The Spirit of Africa trophy got underway for both citizens and media out in the Kalahari. Featuring new sponsors and machines, this test of driver skills on sand takes place yearly and is run by Mzansi racing legend Sarel van der Merwe. Volkswagen South Africa has taken advantage of the marketing spoils of this event Mitsubishi, previous sponsors for the last few years, pulled out for unknown reasons.
The 2010 leg of this event, hosted about 80 km outside of the Upington City centre, follows the same format where contestants can register via the internet on (go to www.amarok.co.za), drive to the venue which changes every year, and drive their hearts out in a competitive but distinctly African style. That means a camp site instead of four-poster beds, braai for food, and sand. Lots of sand. You can drive or fly to these venues to appease your worries. Fortunately the attack of dunes is not executed with your personal wheels.
A fleet of brand VW Amaroks is availed to every two-man/woman team that participates. The package includes three meals over the two day competition. IN4RIDE was there to experience the rush (our third time actually) of speeding up a sand mountain and weaving into bends on the various high-speed courses which on this leg, were laid out on salt pan. The performance of the Amarok was the other aspect. Having never played in the Hilux, Triton and Isuzu KB field before, the toughness of this new VW is on every traditional bakkie purveyor’s mind.
To put it into perspective, off tarmac roads, it’s sensational. Its power and torque belie the size of the 2.0-litre engines, while the electronic two-speed transfer case, resplendent with the latest technology such as electronic hill descent; for when you are simply going down a decline, where the brakes will be applied automatically to reduce speed or you can slot into low-range and use the engine decompression when you are dealing with seriously steep embankments. Centre diff-lock mechanisms are also standard, while the option of driving in two-wheel drive is also catered for.
Its road stance is sufficiently hiked for proper clambering despite the Eurocentric design and what surely must be the big question is: can this bakkie with a Golf face do rugged? It does and more so with the VW touch we are all accustomed to. The comfort and refinement are closely matched to a Golf, and that makes it an easy bakkie to drive, unlike some of its rivals which bring new meaning to the word ‘intimidating’.
Getting back to the Spirit, this year’s event, hosted in the Northern Cape, has broken past records. It’s the first time that 20 groups have been accommodated and really, contestants have some control over when and where they’d like to participate. The previous year’s gig took place in Kosi bay, down in KwaZulu Natal. If you are excited by the challenge of climbing dunes at high speed then bookmark the Upington events. However, the Spirit Trophy offers a wide variety of personalities that descend on the playing field. It can be a melting pot of cultures that thrive on the love of active living rather than that of political, religious or car brand allegiance.
The competition is held in two legs over two countries. The elimination stages are held in SA and the best of the very best, for this year at least, head out to Swakopmund, Namibia for the finals. There the competition takes a turn for the worse. Where the dunes on this side of the Kalahari may appear massive to the untrained eye, reports on the other side suggest colossal but picturesque sandbanks bordered by the ocean.
So there, if you generally live an active life, have a love of cars like we do, and have some spare time during the early summer months, sign up. It’s a helluva experience that’s addictive. And I know this because personally, I’ve done it three times already while many of those who take part are known as veterans of the trophy.
STORY COURTESY OF PHUTI MPYANE (KMR MEDIA)
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