Wheels_9March2017

Catch on e v i l

s u

March 9, 2017

Witness

4 FM 0 1

L A T I CAP ays d r u t a S 9­10 am

WHEELS

ADVERTISING: AVIR THULSIRAM ON 084 278 3447

… NOW YOU’RE MOTORING

U.S. owners survey Toyota gets most awards yet, Lexus and Porsche share top spot ALWYN VILJOEN THE latest JD Power Vehicle De­ pendability Study in the U.S., now in its 28th year, saw Toyota get 10 of the 18 segment awards — the highest number of awards yet to one group in the study.

The study covered 177 specific problems grouped into eight ma­ jor vehicle categories and JD Power staff called 35 186 owners to ask about problems experi­ enced in their three­year­old ve­ hicles — 2014 models in this case They determine overall de­ pendability by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100). A lower score shows higher quality.

The 10 top­selling 2014 model year vehicles had 134 complaints per 100 people, which is signifi­ cantly better than the industry average of 156 PP100.

Two perennial best sellers — the Ford F­150 and the Toyota Camry — again lead their seg­ ments with satisfied owners this year.

“We find buyers are increas­ ingly avoiding models with poor reputations for dependability, so manufacturers can’t afford to let quality slip, particularly on their best sellers,” said Dave Sargent, vice president, global automo­ tive at JD Power.

The group has found that in addition to impacting on pur­ chase decisions and brand loyal­ ty, better long­term quality is a key factor in contributing to higher resale values for vehicles.

JD Power estimates that Toyo­ ta — the highest­ranked non­ premium brand in the study — has a residual values benefit of more than $750 (R9 729) per ve­ hicle, compared with the average

brand. This translates into a ben­ efit of more than $1,3 billion for the 2014 model year in the U.S. market.

With an average of just 110 PP100 cars, Lexus and Porsche tied for top spot on the list, well clear of Toyota (123), Buick (126) and Mercedes­Benz (131).

Hyundai (133 PP100) was the most improved nameplate in the study, improving by 25 PP100 from 2016. At sixth position (up from 19th in 2016), this was Hyundai’s best ranking yet.

Jaguar surprised with 144, only one spot behind Honda (143) on the list, while Land Rover (178) proved more reliable than Ford and Jeep.

Most complaints A total of 22% of the owners had audio, communication, enter­ tainment, navigation (ACEN) complaints, up from 20% last

year. For a third consecutive year, the problems most reported by owners were Bluetooth pairing/ connectivity and built­in voice recognition misinterpreting the commands.

New to the top­10 list of prob­ lems reported in 2017 was battery failure. In fact, 44% more own­ ers reported a battery failure this year than in 2016.

Batteries were the most fre­ quently replaced component not related to normal wear and tear in three­year­old vehicles, at 6,1% — up 1,3 percentage points from 2016.

Lowest­ranked models Four of the bottom five marques were part of the Fiat Chrysler Group. Fiat owners (298) suffer 89 more problems than Jeep (209) in second­last place. Ford (183) didn’t fare much better, fall­ ing well short of average (156).

Owners of the 2014 Porsche Panamera GTS (top) and owners of the Lexus RC 350 report few faults. PHOTO: FILE

Drive powerfully.

Visit Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg to take advantage of our limited offer on the Audi A3 Sportback.

Model

Vehicle Price

Monthly Instalments

No. of Instalments

Interest Rate Linked/ Variable

Deposit

Balloon Payment

Total Cost Incl. Fees and Vat

Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 TFSI

R398 500

R5 099

60

8.35%*

10.04% (R40 009)

R175 340

R481 280

Offers calculated on the Audi A3 Sportback 1.0 TFSI in standard specification over 5 years. *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 10.75%. R5 099 monthly instalment respectively. Information subject to change without prior notification. All Finance offers are subject to credit approval from Audi Financial Services. Instalment amount includes initiation and monthly administration fee of R68.40. Audi Financial Services - a division of Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa (Pty) Ltd. An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply.

