IN true winning style the 2018 Algoa Rally Club 50k champions, driver Nick Davidson and navigator Ashley Bezuidenhout, graciously donated their winning prize towards the development of rally as a motor sport.
The winning team donated their prize they received from Volkswagen Motorsport, a VW Polo Cross with roll cage chassis, to probably the only school in South Africa with motor sport as an official school sport, Daniel Pienaar Technical High School in Uitenhage.
“It was totally unexpected and I was speechless and very emotional when at the prize-giving Nick announced that they donate the Polo to Daniel Pienaar Motor Sport,” said Martin Kleingeld from Daniel Pienaar Motorsport.
“The VW Polo Cross is our project car that we will over the next year strip and assemble as our flagship rally car. It is without an engine and gear box, so we need to raise funds and depend on sponsorships to have it equipped to the full before we can enter the rally championship,” said Kleingeld.
DP Motorsport this year participated in their VW Citi Golf 1.4 which they own; and a VW Polo 1.2 TSI, a development car sponsored by Volkswagen South Africa Motorsport.
JP Smith in the VW Polo this year has completed all the races and ended in 8th overall position in the championship. Britney du Piesanie behind the steer of the Citi Golf ended in 14th position. The car had fuel pump trouble in one race, but super rallied, meaning Du Piesanie has also completed all her races.
“It is an expensive sport and we are dependent on fundraising efforts like The Meadows 4×4 day and sponsorships. We really are very grateful towards Algoa Rally Club for supporting DP Motorsport,” said Kleingeld.
Motorsport at school level definitely has an impact as three of DP’s former learners are now navigating at professional level. Ashley Bezuidenhout navigates for Nick Davidson, Marise Roos navigates for Neels Vosloo and Ruan Gerber navigates for André Bezuidenhout and Jacques Louw.
Nick Davidson said the teachers and learners at DP Motorsport are amazing and his navigator, Ashley Bezuidenhout is also a former DP learner.
“Three rallies ago we were lying second. We put pressure on ourselves to win the championship because we have decided in return to give the winning prize, the car, to Daniel Pienaar,” said Davidson.
“So indirectly, DP Motorsport was the motivation for us to get on the podium as winners.”
It was Davidson’s first full year of rallying and he won. He is a familiar name racing at Scribante in an Audi and does go-cart racing with his daughter.
“Out of all the racing and action sports I do … what do I prefer … rally! It is not predictable and everytime you come to a stage it is different. I like the challenge,” said Davidson.
According to Sampie Marais, principal at Daniel Pienaar THS, motorsport plays an important role at the school.
“We did not have a good season on the rugby field, but with motorsport we did exceptionally well. In rally it is not all about winning, but to complete in a competitive time without damaging the cars, and that our teams did successfully,” said Marais.
“We look forward to the new season and to offer more learners the opportunity to get involved in motorsport at school level.”
Marais thanked Nick Davidson and Volkswagen Motorsport for the newest rally car edition to be added to the fleet of DP Motorsport.
- The first Algoa Rally Club race for the new year, where DP Motorsport will feature their new drivers and navigator, will be during March 2019.
