Summarize

Red-Lined Motorsport returned somewhat victorious from the South African Safari Rally over the past week. But it was a far bigger event in so many ways for the team in South Africa’s maiden World Rally Raid Championship round. The legendary Red-Lined VK56 may have added to its incredible international record of T1.1 class wins, but it was the team’s showing with a pair of thrilling young guns aboard its newly developed Red-Lined REVO T1+ GT-R in the top Ultimate class, that really had tongues wagging at the Sun City race. 

”Our Red-Lined young gun crew of Jayden Els and Johann Swemmer had the world sitting up and asking who on earth they were as they lit up the timing screens during several stages of the Safari Rally in our factory REVO GT-R,” Red-Lined team principal Terence Marsh explains. “Jaden and Johann scored an impressive two top five stage results as well as a 7th place during the prologue during the six-day event as they challenged for the lead among an elite field of the best race cars and crews in the world.

“Unfortunately, the lads hit a technical gremlin with one of our new development components during the marathon stage which literally took us two minutes to rectify once we had identified what it was, but it ultimately ended up costing us a potential top ten result overall. But Jaden and Johann certainly shook the trees and grabbed the attention of the W2RC establishment which was exactly in line with our overall strategy for them. So, in that respect, we certainly walk away proud from a positive week of development and learnings with a significant Safari Rally feather in our cap.

“On the other side of the Red-Lined spectrum, the Safari Rally was once again a huge success for our previous generation T1 VK series race cars with yet another splendid T1.1 class display with a 1-2 overall result. Our Sirkel N team mates, privateers and current South African T1 champions Gerhard and Rudi Heinlein won the class on their international debut aboard their Red-Lined VK56 finishing just ahead of younger brother Nickus Heinlein alongside Jaco Kriel aboard their Red-Lined VK50. A hugely proud moment for both Red-Lined as well as father Rudi and sons Gerhard and Nickus!

"Moving across to our two normally aspirated V8 powered Red-Lined REVO T1+, Danie Ludick and Denzil Williamson put in another near perfect run to an incredible 20th overall on their international debut in their Elegant Fuels sponsored race machine. Despite only ever racing three regionals and a couple of nationals last year before making their international debut this week, Danie and Denzil never climbed out of the car during what was an incredibly clean run. All we had to do each day was clean, refuel and check the tyre pressures! 

“The ever-consistent Philip Botha and Roelof Janse van Vuren’s initial impressive step up to their new Penta sponsored REVO T1+ unfortunately came to an abrupt end with a broken input shaft during the final stage. They however gained plenty of learnings and much needed experience on their international debut with this somewhat different and more challenging format of racing and navigation.

“Our second factory Red-Lined REVO GT-R team, development crew Dutch driver Rients Hofstra and local notes man Wade Harris spent the week trying different components and set-ups each day. They enjoyed a positive week of testing and development while running a different drivetrain and steering rack as well as other development parts each day. So once again, lots of good insights and learnings which were in line with our development strategy for this pairing during the event.

“And then to add to our overall results, our experienced Dutch team mates Dave and Tessa Klaassen in their DaklaPack Rallysport REVO T1+ GTR, went on to successfully finish this tough and challenging event with no major issues.  They went on to add another big international event finish to what is already an impressive CV.

“I must congratulate every member of our Red-Lined Motorsport team on a great collective effort, but at the same time we need to recognise the incredible effort the organizers put in to stage what is now considered by many, to be the best event on the World Cup calendar. This maiden international race tested the world’s finest crews to the very limit with a splendid, challenging route full of navigational challenges which kept competitors and teams on their toes throughout an incredible week of world class racing. 

“As South Africans we can be immensely proud of hosting this world class event for the first time in our country. Well done to each and every one that contributed to the overall success of this event!