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Tony Rust Track Gets its surface Into top gear

2014-02-06  Staff Report 2

Tony Rust Track Gets its surface Into top gear
"Donna Collins BY the time work has been completed on the Tony Rust Race track, it will measure up to an FIA international standard raceway,  and Namibia will be in a position to host any type of world class motorsport at this facility - with exception to F1. Woema received this good news during an exclusive interview, by newly elected Chairperson of Windhoek Motor Club, Christiaan Liebenberg, who is driving the committee for the third consecutive term. Currently the N$500 000 race track re-surface project of the Tony Rust Race Track -  a joint venture between the Windhoek Motor Club (WMC) and the Ministry Youth, Sport & Culture, is making headway as the top coat of the re-surfaced tar track is being put down, which will completing the final phase of the re-surfacing project. Depending on the rains, work should be finished by the end of this week. An Okahandja construction company - Colas Construction who were was responsible for laying the tar track last year, got stuck into the re-surfacing work at the Tony Rust  during January. They first had to repair the potholes and corners which broke up after the track took a beating during the grand re-opening race in November. However, with the first race of the 2014 season scheduled for 8 March, all parties are confident that the job is done, and there is enough time for the track to settle. Plans to enlarge the go-Kart track and extend the drag strip are also underway, for this year still. In addition the next and final phase will comprise an enforcement barrier going up between the race track and spectator viewing points, to be finalised in 2015. “ When we are finished with the curbs and the barriers, the Tony Rust Track will be a FIA international approved race track, and can host any type of motorsport,” enthused  Liebenberg , who with four years under his belt is sitting for an additional two years as WMC Chairperson. “After the re-surfacing we will be able to invite some of the major motorsport clubs in South Africa, because we can now offer them one of the best racing arena’s in Africa, and we can look forward to some serious racing on our own doorstep, “ he boasted, adding. “Indications that the Western Province Motor Club are looking at bringing up 18 Mustangs ‘V8 Masters’  to race this year, are exciting, with details still being discussed. The Tony Rust Race Track host all the event codes of  motorsport, inclusive of racing, rally-X, drag racing, oval track, motorcycles and Carting. The three phase track re-surface project, is a milestone in the history of motorsport, with the  2.6 kilometre and ten meter wide circuit track being  saved after 30 years of non-stop racing, which had taken its toll. Liebenberg pointed out that the re-surfacing of the Tony Rust Race Track is the biggest achievements he has accomplished during his tenure as WMC Chairperson, pointing out that the club also were instrumental for upgrading the whole race track complex as well as the promotion of motorsport. “But nothing was possible without the hard work and dedication of the committee, plus sponsors and supporters who went that extra mile to keep motor port alive in Namibia,” he added, saying. “This year we are going to work even harder.” After lengthy negotiations between the WMC and the, a sum of N$500 000 was released for repairs specifically on the Tony Rust Race Track, which saw the re-surfacing process begin in August, 2013.  Minister Jerry Ekandjo finalised the deal, and gave the green light during the end of July 2013, when they handed over the money for the project, to the WMC who are custodians of the Tony Rust Track. “Without Government’s input this would not have been possible, and we would have lost the track, and eventually circuit racing in Namibia would have hit a dead end, but now we are ready for bigger and better action,” concluded Liebenberg.   "
2014-02-06  Staff Report 2

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