Nkomazi 450 set to send the dust flying
Are you ready for this weekend's action-packed Nkomazi 450? Local brothers Johan and Werner Horn will be among the competitors hoping to improve their standings.
Local motorsport fans will have the opportunity to see brothers Johan and Werner Horn in action in their Malalane Toyota Hilux at this weekend’s Nkomazi 450.
The action starts tomorrow at 11:30 with the qualifying race to determine grid positions and the main race will kick off at 08:30 on Saturday. The race map is available in the PDF version of this week’s Corridor Gazette, with spectator’s guides available at Malalane Toyota and Riverview Prep School, which acts as race headquarters.
The Horn siblings are looking forward to good results in round five of the Donaldson Cross Country Motor Racing Championship, tomorrow and Saturday.
The race is the ideal opportunity for the Horns to get their disappointing season back on track and repay their fans in the Malalane area.
“We went into the season with high expectations, but it has not turned out that way,” said eldest brother Johan. “But that is motorsport and the Nkomazi 450 offers the chance to show our real potential, and to pay back the fans for all the support they have given us.”
The brothers are currently in ninth place in the Production Vehicle Championship and seventh in the Class T Championship for cars over four litres and with solid-axle rear suspension.
“We haven’t had much luck this season,” said co-driver Werner. “It has been frustrating but a really good result in our own backyard will make it all better. Home-town support means there will be a fair amount of pressure on us to do well, but we’ll treat it like any other race and give it our best shot.”
The Nkomazi 450 follows a new route this year, which runs alongside the N4 and through sugar-cane fields and bushveld.
“I am not sure that racing on home ground is that much of an advantage,” said Johan. “All the teams have raced here before so they are familiar with the prevailing conditions, and a new route levels this year’s playing field.”
The race headquarters, start/finish and designated service park will be set up at Riverview Prep School, just outside Malalane. Entrance to these areas, as well as the spectator points along the route, is free and gives fans a front row seat to the action. Spectator guides are available at race headquarters and Malalane Toyota.
Bring the whole family to enjoy the festive atmosphere, as a variety of entertainment and refreshments will be on offer.
