Ballito rally driver Benjamin Habig and navigator Barry White overcame mechanical setbacks to storm to victory in the NTT Tzaneen Rally.

The opening round of the 2025 SA Rally Championship comprised two full events on June 27 and 28, with rally drivers hurtling through the Limpopo town in a bid for early championship dominance.

White and Habig looked to be cruising in the first event on June 27, before losing power steering in their VW Polo 4WD for the final three stages of the day. Despite facing 40km of tricky terrain with limited control, the duo managed to grab a stage win under trying circumstances.

“It was a small consolation and we were glad to win the final stage to the delight of the spectators,” said Habig.

“We placed second on every other stage and the points for second overall are banked. Tomorrow is a new day, a new rally, and we reset.”

Habig’s behind-the-scenes team, led by his father Jan, worked overnight to ensure the car was in the best possible condition the next morning.

Their efforts paid off immediately, as Habig and White shot out of the blocks on June 28, racing to a massive early lead. They finished with three stage wins out of six and clinched overall victory by a commanding margin of more than seven minutes ahead of Jono van Wyk and Nico Swartz, who had won day one.

“Today was less stressful and the car ran without a hitch. We really managed to put up a good challenge and standing on the top step of the podium feels fantastic,” said Habig.

“As usual, Barry never skipped a beat and the connection in the car improves with every outing.”

Habig thanked his father and the technical team, along with sponsors and event organisers, for a successful weekend.

All attention now turns to the Algoa Rally on July 25 and 26, where Habig and White will return as defending champions.

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