May 3, 2018
Witness
A new app teaches players the principles of safe driving.
WHEELS
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
UK road safety charity makes app for safe driving IAM RoadTrip is new app that teaches safer driving by helping “the world’s worst driving family” to pass a series of challenges that are designed to be both fun and factual at the same time. The family of five animals — Bull, Tortoise, Panda, Pup and Kitten — are part of the app created by the UK’s biggest road safety charity to get across in a humorous way how easy it is to improve your road skills before you set foot in a vehicle. The app takes users through a lighthearted journey and covers a variety of topics from driving around a bend, parking, managing the school run to driving with a baby on board. With a myriad of subjects covered, the app targets a wide range of drivers to help as many people as possible with practical driving tips and advice. The app is available on Android and
Apple and can be downloaded from the App store (Apple devices) or Google play store (Android devices) by searching for IAM RoadTrip. You can also see further details at https://www.iamroadsmart.com/iamroadtrip-app There is a chance to ‘collect’ road signs as you improve and see your name rise up the scoreboard against your friends. Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart chief executive officer, said: “While there is no substitute for actual driving practice, our app is a fun way to get young people into the driving habit, of knowing how to react to road situations in a fun way — and of course helping our animal family not get into any silly mishaps on the way!” Sarah added: “It’s all a way of getting novices into a mindset that will give them skills for life.” — Wheels Reporter.
As Witness Wheels found on long road test, the Haval H6 turns heads wherever it goes, and delivers under the hood too. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
Haval makes the big move HAVAL and GWM has outgrown the massive parts warehouse it has occupied for over a decade in Durban and moved to Sandton. Tyrone Alberts, Haval SA sales manager, said Haval Motors South Africa is growing at an accelerated pace. “We have outstripped our current parts warehousing facility in KZN, and therefore we are moving our warehouse operations to a new
premises in Johannesburg, with improved facilities conducive to efficient parts distribution.” The move also puts all the departments of the company under one roof, instead of in separate provinces. Haval is the prestige arm of GWM, like Lexus for Toyota, and car fundis have so far only had good things to say about the Haval H4 and H6 SUVs. — WR.
Luxury limo for the future The designers at DS, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group, drew up the X E-Tense concept car to explore what luxury cars may look like in 2035. Hint, its an AI on wheels. PHOTO: DS
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Battlefields may be muddy Maritzburg-based cross country racers prepared for a slippery Dundee in hunt for second win THE battle for the South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) title resumes in Dundee tomorrow and on Saturday — with the Maritzburg-based Ford Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) team aiming for a second consecutive win for the 2018 season. The aptly named Battlefields 400 is staged at the Battlefields Lodge on the outskirts of Dundee, which was a happy hunting ground for the team last year. Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable, in the V8-powered Ford Ranger (T34), claimed a resounding victory last time out at this race. They also have the advantage of heading into the second race of the 2018 season in the Class T championship lead, following their comfortable win at this year’s opening race in Dullstroom. Team-mates Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer have set their sights on making amends for their retirement in Dullstroom after setting an impressive pace during qualifying. The young crew finished second last year in the treacherous wet and muddy conditions experienced at the Battlefields race, and a strong finish at the sharp end of the field is essential to secure vital championship points - particularly with the 2018 calendar limited to just six events. The X Rally Team of Marcos Baumgart and Kleber Cincea will unfortunately miss the Dundee round after having scored a podium finish in Dullstroom. The KwaZulu-Natal race clashes with the third round of the Brazilian Cross Country Championship which they currently lead, having won the first two races of the year in an NWM-built Ford Ranger that closely matches the
