AC Potgieter (24) is leading the 2018 rally season
The team is geared up to take the title this year after having to settle for overall third place the last three years. His closest competitors are the reigning champion Guy Botterill and Richard Leeke. These three seem to bring out the best racer in each other.
SECUNDA – AC Potgieter has become a well-known name in the motorsport world.
This 24-year-old rally car driver has his sights set on the podium’s winner spot this year. At this stage in the 2018 rally season and with three rally races done, Potgieter is overall in the lead in the NR2 Premier Class, the national class.
In the latest race held at the Carousel on 25 and 26 May, Potgieter and his navigator, Nico Swartz, finished second in their class despite a few setbacks, such as a shattered front windscreen and a bent back axle.
The team is geared to take the title this year after having to settle for overall third place in the last three years. His closest competitors are the reigning champions, Guy Botterill and Richard Leeke. These three seem to bring out the best in each other.
Potgieter’s racing career began six years ago. He proved his talent and dedication to the sport in the first few races. “But I have grown so much since then and have learned much more about racing, competition and life in general,” he admitted.
There are four more rallies ahead in this year’s championship and the team will have to travel to Port Elizabeth in July for the Algoa Rally, to Bronkhorstpruit in August and to Bella-Bella in October, but not before Potgieter competes on his home turf in September.
The Secunda Rally has been moved to September during the annual spring festivities at Lake Umuzi, Potgieter’s largest sponsor.
“I am extremely thankful to all my sponsors. It costs about R120 000 per race to compete. This includes the service and maintenance of the car,” explained Potgieter. He is still racing in his 1600 VW Polo.
Mr Johan Potgieter, AC’s father and racing manager, has for several years been very involved with South African racing and is instrumental to bringing the Secunda Rally to life.
“In our time the main man to beat was Sarel van der Merwe. I now see a whole new generation of racers rising up. This is very exciting,” he said.
Potgieter has also competed on regional level, winning most of the time.
