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Two Navaras and a Can Am ready to race

Red-Lined Motoring Adventures is raring to race with three entries in as the South African Cross Country Championship emerges from lockdown for the second round Bronkhorstspruit 400 on 14 and 15 August, the first of four remaining races in three rounds of a re-imagined post-Covid series. 

The team will field a brand new FIA class Dragon Energy Nissan Navara VK56 for Ernest Roberts and Henry Kohne, while Terence Marsh and Letshego Zulu will be back in the older specification Class T Red-Lined Nissan Navara VK50 and young Kent Rutherford has the experienced Gerhard Schutte reading the notes on his second outing in the Red-Lined Development Youth Program Can Am Side-by Side class buggy.

Roberts and Kohne are keen to make good on their fine pace in treacherous conditions last time out, what now seems an eternity ago at the season-opening Dullstroom 400, before being sidelined with a gearbox glitch. “We were very happy with how we went until we stopped late in the day in Mpumalanga,” Ernest confirmed. “Hopefully a clean run this weekend can bring a good result — a podium would be perfect.”

Marsh and Zulu will be back for more after a great run to the finish in round 1, although the team will have a substitute navigator in the hot seat in Friday’s prologue. “Letshego is talking at a FNB seminar on women's empowerment on Friday and won’t make our Prologue deadline,” Terence pointed out. “So we will have a substitute guide me through Friday’s stage to a good starting position so Letshego and I can celebrate women’s month with a power performance on Saturday.” 

Red-Lined is running its Can Am Side-by-Side as part of its new Youth Development Program once again this weekend and while young Rutherford follows up on his fine debut behind the wheel, he is no stranger to the SA Cross Country Series. “l sat in the hot seat navigating for my dad for two seasons and he read my notes in the last race,” 18-year old Kent explained. “This weekend I will however have one of the best in the business showing me the way in Gerhard, so I can’t wait to get out there!” 

The Bronkhorstspruit 400 will run to strict Covid-19 protocols with no spectators, while Red-Lined and the rest of the teams adhere to all government and MSA requirements from social distancing to masks and the rest. “We are set for a Covid-19 excursion this weekend - what better way is there to social distance than racing through the mielie fields wearing a helmet and balaclava as a mask?” team principal Marsh concluded. "We have a few extra rules and regulations and we will miss the fans, but we are looking forward to a positive weekend ahead — bring it on!” 

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Red-Lined Motorsport

What:South African Cross Country Auto Round 2 Preview
Where:Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng
When:14-15 August 2020
Community:South Africa National

For further information please contact terence@redlined.co.za

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