9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201. Tel: 033 940 1381. • www.audipietermaritzburg.co.za

The 13th Floor

Audi Centre Pietermaritzburg

2

WitnessWheels MOTORING

March 9, 2017

Electrifying supercars All­electric supercars are all the rage at today’s Geneva Motorshow in Switzerland ALWYN VILJOEN SWISS company Classic Cars is back, this time with the Elextra and the company is calling on in­ vestors “to come forward for open opportunities”, meaning car dealers who think they can sell what looks to be a R4 million car should contact them.

The Elextra is one of more than 10 celectric supercars at the Ge­ neva Motorshow that starts in

Switzerland today.

Classic Cars said in a statement they have combined in a team the highest level of engineering and craftsmanship available to create “a unique electric supercar with four seats, four doors, four­wheel drive, and capable of executing the 0­100 km/h sprint in less than 2,3 seconds”.

This is a blink faster than the Tesla Model S P100D version, which does 0­to­60­m/h time in

2,5 seconds in normal mode, and in 2,4 in “Ludicrous Plus” mode.

Swiss designer Robert Palm, who first featured in Wheels with his Lyonheart K interpretation of the Jaguar E­Type in 2013, and Danish entrepreneur Poul Sohl said the Elextra is based upon the best electric vehicle platform in the world and redefines the su­ percar.

The same claim is made in one form or the other by all the other

The Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e is an all­electric preview of the direction the British brand wants to go in the future.

PHOTO: BENTLEY

NextEV’s Nio EP9 from China in 2016 set high standards for electric supercars to follow, and many will be launching their efforts at the Geneva Motorshow today. PHOTO: NEXTEV electric supercar builders cur­ rently “muscling their flex” in factories around the world.

This include the Chinese elec­ tric car startup NextEV, who claim their Nio EP9 supercar, which was unveiled late Novem­ ber last year in London, to be the fastest electric super car in the world. According to NextEV, the EP9 goes from zero to 200 km/h in 7,1 seconds and tops out at 313 km/h.

They also claim their electric vehicle can be fully charged in 45 minutes and has a range of 427 kilometres.

It features an interchangeable battery system, which allows driv­ ers to swap out the empty cells in eight minutes.

Palm did not yet reveal any de­ tails to compare the Elextra to the EP9, but the numbers will have to be close to interest investors in rare cars.

For as was the case with the Ly­ onheart K, the Elextra is squarely aimed at the collector, with only 100 to be hand­built near Stutt­ gart in Germany.

Palm says: “The idea behind El­ extra is to combine pure lines re­ minding of the most exciting Ital­ ian super cars of the past, while being resolutely forward looking thanks to its low, sleek and beauti­ ful design, paired with today’s most advanced technology.”

The Vanda Dendrobium is designed by Singapore­based Vanda Electronics, who claims 321 km/h for the British­built electric supercar, which will start at R4 million.

PHOTO: VANDA

Seniors giving sideways glances

Mercedes­Benz and Pajero recalls

HENRY SPENCER

Mercedes­Benz and Mitsubishi have warned of recalls in South Africa.

Merc is recalling about one million cars and SUVs world­ wide because, says the automak­ er, a starter part can overheat and cause fires.

The recall covers certain C­Class, E­Class and CLA cars and GLA and GLC SUVs, all from 2015 through 2017, includ­ ing nearly 308 000 in the U.S. Mercedes­Benz South Africa said their technical team is inves­ tigating the number of vehicles in SA that are affected and will

THE most essential component of safe driving is our awareness of what is happening around us.

At intersections, for example, we need to be aware of vehicles on four sides of the car. But as we age, our peripheral vision de­ creases.

This happens at a rate of ap­ proximately one to three degrees per decade; i.e. in our mid 70s, we could have a 20° to 30° loss.

Many of us senior drivers may also experience limited flexibil­ The ‘Swindon Magic Circle’ shows how easy we have it with ity in our upper torso and our circles in SA, once you take minibus taxi drivers out of necks, making the detection of picture. PHOTO: BBC side­on hazards difficult.

