Competitors with different skill and experience levels are taking on the toughest 4×4 challenge in Africa – here are their results
If you’ve been following the Nissan Spirit of Africa, you might know there’s been some challenging weather, icy cold conditions and many first-timers as well as experienced riders. The weather didn’t really give the competitors a break in the second week: adjustments to the course were necessary on day 7, and on day 14 the pouring rain meant the day’s event was cancelled. But that doesn’t mean anyone had less fun – between the adrenaline and the laughs, some even jokingly dubbed it the ‘South African Fast & Furious’. Several companies have taken the opportunity to either do some team building or to give their clients the ride of their life. Other competitors do it in family or friend groups.
The challenge works like this: each team starts with a set number of points. For every mistake you make, like hitting a pole, you lose points. The higher your point score at the end of the day, the higher you place in the day’s results. The point score also determines whether you place in the overall top 20 of the event. For speed events, there is a time limit set for which drivers should aim if they want to finish in the top list of drivers. With Nissan being the main sponsor of the event, they’ve shifted up a gear in their commitment to adventure, innovation and performance and all the challenges are done in Nissan Navara vehicles.
It makes for the perfect showcase of what the Nissan Navara can do in terms of its all-terrain capabilities and advanced technologies.
“This event embodies the spirit of daring to move and embarking on exciting adventures: values that are at the core of Nissan’s DNA. We are proud to lend our name to this event and celebrate the adventurous spirit of South Africans while showcasing the capabilities of the locally-built Nissan Navara,” says Stefan Haasbroek, chief marketing manager and director at Nissan Africa.
Renowned for its challenging terrain and stirring atmosphere, the Spirit of Africa was created by eleven-time South African Rally Drivers champion and local motor racing legend, Sarel van der Merwe. It has been described as the “toughest 4×4 challenge in Africa” and provides the “average” driver with an opportunity to test their off-road driving ability in a competitive environment.
Results day 6 – 15
Day 6
3rd place with 972 points – Poena and Wian Poegenpoel
2nd place with 984 points – HW Beukes and JT Joubert
1st place with 1028 points – Steven and Snaff van Wyk
Day 7
3rd place with 905 points: Dante and Hannes de Wet
2nd place with 913 points: Hannu Kruger and Wayne Poisson
1st place with 950 points: Michael and Duanne Bodenstein
Day 8
3rd place with 1023 points – Armand and Anton de Beer
2nd place with 1110 points – Ronnie and Leon
1st place with 1140 points – Jan and Stephan de Villiers
Day 9
3rd place with 789 points – Paul Steenkamp and Antonie Botes
2nd place with 825 points – Jurgens Coetzee and Ian Mcpherson
1st place with 934 points – Mike and Louis van den Berg
Day 10
3rd place with 940 points – Rudolf de Vos and Francois Vermaak
2nd place with 970 points – Paul Kyiacou and Johan Ferreira
1st place with 1311 points – Mike and Louis van den Berg
Day 11
3rd place with 894 points – Ruan Bester and Theunie Haasbroek
2nd place with 952 points – Larry Landman and Tjaart van der Walt
1st place with 1021 points – Juan Grant and Theunis van Greuning
Day 12
3rd place with 762 points – Jaryd and Dylan Raffanti
2nd place with 846 points – Willie Pretorius and Trevor Hankey
1st place with 879 points – Johan and Jaco Kruger
Day 13
3rd place with 1153 points – Zak and Karien Otto
2nd place with 1170 points – Bertis Swanepoel and Peet van Niekerk
1st place with 1215 points – Dewet and Christiaan Otto
Day 14
CANCELLED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER
Day 15
3rd place with 1095 points – Bennie and Erica Kotze
2nd place with 1103 points – GP Pretorius and Pieter van Zyl
1st place with 1160 points – Benjamin Kotze and Charla Marais
Watch them all in action through the YouTube series here – Nissan Spirit of Africa YouTube series
More about the Nissan Navara
This year’s event is characterised by a fleet of 20 Nissan Navara’s taking on the tough challenge – just proving that you can take on any task or adventure with this new, locally-produced 4×4. Made with customers in mind to suit functional and lifestyle needs, the Nissan Navara features a payload of up to 1 144kg (SC) and a powerful 2,5 litre intercooled Turbo Diesel engine or a 2,5 litre petrol engine. The Intelligent Mobility equips you with the tools to be more confident, connected and safer on the road – whether you’re on your way to work or navigating the Spirit of Africa. Find out more about its excellent features here.
Nissan Adventure Club
If you’re sitting at home and dying to have some action of your own, join the Nissan Adventure Club for exciting merchandise, more info about the Nissan Navara’s capabilities, events, trips discussions and a series of Adventure Club e-books to download, like planning your trip in SA accessories and eco awareness.