Lance Woolridge and Ward Huxtable, who pushed their V8-powered Ford Ranger (T34) to resounding victory at last year’s Battlefields 400 at Dundee, will be chasing more of the same on Saturday. PHOTO: QUICKPIC Class T specification of the locally raced vehicles, yet competes against more expensive FIA-class rivals. Their seats in the third NWM Ford Ranger (T20) will be taken by Marcos’ brother Cristian and co-driver Beco Andreotti who are familiar with the local series after competing in Lichtenburg and the Botswana Desert Race during 2016. They also enjoy the envia-
ble reputation of having won Brazil’s tough Rally dos Sertões for the last two years in succession. “We are quietly confident going into the Battlefields 400 following our great results in Dullstroom, and our 1-2 finish at this event last year,” says Neil Woolridge, team principal of NWM. “The team had a lot of work to do on the cars after the wet and muddy
conditions experienced at the first race of this season, and it looks like it could be more of the same in Dundee which has experienced a lot of rain recently. “We have made some refinements to the set-up of the Ford Rangers, and our testing with Lance’s car this week went really well,” he adds. According to the race organisers, more than 50% of the route has
changed compared to last year and encompasses a wide range of terrain, from fast open fields to more technical sections that will challenge the drivers and require a high level of concentration. Following the successful format used on the Mpumalanga 400, the action starts off at the Battlefields Lodge and heads straight into an exciting spectator stage that is sure to be popular with the fans. Thereafter the competitors will head north towards Nigsana and the Buffalo River. The route then runs east along the Buffalo River towards Vryheid and Tayside and across Landmansdrift towards Nquthu Road, the Spitskop, Marino Vlakte and the Greytown road. Competitors then head back to the Battlefields Lodge via the Tangeni feed lots. Tomorrow’s qualifying loop starts at 1 pm and features a 45 km sprint that will determine the starting positions for Saturday’s main race which commences at 8 am. The crews will complete two laps of around 170 km each, split by a compulsory 20-minute service and a regroup after the first loop. Spectator points are within easy reach of the Battlefields Lodge, and the action can be followed on the RallySafe app which can be downloaded free of charge for iOS and Android devices. — Motorpress.
Follow the Ford Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) team’s updates and progress on www.facebook.com/ FordPerformanceSA
Eight cameras to live stream races at Simola Hillclimb KNYSNA — The 2018 Jaguar Simola Hillclimb, which opens in Knysna tomorrow, is expected to attract over 17 000 spectators this year — but those who can’t make it will be able to follow a lived feed. “The live streaming for this year’s Jaguar Simola Hillclimb is novel for local motorsport and very exciting,” says Ian Shrosbree, managing director of the Knysna Speed Festival that organises the annual Hillclimb. “We dipped our toes in the water last year and had a super response, but the production was not up to scratch, so we have a new team in place and targeted key areas to ensure a world-class stream to the world. “We will be hosting Hillclimb live stream parties in London, Pretoria, and at the Midvaal circuit south of Johannesburg. To ensure full coverage of the Hillclimb, there will be eight cameras covering the entire 1,9 km course — from the exciting build-up at the start line to the flying finish at the top of Simola Hill. The pit lane is a hive of activity throughout the weekend, and renowned South African sports presenter Arnold Geerdts will be in the thick of the action interviewing drivers and getting the inside line on their challenge
Randy Pobst racing his 1976 Jaguar XJ-S in last year’s Simola Hillclimb near Knysna. PHOTO: MOTORPRESS for Classic Car Friday on May 4, and the thrilling King of the Hill on Saturday and Sunday. The event will be broadcast on YouTube and on the event’s website via continuous live streaming, as well as on Facebook during selected times. The video feed will be complemented by racing stats and live results as they happen. “The video feed will also be
streamed directly to restaurants in Knysna, which will enable a lot more people to be part of this amazing event, even if they can’t be here in person,” Shrosbree adds. “This will expand the local and international profile of the Jaguar Simola Hillclimb even further, putting it on a par with some of the very best Hillclimbs in the world.” Live stream URLs:
