Horn brothers are the SA Cross Country Series Class T Champions
In their most memorable season yet, Malalane motorsport competitors Johan and Werner Horn won the Class T Championship title for 2017.
Johan and Werner Horn secured the title of Class T Champions with a third overall spot in the Altas Copco Gold 400 at the end of October, the final race in this year’s SA Cross Country Series.
The pair came in behind Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Hilux’s Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz, and Henk Lategan and Barry White in the Ford NWM Puma Lubricants Ranger.
The Horn Brothers started the season with a class win and second overall spot at the Lichtenburg 400, followed by a fourth place in the Battlefields 400.
READ: Horn brothers prove victorious in opening round of SA Cross Country Series
In round three, they came first in their class and second overall in their most challenging race yet – the Toyota Desert Race 1000.
READ: Horn Brothers place third in tough desert race
Due to some brake issues, the duo came in fourth at the Harrismith 400, but sorted it out for a class win at the Sun City 400.
The Horn Brothers had very few technical challenges this season and attribute it and their success to pre-race testing and the excellent prep work of the Malalane Toyota technical team; specifically Jan van Loggerenberg, JD Brink, Piet Beetge and Dryke Brytenbach.
READ: T Class glory for Johan and Werner Horn at Nkomazi 450
Johan and Werner grew up in the rally world as their father used to race, but state that practice is key. “You need to watch your fitness levels, as the more unfit you are, the more tired you get and then the more mistakes you make. Being a driver, you have to rely on your navigator and therefore have good communication skills as well. A driver who has technical knowledge has an advantage because you know why your car is handling the way it is, so you know where it needs to be improved. Being in the motor trade benefits us in this department,” the brothers explained.
They said their racing would not have been possible without their sponsors.
They feel the support of their family, as well as their technical team, gave them the extra edge to push themselves further.
They cite their supporters both at races and on social media as a reason why their rally experience is one to remember. “Had we not won the championship this year, I am sure we would still feel like winners because of them,” the Horn brothers said.
The champions are now going to prepare the Hilux for the next season, but have not decided on their plans yet. “We’ll see if we can line up any sponsors and should we race, we hope to defend our title in 2018,” they concluded.