Degenerative diseases, a sed­ vantage that you are more visible eliminate the taxi component, it entary lifestyle, poor posture, to oncoming traffic. may by comparison dawn upon trauma, arthritis, and even an in­ If circumventing a round­ you how simple South African correct pillow on which we rest about you make an error such as roads really are. our heads while sleeping, can all missing an exit, just go round Long hairstyles contribute to our not only hav­ again, indicating that you want Hair is one area where women ing, but also becoming a pain in to exit the circle. outdo (most) men for danger­ the neck. Given that age­related By law, all cars on your left ous distractions, especially losses will occur to varying de­ have to slow down a bit to make when their hair hangs down, grees, there are adaptive meas­ space, as the car on the right has covering half their faces. ures which will lessen the risk of the right of way in any circle.

A UK study reputedly claimed accidents.

Don’t (no matter how late you some scary numbers. Over Checking to the right are for your dementia support 190 000 women admitted expe­ Often in large, two­lane traffic group meeting) just drive across riencing a near­miss with other circles, one has two options to the traffic circle — as I once did traffic while driving, entirely due turn left — either take the glide­ to my shame over a traffic circle to hairstyles that restrict their off, or enter the circle and take in the UK in Swindon. Known peripheral vision. the first exit. there as the “Swindon Magic Yet, according to the survey, The former has a large blind Circle”, it comprises of a central sadly 67% of the respondents spot that requires you to swivel circle surrounded by five smaller continued to wear hairstyles your head approximately 150° to satellite circles and looks like a that would serve a better pur­ monitor the cars in that blind giant diabolical symbol when pose as blinkers on horses at a spot. However, if ones chooses seen from on high. race track. to drive directly to the round­ I must confess that I once be­ about and then turn left, the an­ came so frustrated and confused • Henry Spencer authors books on gle of turn reduces to less than that I did actually drive across ageing. More on halfmens@ 90°. This option also has the ad­ one of the smaller circles! If you telkomsa.net

inform owners and the media as soon as these numbers are known.

Affected models are certain A­/B­/C­/E­Class as well as CLA, GLA and GLC vehicles.

Mercedes­Benz SA success­ fully recalled 2 200 units in Feb­ ruary 2015 to fix a problem with an engine compartment seal that could ignite.

Mitsubishi Motors SA (MMSA) has issued a preventa­ tive recall on 7 449 Pajeros in South Africa to inspect and re­ place driver airbags.

Mitsubishi is one of several

vehicle manufacturers affected by the potentially defective air­ bag inflators manufactured by Takata, OEM airbag supplier to Mitsubishi and various other au­ tomotive brands.

MMSA is currently busy con­ tacting owners to arrange and co­ordinate the timing of the service inspections where air­ bags will be replaced at no cost.

The inspection and replacement procedure will take approxi­ mately one hour. — WR. More on www.mitsubishi­ motors.co.za/recall.

— Wheels Reporter.

Top­dropping good looks The world’s all­time best­selling roadster now drops its top in 13 seconds, and can be yours for R532 800. That’s some R266 400 per seat in the Mazda MX­5 2.0­litre RF Roadster Coupe Automatic, including a three­year unlimited kilometre factory warranty on all the tech inside, backed by a three­year service plan and three­year roadside assistance. PHOTO: MAZDA

MOTORING WitnessWheels

March 9, 2017

3

Creta confident of sales ALWYN VILJOEN drove Hyundai’s new mid­size SUV all night — and found there is a lot to like A DAY and a night spent driving in Hyundai’s new Creta have turned me from firm admirer to a big fan of the Korean brand.

I have admired the brand ever since the little turbo diesel Getz klapped all the other small hatches we tested in the mid­2000s. A small hatch that can fit in four beefy blokes and get over 20 km to a litre of diesel still gets my vote.

Then there was the Sonata, as smooth a drive at legal speeds as you can wish for.

I’ve also bought Hyundai’s even smaller hatch, the midget Atos, and with the help of me­ chanic Jens Denk turned it into the world’s fastest (and yeah, only) hybrid AWD Atos.

Neither the Getz nor Sona­ ta, and especially not my mutilated Atos, prepared me for the comfort in the Creta.