• www.jaguarsimolahillclimb.com • YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ KnysnaSpeedFestival • Facebook: www.facebook.com/KnysnaSpeedFestival SCHEDULE Tomorrow, 4 May Classic Car Friday 11 -11.15 am: Opening of the event livestream 1.30 - 2.20 pm: Qualifying Round 3 2.25 - 2.50 pm: Class Final 2.55 - 3.05 pm: Class Conqueror 3.45 pm: Prize iving Saturday King of the Hill 1 - 2 pm: Stream opening and stunt driving 3 -3.40 pm: Qualifying Round 1 4 -4.40 pm: Qualifying Round 2 Sunday King of the Hill 9 - 9.40 am: Daily stream opening and warm-up 1 pm: Stunt driving 2 - 4 pm: Qualifying round 6 3 - 3.30 pm Class Final 3.40 - 3.50 pm: Road & SuperCar Shootout 3.50- 4 pm: Single Seater & Sports Car Shootout 4 - 4.10 pm: Modified Saloon Car Shootout 3.45 pm: Prize Giving
Holgate leads KZN expediton to mark Landy’s 70th TO commemorate the 70th anniversary of Land Rover, the Kingsley Holgate Foundation expedition team has embarked on a symbolic ‘Land Rover through the Ages’ expedition. The expedition takes a group of enthusiastic Land Rover owners on a humanitarian-focused journey through the historic and culturally-rich rural regions of Zululand. This celebration is part of global celebrations to mark the iconic 4x4 brand’s 70 years of motoring history and heritage. Brought together by a shared love for these classic vehicles and a keen spirit of adventure, Land Rover owners, ambassadors and representatives of Land Rover South Africa participated in a celebratory photoshoot to mark South Africa’s participation in this historic moment. “Land Rover has a history like no other and we are delighted to celebrate our 70th birthday with the Kingsley Holgate Foundation on this humani-
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‘SIMPLY BETTER’ FUSO AIMS HIGH FUSO Trucks, a part of the Daimler Trucks & Buses umbrella, have strengthened their commitment to the southern African truck market by sharing a new brand claim that encompasses the original equipment manufacturer’s endeavours: Simply Better Trucks. Marketing manager at Fuso, Mpho Matseba, told Wheels the brand also aims to achieve 10% market share by 2020. Head of Fuso Southern Africa, Ziyad Gaba, said this goal will be reached by a clear sales growth path; being increasingly customer-centric, embracing mobility and digital solutions in order to benefit operators; and showcasing the best staff compliment and leadership. In addition to the Fuso team unveiling their new brand claim, the facelifted Canter TD and the Fuso Canter LIFT FE4-130 were also showcased. — WR.
FIAT, CHRYSLER NOW ONE IN SA
A score of owner-driven Land Rovers used adventure to improve lives in Zululand to mark the brand’s 70th. PHOTO: MOTORPRESS tarian journey” said Lisa Mallett, marketing director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. “With the theme of ‘Using Adventure to Save and Improve Lives’, Land Rover has aided over one million people in Africa.” The 70th anniversary ‘Land Rover Through the Ages’ expedition will see 20 owner-driven Land Rovers — ranging from a 63-year-old Series I to the
Holgates’ modern-day, expedition-kitted fifth generation Discoveries — continue this support, visiting rural communities, schools and hospitals. The team will distribute wheelchairs for the disabled as well as provide eye-tests and reading spectacles to Zululand residents, as part of Mashozi’s Rite to Site initiative. In addition, the expedition will encourage school children to speak out
against the ongoing threat of rhino poaching (through the foundation’s Rhino Art conservation education programme) which has reached over 400 000 youth in the past five years. Holgate, South Africa’ most bearded adventurer, as well as humanitarian and author, said he firmly believes “the heart of Land Rover belongs here in Africa”. — WR.
FIAT Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has driven through another milestone in South Africa as its individual national sales companies merge to complete the integration locally of the world’s seventh largest car maker. While FCA South Africa has been under a single management team since 2012 in line with the global merger, Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa (Pty) Ltd and Chrysler South Africa (Pty) Ltd have been operating as separate financial entities. The administrative merger of the entities from May 1 formalised Fiat Chrysler Automobiles South Africa (Pty) Ltd as a single trading entity. Robin van Rensburg, CEO of FCA South Africa, said it will be business as usual for customers. FCA South Africa is responsible for the sales and after-sales business of the Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Fiat Professional, MOPAR, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. — WR.