Colin-on-Cars - Lower truck mass equals greater loads

Lower truck mass means greater loadability and this is key for fleet operators considering the fluctuating fuel prices and other cost pressures – not the least of which is the increasing interest rate.

Fuel expenditure, which makes up 80% of total operating costs and approximately 60% of the total cost of ownership, depending on the application, can be alleviated with the ability to carry more payload to maximise the productivity and efficiency of a fleet.

The UD Trucks Quon extra heavy truck range solves this problem by a reduction of weight in the physical truck that allows operators to carry more payload. Fewer trips mean less fuel is used.

“The Quon is a highly productive range of vehicles optimised for the business needs of today and tomorrow,” explains Reytjie Laubscher, Managing Director of UD Trucks Lichtenburg. “These days the key to efficient transport is increased payload. Not only will a lowered tare weight increase payload, but also the productivity and profitability of your operations.”

Reytjie Laubscher

Every component on the Quon has been refined to realise an overall lighter vehicle, while achieving gains in load-carrying capacity of up to 200 kg, depending on the model.

The Quon GW26 460 - TT HR, for instance, has a low tare weight of 8 418 kg. This is achieved by using disc brakes and high-tensile steel rails for the main frame to reduce vehicle weight. In addition, the reduced height of the main frame cross section further reduces weight while maintaining strength, to further improve the Quon’s loading performance.

Laubscher explains this, for instance, means with a reduced tare weight, an operator can now typically transport a 36,5-ton load of cargo legally using an interlink with a twin bin side tipper trailer. (Afrit specification used for this example)

“There is an increase in payload of about 700 kg on average on the new generation Quon High Roof Truck Tractor compared to any other competitor in the market. This is the ideal set-up for fleet owners that specialise, for instance, in the coal transport industry,” says Laubscher.

Improved ease of loading, bodybuilding efficiency and smoothness at creeping speeds for approaching loading docks, also reflect UD Trucks’ commitment to boosting productivity for fleet owners.

Optimal

Quon’s air suspension features an increased adjustment range. This enables optimal height adjustment for loading docks and connecting the trailers, with an adjustable width of +140 mm upward from the neutral position. The uneven load adjustment function automatically adjusts any lateral differences in height on trucks, which improves handling when loading from the side of the truck.

The new Quon range boasts a fuel-efficient, powerful and clean 11-litre GH11 engine. 

It generates powerful torque from low revs up through a wide rev range,  and, to further support fuel-efficient driving, the Quon also features UD Trucks’ Nenpi Fuel Coach - a system that displays real-time driving advice to help drivers achieve further improvement in the vehicle’s fuel economy. 

“Our customers’ definition of the essentials needed in a truck, has changed.  Our focus, therefore, is to give customers reduced operating costs as related to things like fuel efficiency, payload ability and uptime.  Secondly, we are concentrating on the people factor within the transport business, making our trucks even safer and environmentally friendly,” says Laubscher.

https://bit.ly/3iJtCUn

Colin-on-Cars - Confident about the Dakar

There is a quiet air of confidence permeating the Toyota Gazoo Racing squad ready to tackle the 2023 Dakar Rally – and so there should be.

Fresh from a long stint of testing in the Namib Desert in Namibia, the three-car team consists of the current (and inaugural) World Rally-Raid Championship and winners of Dakar 2022, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel along with South Africa Rally-Raid Champion Giniel de Villiers and navigator Dennis Murphy as well as Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings.

Pretty much a ‘dream team.’

Giniel de Villiers

Nasser Al-Attiyah

Glyn Hall, TGR Dakar & SARRC Team Principal and Technical Director, says: “Dakar 2023 is around the corner, and we are excited to take on the world’s toughest automotive race with a three-car team in January.

“We’ve worked hard at refining our GR DKR Hilux T1+ over the course of the year, and we’re confident that we are well-prepared to take on the rigours of the race, as well as our competition.”

This Dakar will mark the start of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2023 season, with Nasser and Mathieu again taking on the world’s toughest cross-country races. The remaining crews will compete the rest of the season in the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), which also serves as a key component in the ongoing testing and development of the GR DKR Hilux T1+.

