TZANEEN – The eagerly awaited NTT Tzaneen Rally, originally scheduled for the weekend of May 30-31, has been postponed once again.

However, the organising committee is urging motorsport fans not to lose hope, the event will still take place in the coming weeks.

Theuns Joubert, who serves in an advisory role to the organising committee, explained that recent weather conditions forced the delay. “The heavy rains in the area left most of the rally routes waterlogged.

The ground is still saturated, making it impossible to use the heavy machinery needed to grade and prepare the roads,” he said.

“Once the area dries out enough, we’ll repair the routes and announce a new date soon.”

Despite the setback, local excitement remains high, especially among seasoned rally drivers like Eddie Simpson. With 18 years of experience in both regional and national competitions, Simpson said he’s thrilled to be racing on home turf again.

“I’m excited to be back behind the wheel here at home. Tzaneen is one of my favourite places to compete,” Simpson told the Herald.

He highlighted the Tzaneen Dam stages and the Politsi Canal route as personal favourites, calling them “exhilarating.”

Simpson confirmed he will participate in the Saturday leg of the rally once it resumes.

The rally is more than just a race; it is a celebration of Tzaneen’s motorsport heritage. According to the official NTT Tzaneen Rally Facebook page, the town first hosted a national rally in 1971.

However, records show the region had already experienced gravel racing as early as 1967, during the PMC Mountain Trial en route to Lourenço Marques (now Maputo).

“The rugged forest roads of Tzaneen quickly earned a reputation as some of the toughest and most thrilling in the country,” the page states.

The town remained a staple in the National Rally Championship until 2005, when it took a 17-year hiatus. Even during that break, Tzaneen hosted the rally for 20 consecutive years in the Northern Regions Rally Championship, a South African record.

With its return now just around the corner, fans can look forward to two days of high-speed excitement, showcasing the spirit, skill, and adrenaline that make rallying in Tzaneen so unique.

For updates and announcements, follow the official NTT Tzaneen Rally Facebook page.