BOTTERILL AND VACY-LYLE TO COMPETE IN RALLY OF SOUTH AFRICA

With a third place in the Volkswagen Rally in the S1600 class, KZN-based Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle are looking forward to add to their points in the 2012 South African Rally Championship.

In a bid to run a round of the World Rally Championship in 2014, the Rally of South Africa was moved to KZN and will be run in the spectacular roads in the Valley of a 1000 hills and the Richmond Forests on Friday 17 and Saturday, 18 August.

"This is going to be an extremely tough week for the crew," said Guy. "We will be testing the car on Monday, and preparation has all gone according to plan after the muddy VW Rally," he added. "Wednesday and Thursday are the official reconnaissance check days in line with World Rally Championship regulations, with the official start on Friday at 11h30.

Having spent his early childhood days on a family timber farm in Richmond, one can say that the event is being held in his backyard, the only difference being that Guy probably spent his time on these roads on a tricycle and a bicycle. Most of his racing career has been circuit racing, karting from a young age and slowly progressing to other forms of circuit racing, and a very successful stint in the Shelby series before switching to rallying.

Competing in the S1600 class in their Yato/Liqui Moly/Tsogo Sun sponsored Toyota Run-X, Guy and Simon have to be among the favourites to win the class, as they consistently posted good stage times throughout the first half of the 2012 season. "It was disappointing to be forced to retire from two events, one in the pen-ultimate stage, whilst leading comfortably," said Botterill this weekend whilst taking time to watch the African Open Karting Championship at Idube.

"I am feeling confident about the event and Simon and I have spent some extra time on the notes. I do believe it is going to be a very competitive event with the fast, sweeping stages in the Valley of a 1000 Hills and then switching to the tighter forest stages on Saturday."

Spectators can get close to the rally team at the service parks on Friday at the Moses Mabida Stadium and at the Richmond Country Club on Saturday. Rally information is available on https://www.rallysa.co.za and you can follow the Botterill Race team on facebook.

Picture Caption: Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle in the Yato Toyota Run-X.