The tough 2022 racing season offered TGR comprehensive opportunities to improve the Dakar-winning GR DKR Hilux T1+ in terms of quality, durability and reliability.

The team capitalised on more than 25 000 km of racing and testing completed by its crews in both the W2RC and SARRC. Furthermore, the crews further built on their own competencies, thanks to 130 combined days on the road, securing both the W2RC and SARRC titles for the team.

For the 2023 season, the FIA has refined its criteria aimed at balancing the performance between the Class T1+ vehicles, and their counterparts in Class T1U (ultimate). The primary focus of the updated rules is to close up the field, making competition even tougher. 

For example, both the Class T1+ and T1U cars have had their peak power output reduced by 30 kW. The power curves have been adjusted to blend the change proportionately, and the altitude compensation for turbo powered T1+ cars has been removed.

At the same time, TGR has been constantly upgrading the GR DKR Hilux T1+, with the aim of improving its quality, durability and reliability even further, ensuring that the car is fully prepared for the rigours of the Dakar Rally, the W2RC and the SARRC.

As such, improvements have been made to the car’s differentials, suspension parts and wishbones, which have been reinforced. The single damper setup has also been optimised, as has the transmission’s shifting characteristics. Finally, the software has been tweaked to accept the latest racing fuel, and to ensure that the car conforms to the Balance of Performance requirements as set out by the FIA.

Dakar 2023 is set to start on December 31, 2022 on the North Western coast of Saudi Arabia, before traveling inland towards the city of Ha’il. From there, the route continues in a South-easterly direction, bisecting the feared Empty Quarter, before finally swinging northwards towards the finish at Dammam, on  January 15, 2023.

“Winning the 2022 W2RC title was my first goal, and I’m proud to say that we achieved it. Also, the car has been getting steadily better throughout the year, and with a final test in Namibia, I’m sure that we’ve locked in the best possible version of the GR DKR Hilux T1+yet. Now, all that remains is to go racing in Saudi Arabia,” says Nasser Al-Attiyah.

Giniel de Villiers added: “This year has offered some tough challenges, especially in terms of the SARRC.

“With that said, we managed to prevail to win the 2022 title, and as such we’ve grown considerably as a team. The car has also matched our personal growth, and we are excited to be back at the Dakar Rally this January. Winning the SARRC title has affirmed our belief that we are in the mix for overall victory this January, and we can’t wait for the race to start.”

https://bit.ly/3FxlIGz

Colin-on-Cars - Poised to strike

With titles at stake the final round of the SA Endurance Championship takes on an international flavour in the form of Italians Gianmaria Gabbiani, Alberto Huober and Mags Govender in Backdraft Roadster #33 as part of the mix.

The finale is set to be a title-deciding thriller fought out over nine hours at the Killarney International Raceway in Cape Town as part of the Southern African Endurance Series Cape Motorsport Festival on December 9 and 10.

There are 10 teams racing the open-topped rumbling Lexus V8-powered Backdraft Roadsters are riding high in the fight for the coveted Index of Performance Championship, while the overall points table features seven Backdraft teams in the top 10.

Adding to the pressure to deliver strong results is the Class E title which will also be resolved at the Cape Motorsport Festival.

Against the backdrop of South Africa’s largest motor sport music festival, Team Pesty Racing’s Harm/Barend Pretorius will be out to defend their slender six point lead by repeating their Index victory last time out at Aldo Scribante, while also fighting off their rivals for the Class E crown which they also lead by nine points.

Hot on Team Pesty’s heels is Benjamin Morgenrood (Ben Morgenrood Ford and Mazda) who will be helped by his brother Crisjan, who missed the Scribante double header due to exams and plummeted to 11th in the standings. Father Ben, a doyen of SA motor sport missed the opening round and lies ninth on the points table. The Morgenrood trio will do everything in their power to help Benjamin take one or both of the titles up for grabs.