Five highlights worth noting My main claim to fame as a car com­ parer is a cracked coccyx, which makes me a super­sensitive tester of relative seat comfort. Having spent 25 hours in the new Creta’s seat, I can vouch, this is one comfy seat.

The ergonomic layout also meant that our very petite female tester at

Wheels, Shay Kalik, easily reached the pedals without bumping her knees against the steering wheel console, as often happens with shorter women.

There are four more highlights, starting with the brakes, which can stop the 1 760 kg Creta in a short 20 metres from 60 km/h — for just after you suddenly discov­ er there is no stop sign nor road mark­ ings on

the steep downhill leading into a town’s busy crossing.

The Creta comes with a choice of two engines — a diesel and a petrol — both 1,6 litres. The die­ sel consumption was impressive.

In the denser air at the coast in and around Cape Town, I got 6,7 litres per 100 km. Try as I might, I could not get this past 6,1 on an open road driving at about 800 metres above sea level,

which reminds one this is a ute with a high profile. Once I climbed to over a kilometre above sea level, the thinner air saw the consump­ tion fall to 5,9 while doing a steady 110 km/h with four people inside.

The fourth highlight is the ride height — at 19 cm high, this mid­ size ute was made for India’s ap­ palling roads, where it saw best sales of 10 000 units a month since it was introduced last year, This road clearance means the 16­inch rims with 205/65

Hyundai’s new Creta is the only automatic SUV selling for under R400 000, offering some of the best supporting seats in the business (left) and excellent overall value, but we predict these launch prices won’t last long.

PHOTO: QUICKPIC

Toyota’s C­HR reshapes the cross­over car WITH the C­HR, Toyota tar­ gets Millenials who are, ac­ cording to a statement, “pre­ dominantly driven by emo­ tional considerations”.

Glenn Crompton, vice­ president of marketing at To­ yota South Africa, said these customers want individuality, and to be the first to try new experiences and products.

Style and quality are essen­ tial considerations in any pur­ chase they make, and the car is an extension of their per­ sonality.

Viewed from any angle, the C­HR’s combination of facet­ ted gemstone­like shapes with fluid surfaces and elegantly in­ tegrated detailing creates a delicate balance of precision and sensuality. The C­HR’s coupe­like styling is further enhanced by disguised rear door handles integrated with­ in the C pillar and a sweeping roofline.

There is a whole lot going on visually with the CHR, some would say too much. PHOTO: TOYOTA The prominent rear light clusters give the rear view of the C­HR an equally express­ ive visual signature.

The driver­oriented area in­ corporates innovative details and intuitive, approachable technology. All operating switchgear and a display audio touch­screen are slightly an­ gled towards the driver. A

unique new two­tiered front seat design combines a slen­ der, sporting upper section (inspired by the “bucket” de­ sign of old) with a more strongly bolstered and sup­ portive lower area.

The Toyota C­HR is the first model in South Africa to use Toyota’s advanced new 1,2 litre turbo engine with a D­4T di­

rect injection system, VVTi­W, high compression ratio as well as a water­cooled turbo and heat­exchanger. The 1,197cc engine makes 85kW and 185 Nm from only 1 500 to 4 000 rpm. Fuel consump­ tion and CO2 ­, the manual car achieves 6,3 l/100 km on the combined cycle, and delivers just 141 g/km of CO2. CVT models deliver 6,4 l/100 km and produce 144 g/km.

All models are fitted with 17” wheels, shod with 215­ 60R­17 rubber. Plus models feature blade­style alloy ver­ sions.

All models come with a comprehensive five­year or 90 000 km service plan, with service intervals set at 15 000 km. A three­year/100 000 km warranty is provided. — WR. C­HR PRICES 6MT — R 318 500 6MT Plus — R 345 000 CVT Plus — R 356 000.

tyres hardly notice the ruts on even bad dirt roads, but there is a full­size spare wheel in the boot for when a pothole proves too sharp. At Wheels we have learnt the hard way to say voetsek to cars without full­size spare wheels, and therefore give full marks to Hyundai for equipping cars for our roads.

