Maqonda Ndlovu
This year’s edition of the M&Z 2023 Tara Rally was very competitive with more cars finishing the race than in previous years.
Speaking to New Era Sport yesterday, Richard Slamet, the chairperson of both the Windhoek Motor Club and the organisers of the 53rd M&Z Tara Rally, said the 2023 event did not have any major issues, with only one car catching fire on Friday, but did not cause any serious damage.
“It was good for us this year. The rally was well attended with a lot of spectators coming through on both days.
We had some good racing and that was exciting for the fans,” Slamet said.
He added that a lot of work had gone into organising the event with the involvement of Nampol, City Police, farm owners along the race route, homeowners in Omeya and Windhoek as well as motor racing clubs.
A total of 17 local drivers competed in 12 different stages of the rally in Windhoek and Rehoboth over two days.
Only four drivers failed to finish the race.
In terms of the race itself, the Rally Class saw Wilro Dippenaar and his navigator Carolyn Swan emerge the overall winners ahead of Allan Martin and Maretha Olivier.
The third place belonged to Zachary Martin and Jannie Coetzee.
In the Super Car finish, Paul Oosthuizen and Johan du Plessis took the top podium place while Rian Kritzinger and Ian Stander were winners of the Challenge Class.
Slamet said the organisers are looking forward to next year’s event which they promised would be bigger and better.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Rally Championship will take place on 14 and 15 July in Gobabis.