Alone

Colin Ellison is third in the Index standings – seven points adrift of Morgenrood – having raced his black and gold Titan Historic F1 Racing Backdraft to an Index victory in East London. Ellison is alone in his fight having raced with multiple co-drivers during the season. He has, however, elected to sit out the 9-Hour.

Team Qhubani’s Baphumze Rubuluza/Fikile Holomisa has been a model of consistency until round six which saw their first non-finish in over a year. Their third place on Index in round five has been their best result so far, and they will be joined by Xolela Njumbunxa for this occasion. They are 37 points off the lead but with 100 available, anything can still happen.

Rejoining the fray is the PPLE and Adapt entry of Philip Meyer, Mark Harvey and Dean Wolson with their fully re-furbished Backdraft. The trio won the Index of performance in round two and could be a dark horse this time around in their Panda-liveried machine.

An interesting entry is the #33 car to be driven by Italians Gianmaria Gabbiani, Alberto Huober and Mags Govender. Gabbiani has raced go-karts, single-seaters, touring cars and stock cars and won a Class One World Powerboat Championship and scored two Endurance Powerboat World Championships. Huober is a classic car restorer and dealer and has also raced powerboats.

Other key players in the Class E and Index of performance title chase include the trio of Trevor Graham, a veteran rally and endurance racer teamed with Mark Owen and Richard van Heerde.

Four drivers make up the #8 Backdraft entry headed by former Off-Road Class D Champion Manfred Schroeder, Meredith Wills, Michael Gaines and KZN regional racer Reg Sutton who should be chased by Joburg newcomers Malcolm and Mpostine Bhengu.

The Index of Performance has been won four times by Backdraft Roadster teams in the preceding six rounds. It is not a foregone conclusion that a Backdraft entry will win the Index of Performance Championship but the fight for the title will be breath-taking to watch.

https://bit.ly/3P0fZvZ

Colin-on-Cars - The case for remanufactured parts

There is a strong case to be made for transport operators to use remanufactured replacement parts that goes well beyond the simple cost saving.

Transport operators have to consider a multitude of fixed and variable factors that have an impact on their cost of operation, and subsequently, their business’ bottom line. These include fuel costs, financing, labour, insurance, maintenance and repair.

When a vital component breaks down the question that inevitably arises is how you should replace it. Repair, buy new or go for a remanufactured part?

To make the right decision for your business it’s vital to consider all your options to essentially solve the same problem.  

“Buying a new part could be your first instinct when something breaks down; after all you want something that works, has a warranty, and is guaranteed to fit your truck. A new part will also come with the latest technology, have the longest life expectancy and work efficiently. 

"But it will also mean a higher price tag and you will have to evaluate how this will impact your operating costs and total cost of ownership of your truck,” says Eric Parry, sustainable solutions manager at Volvo Trucks South Africa.

Eric Parry

When you repair a part, the malfunctioning or worn component gets replaced while the rest stays the same. While repairing can save you money it’s good to be aware repairing also almost always comes with certain downtime as the truck will have to be in the workshop for a while.

Understanding remanufacturing

Before considering whether remanufactured parts are the right option for your business, it’s important to distinguish remanufacturing from rebuilding a piece of equipment.

Remanufacturing is a standardised industrial process in which worn-out parts are returned to a condition that is as good as new in technical specifications and performance. It is usually a good idea to replace heavier components with remanufactured parts as these tend to be more expensive.

Engine, chassis parts, transmission brakes and steering are just a few of such components. When it comes to electronics, starter motors, control units and alternators can be replaced using remanufactured parts as well.

“When we remanufacture parts at Volvo Trucks this process includes dismantling, cleaning, re-machining, assembling and testing the equipment. The process is much like the original manufacturing process, except that some of the components have had a previous life,” says Olga Naert, remanufacturing business development manager at Volvo Trucks.

There are a few reasons why a remanufactured part might be the right investment if you are facing the breakdown of a critical component.

“The most obvious is of course the lower cost compared to a new part. When you buy a reman unit, all parts will be updated with the latest technology,” explained Naert. “Quality is another plus as remanufactured parts meet OEM standards for performance and always comes with a warranty.”