The fifth highlight, for now, is the pricing, which includes a five­ year or 150 000 km warranty on “everything that moves”, in the words of Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyun­ dai Automotive South Africa; a two­year or 50 000 km warranty on the powertrain; and a five­year or 90 000 km service plan.

Service inter­ vals are 15 000 km on both en­ gines.

Now for the niggles The low lights in­ clude, ironically, the highlights reflecting from the central console. No matter how high or low I put the seat, the reflected sun light from the rear window casts a glare over half the screen, making the out­of­ date GPS map hard to read.

A shade sock over the rear win­

dow will cut the glare on the screen, but I recommend sticking with Google Maps to guide you.

Underneath the infotainment screen are two 12V sockets and a plug for an AUX cable, but only one USB port. A second USB port, preferably aft, would be most use­ ful. I also missed a cruise control on the long road and, after wash­ ing the car twice, noticed it has many crannies to clean.

But these niggles are it, really, and on the price alone I predict Hyundai’s dealers will see buyers’ interest in this confident Creta meet the high expectations An­ derson and his team have of the new car. The only other automat­ ic SUV for less than R400 000 is Mahindra’s XUV500, a robust ve­ hicle we like a lot, but local buyers have to date shunned its daring, crouching­Cheetah design.

Which Creta to choose?

Let the force guide you. The Creta 1,6 Executive manual makes 90 kW at 6 300 rpm and 150 Nm at 4 850 rpm, and costs R50 000 less than the Creta 1,6 Executive CRDi automatic. The diesel makes 94 kW at 4 000 rpm and 260 Nm from only 2 750 rpm and if you drive at altitude, we suggest the diesel auto is the SUV for you.

Creta 1,6 prices Executive manual R319 900 Executive auto R339 900 Executive CRDi auto R369 900.

EAST COAST

ENGINE IMPORTS

QUALITY USED LOW MILEAGE ENGINES AND GEABOXES

WE OFFER DELIVERY INTO DURBAN AND PMB ON ENGINE AND GEARBOX PURCHASES

Brand New Turbos for most makes of vehicles

FOR THE LEXUS V8 ENTHUSIASTS WE OFFER • Pre-Wired Lexus V8 1UZ VVTI complete with automatic gearbox • Pre-Wired Lexus V8 3UZ VVTI complete with automatic gearbox • Brand new and second hand original spares and service parts • Our pre-wired original OEM mnagement is ready for installation with only 6 wires to connect • All units are bench tested

• Top Quality used low mileage engines and gearboxes for most makes and models of cars and light delivery vehicles • Heads • Turbos • Diffs • Lexus spares • New and Second hand • We stock local stock as well

NISSAN X­TRAIL IS THE WORLD’S MOST BOUGHT SUV ROSSLYN — Buyers across the globe have spoken and made the Nissan X­Trail the world’s most popular SUV. According to initial new vehicle sales statistics for 2016, the Nissan X­Trail was the fifth most popular vehi­ cle in the world last year.

The statistics, which were supplied by the international automotive consultancy Jato Dynamics, show that 766 729 people took ownership of a new X­Trail last year in its data base of 52 countries. It said that while most markets performed well, Nissan was particularly popular in Europe,

The Nissan X­Trail was the fifth most popular vehicle in the world last year.

PHOTO: WHEELS24 China and the U.S., where the X­Trail is known as the Rogue.

According to Nissan’s records, more than 795 000 X­Trail/Rogues were sold in

2016 across all countries where the model is on sale.

In analysing global sales, Jato Dynamics singled out Nissan for being “well ahead of the curve” in preparing for

a market in which SUVs are the most popular body shape.

In 2016, SUVs of all sizes represented 28,8% or 24,2 million vehicles of the global market of 84,24 million vehi­ cles.

Jato Dynamics also said that the X­Trail is one of two SUVs which have grown fast­ er than the segment as a whole and faster than the global average in vehicle sales.

The third­generation X­Trail, launched in 2014, accelerated the model’s success to make it the world’s most loved SUV.

