre. Please park at the old Spur parking area. NO parking in Nangolo Mbumba Drive. Please be careful and adhere to signs and instructions of officials for safe areas. Do not cross the areas marked by tape or enter the demarcated areas.
The first of eight stages are set in the on outskirts of Walvis Bay, with the ninth stage a super special stage in the vicinity of the Industrial Area (Weigh Bridge). The day’s racing activities conclude at Civic Centre (stage 10).