Last but not least, a remanufactured part also has a much lower impact on the environment as a lot less raw material, energy and water is used in the production process.

Concern about the environment and diminishing resources is a great reason to choose remanufacturing.

A newly produced part is made using 100% new raw material whereas a remanufactured part only uses 15% since most of the material comes from the core (the faulty part).

“Using remanufactured parts also saves energy, reduces landfill waste and it means that dangerous residuals inside worn components are taken care of,” adds Parry. “The process of remanufacturing, which is labour intensive, can also be seen as sustainable from a societal perspective as it creates demand for high-skilled jobs.”

In addition to quality and lower cost, remanufactured parts can also be a quick fix compared to repairing thanks to their growing popularity and availability. In fact, choosing a remanufactured part could put you back on the road just as quickly as purchasing a new product.

“At the end of the day whatever purchase strategy you decide on will depend on the specific needs of your business,” explained Parry. “Remanufacturing can be a great option if you are cost sensitive but also want a high-quality product. The cost of a remanufactured part can be up to 50% cheaper than a new one, depending on the type of part.”

https://bit.ly/3VNpKQG

Colin-on-Cars - Three days of action at Kyalami

The 9 Hour returns to Kyalami in February packaged into a three-day motor sport extravaganza that includes not only the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli, but the top local saloon and single-seater race formulae as well.

The weekend’s headline event is the second round of the IGT Challenge, following just three weeks after the opening round of the 2023 season at Bathurst in Australia. Organisers anticipate all teams will be lined up on the grid to boost their season title aspirations.

Joining the SRO Motorsports Group K9H starting grid will be some of the top South African teams in FIA-homologated GT3 and GT4 machinery.

Thursday’s practice sessions will be open to the public for the first-time, giving motor sport enthusiasts the opportunity to see glowing brake discs and flame-spitting exhausts during the night practice session, along with pit walks and driver autograph sessions.

SUPPORT RACES

More than 200 competitors are expected to participate in the line-up of support races – each category featuring two races – over the three days. Topping the support bill is the opening round of the 2023 GTC and SupaCup Championships, while 50 wild BMWs across the brand’s recent history will battle it out in the first round of the BMW M Performance Parts Race Series.

In addition, the hotly contested CompCare Volkswagen Polo Cup enters its 27th year at Kyalami and the 2023 season will be one to watch with interest.

The InvestChem F1600 Championship kick off their year along with the opening round of the thundering Mobil 1 V8 Championship.

A substantial entry of Sports and GT cars, featuring a wide variety of racing machines is sure to keep spectators on the edge of their seat. Adding to the excitement, will be a high-speed Historic Race Car demonstration and static display, where spectators can get close to an array of legendary cars from South African motorsport history.

Adam Brown, K9H CEO says: “We launched the Kyalami 9-Hour in 2019 with a great response from the public creating a great platform from which to grow. The Global Pandemic then hit forcing us to host a race without the vital support of our race fans.

“We are grateful to all our event partners and race fans for sticking with us through these challenging times. The 9 Hour is back in early 2023! We are going all out – a true fest of motoring, bigger international grid, more national team participation and greater support race participation.

“The access for race fans has been extended to include Thursday making the event a three-day experience which includes the 9 Hour night practice session and qualifying, support race practice and qualifying, motor industry activations, historic race car displays and demonstrations, e-sport competitions, hot laps, music, food and beer gardens.”

Denis Klopper (K9H Race and Track Activations Manager) added: “We are extremely excited to announce a full Support Race programme for the Kyalami 9 Hour race, with six categories announced including three National Championship Series. With a total Support Race entry exceeding 200 competitors race fans can look forward to an entertaining three days of motorsport and Historic Race Car demonstrations.”  

TICKETS:

With Christmas fast approaching, K9H tickets will make a perfect gift for the petrol-head in your family or circle of friends.

General Access tickets go on sale on Friday, 25th November with special Black Friday deals for one day only. Details of the various Hospitality Packages will be announced shortly.