Our friendly sales team is equipped to deal with all enquiries and have a wealth of knowledge in the motoring field. We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional service and products to our clients and therefore have a stringent quality check process in place to make sure that every product complies with our requirements and is in top order.

Tel: Cell:

035 789 0464 53 Bullion Boulevard 035 789 0754 Richards Bay CBD 084 357 1082 Richards Bay eastcoastengines@gmail.com

WitnessWheels MOTORING RACING

4

Three classes in 2017 Simola Hillclimb KNYSNA — “King of the Hill” is the most prestigious title in the world of hillclimb events, and on­ ly six drivers have earned this crown to date on the Jaguar Si­ mola Hillclimb, South Africa’s premier motorsport event.

Last year, Franco Scribante re­ wrote the history books by be­ coming the Jaguar Simola Hill­ climb’s only double champion in his standard Nissan GT­R, after repeating his 2014 victory, and fans can expect a fierce tussle for this year’s title in the single­seat­ er and sports racing car category.

But this year there’s a whole lot more King of the Hill excitement in store.

For the eighth running of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb in May, the organisers have separated the entries into three main classes, each with equal status and the al­ lure of becoming a King of the Hill champion.

Plus there’s the special trophy, known as “the Jody” and named after South Africa’s only Formula One champion Jody Scheckter, for each overall winner.

Geoff Goddard, the event’s sporting director, explained the three classes. Class A groups all standard road cars and supercars into one category, with a total of nine smaller classes encompass­ ing everything from hot hatch­ backs to the sports and supercar elite. There’s also a class for hy­ brid, electric and solar­powered vehicles. No aerodynamic modi­ fications are allowed, and only street­legal tyres can be used.

Class B covers modified sa­ loon racing cars, spanning B1 to B7 for various engine capacities, naturally aspirated or forced in­ duction, and two or four­wheel drive.

Class C covers all single­seater and sports racing cars.

The 10 fastest competitors in classes A, B and C will face off in their respective all­or­nothing shootouts, which are run in re­ verse order from 10th place.

It’s guaranteed to be nail­bit­ ing stuff as the times tumble with the last­ditch efforts to claim King of the Hill glory, and one of the three highly prized Jody trophies. Early bird tickets to the event can be bought at www.itickets.co.za. — WR.

Non­stop fundraising SA’s miracle cyclist tackles world’s toughest solo fundraising ride a fourth time THE many mountainbike racers in KZN have a champion they can look up to.

On July 2, Grant Lottering will attempt his fourth Im’possible Tour — a solo fundraising ride in the French Alps.

Lottering, Laureus Sport for Good ambassador and interna­ tional speaker, also known as the “miracle cyclist”, will attempt to cycle over 40 mountains, climb­ ing a staggering 44 700 m, over a distance of 1800 km, in under 96 hours, non­stop.

For his Im’possible Tour IV, Lottering will return to the La Marmotte Granfondo, the same race where he completed his first Im’possible Tour in 2014, and try to complete the demanding route not once, not twice, but 10 times non­stop.

At 174 km and 5 000 metres of climbing, the La Marmotte is considered one of the toughest amateur events in the world and comparable to the most chal­ lenging high mountain stages of the Tour de France.

The route includes the Col du Glandon (22 km), Col du Tele­ graphe (13 km) and Col du Gali­ bier (17 km), and finishes on the summit of the famous Alpe d’Huez climb (13 km). Lotter­ ing will have to ride over each of these mountains 10 times within four days.

Lottering takes on these an­ nual solo ultra­endurance rides with the purpose of raising funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Laureus financially supports over 20 registered community projects country­wide which use sport to help young people carve

Grant Lottering will attempt his fourth Im’possible Tour — a solo fundraising ride in the French Alps, climbing a staggering 44 700 metres over a distance of 1 800 km in under 96 hours, non­stop. PHOTO: QUIKCPIC out a safe and successful path in societies burdened by the im­ pact of HIV/Aids, unemploy­ ment, crime and strong cultural divides.

His 2016 Im’possible Tour raised R1,1 million for Laureus, thanks to corporate sponsors who “bought” each and every mountain along the route.

