Due to the recent wildfires around the Tzaneen area, including Magoebaskloof, Georges Valley, and the Wolkberg Nature Reserve, the organisers decided on postponing the race, which was scheduled for August 30-31, until further notice,” says Eric de Jager of the rally organising committee. The rally is a key event in the South African National Rally Championship and has been deemed one of the best organised races in the country by participants.

According to the Letaba Fire Protection Association (LFPA) the fire danger index is extremely high this year due to dry conditions and humidity levels dropping below 15%. “The severe dryness means even a cigarette butt could ignite a veldfire, posing a significant risk to the region. “The event is held on private and state-owned land, which has already suffered significant fire damage in the past few weeks, and to prevent any further chances of fires they have requested the event be moved,” De Jager says.

Also read: Tzaneen NTT Rally a thrilling affair

“The organisers are understandably despondent about the postponement, but we want to emphasise that the safety of competitors and the future use of the roads are their top priorities. This is not a goodbye but a see you later,” he says. De Jager says the rally might still take place later this year, if it rains. If it does not rain in the near future, it will be postponed to early next year. The Tzaneen leg of the rally constitutes the seventh and eighth stages of the SA championship.

In the past local drivers such as Theuns Joubert, Eric de Jager, Peter Pilusa, and Louis Menge, among others, showed off their driving skills. However, Menge and Pilusa told the Herald that they will not be part of this year’s event. Joubert said that he is hoping that his car will be ready by the time the event takes place as he is still awaiting parts to arrive from overseas. “The organisers remain committed to delivering an exciting and safe event for all participants, spectators and landowners,”

De Jager concludes For more information on the SA rally, visit the website, nrcsa. co.za, or the Facebook page for the local rally, NTT Tzaneen Rally.