As a highly regarded public speaker, Lottering inspires audi­ ences to recognise that their po­ tential is unlimited and that we are all able to accomplish what others consider impossible so long as we truly believe and live our lives with purpose, commit­ ment, focus and determination.

Lottering’s own story is living

proof that when life takes a turn for the worse, you have a deci­ sion to make — do something with it or it will do something with you!

In 2013, Lottering survived a near­fatal cycling accident dur­ ing a world championship prep­ aration race in Trento, Italy, when he crashed into a rock em­

bankment at a speed of 60 km/h, suffering severe internal and ex­ ternal injuries.

Doctors told him he would never cycle again, but Lottering refused to accept this prognosis, and decided he would return to the Alps in one year to finish the race that almost claimed his life.

Thus, the Im’Possible tour se­ ries was born, with Lottering’s fourth solo attempt taking place on July 2.

In 2016, Lottering successful­ ly completed his third Im’possi­ ble Tour, cycling 962 km non­ stop from Cannes to Les Saisies Ski Resort in the French Alps.

He cycled over 20 Alpine mountains, climbing 19 840 m during the monster ride, com­ pleting the challenge in the un­ believable time of 46 hours and 38 minutes.

Public support was massive, with over 7 000 followers on so­ cial media tracking Lottering’s progress through the remarka­ ble (and sleepless) 48­hour chal­ lenge.

This year Lottering hopes to double the funds raised for Lau­ reus, with the help of a number of generous corporate partners.

Im’possible Tour IV — The World’s Toughest Solo Fun­ draising Ride — is proudly sup­ ported by headline sponsors Mercedes­Benz South Africa, VO Connect and IWC Schaff­ hausen.

Lottering also thanked the race organisation and French Alps Sports Tourism for arrang­ ing his race entry with the front start group.

Find out more at www.grant­ lottering.com. — Supplied.

Racers start rally season with Tour Natal ADRIAN BURFORD TEAM ATS is fully prepared for the opening round of the South African National Rally Champi­ onship, which starts with the Tour Natal in Scottburgh on KZN’s Hibiscus Coast tomor­ row and on Saturday.

This year the team tackles the premier S1600 class in a Ford Fi­ esta R2 — the same car used to such good effect last year. It’ll take to the sugar cane fields — the event’s signature — in a revi­ talised form and will boast vari­ ous performance­enhancing technical updates.

Richard Leeke jnr (driver) and Henry Kohne (navigator) renew their fruitful partnership and continue to grow in experience and confidence.

Together, they have the abili­ ty to evolve into a truly formida­ ble team.

Despite a three­month lay­off (although both maintain rigor­ ous gym routines to stay in prime physical shape) they were quickly up to speed on the open­ ing round of the Northern Re­ gions Regional Championship event. This curtain­raiser, held

CV Joint speCialists

Simola’s 2015 King of the Hill in a 1993 Nissan GT­R R32 with 1118 k on tap was KZN’s Dezzi Gutzeit.

PHOTO: FILE

March 9, 2017

for CV joints, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings.

341 GReYlinG stReet Pmb. 033 342 9174/75

Richard Leeke and Henry Kohne are ready for action in the Tour Natal in Scottburgh on KZN’s Hibiscus Coast tomorrow and on Saturday.

PHOTO: MOTOR­ PRESS in the Bapsfontein area in mid­ February, netted the duo second overall and a class.

With the important ground­ work done, Team ATS heads to the coast with high hopes, and

a heightened sense of excite­ ment at the prospect of racing for overall victory.

Top SA karter Stuart White (inset) will trade his hometown Bloemfontein to racing in the Autosport French Formula 4 this year.

The French series is a lit­ tle different to some other global Formula 4 champi­ onships in that it is run in­house from Le Mans as an academy by the French racing Federation, the FFSA, which works togeth­ er with Renault. The 2017 champion will be inducted into the Renault Sport Academy, which aims to get drivers to Formula 1.

PHOTO: MOTORSPORT MEDIA

For more information on Witness Wheels advertising Contact Avir on 033 355 1152 or 084 278 3447 Avir@witness.co.za