Pricing:

- Thursday 23rd February  R 250

- Friday 24th February      R 350

- Saturday 25th February  R 550

- Three-day ticket             R 1,000

Black Friday Prices (25 November ONLY)

- Saturday                        R 465

- Three-day ticket            R 850






https://bit.ly/3EQycZM

Colin-on-Cars - Supercar spectacular

April next year will become a petrolhead’s dream when 60 exotic cars leave the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on a 1 300 km tour of the country – including a track day at Dezzi Raceway on the KZN South Coast.

OzowDR23 will kick off at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on April 27, where entrants road will take to the tarmac for day one’s fast-paced track day. From there the supercar convoy will head east for an Afrika Burn inspired launch party and overnight in the Drakensburg, ahead of day two’s convoy to Umhlanga where some of the world’s most prestigious automotive rivalries will be settled at a high-profile gymkhana like no other.

Day three sees another grip-seeking, aero-testing, limit-pushing track day, this time at Port Shepstone’s Dezzi Raceway, before some respite for both man and machine on the fourth travel day – by private charter to Hoedspruit, of course.

Air Force Base Hoedspruit and its 3,9 km asphalt runway, together with the beautiful backdrop of Kapama Private Game Reserve, provide an ideal venue for high-speed test runs on day five, with OzowDR23 wrapping up with a Sabie hillclimb and ‘Go Hard or Go Home’ prizegiving party in Nelspruit on May 2.

While the OzowDR23 supercar entry list is yet to be confirmed, an ultra-valuable assortment of exotic machinery including rare Lamborghinis, Ferraris, McLarens, Aston Martins, Porsches and Paganis – some with values approaching R100-million – is expected based on past event participation.

Aside from the competitive elements behind the wheel, entrants will identify charities of their choice and challenge each other to raise the most money by the end of the rally.

Automated EFT specialist and title sponsor Ozow will develop and facilitate an easy payment system with unique smartphone scannable QR codes applied as decals to each team’s supercar. Teams are encouraged to support their charities through donations from associates and members of the public along the six-day journey.

Super and hypercar owners interested in entering the largest charitable rally in the southern hemisphere are welcome to contact Mark Castel at mark@daytonarally.co.za for more information.

https://bit.ly/3tDxNn1

Colin-on-Cars - All to play for

The forests of Mpumalanga will come alive this weekend to the sound of rally cars as the season finale, the TRACN4 Rally takes to the fast forest stages between Belfast and Dullstroom.

It is certainly not yet over with series leaders Chris Coertse and navigator Greg Godrich and their new NRC1 Rally Technic Mazda2, who start the event just 64 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Theuns Joubert and Schalk van Heerden in the Salom Labour Toyota Yaris.

There are 74 points on offer for the double-header, meaning Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle who are third in their Gazoo Racing Toyota Starlet and 68 points adrift could stand a mathematical chance.

“We’ve prepared the car well for this weekend,” said Botterill in the build-up to this weekend’s Rounds 11 and 12. “We finally feel that we’re on top of things, and even though we’ve had our fair share of teething problems with the new car, I’m confident that we’re in a good position for this weekend.”

At the same time, teammates Mandla Mdakane and co-driver Kes Naidoo, will be campaigning the team’s second car in the form of a Toyota Auris S2000. The car has served as an entry to the sport for Mdakane, but reliability issues have plagued his attempts thus far.

“We’re hoping for a clean run this weekend,” said the Johannesburg-based driver. “We’ve shown good pace over single stages earlier in the year, but haven’t had the opportunity to string it all together. With a bit of luck, we’ll get that chance in Dullstroom.”

The weather in Dullstroom for this weekend is predicted to be mild and dry, in stark contrast to Botterill/Vacy-Lyle’s last outing for TGRSA, which was in extremely muddy and wet conditions, during the Parys 400 – final round of the 2022 South African Rally-Raid Series (SARRC), where they finished in fourth place during the final round.

This year’s TRACN4 National Rally will kick off with a ceremonial start at the service park at Lakenvlei, just outside Dullstroom. This will be followed by seven stages in the area forming Round 11 of the season. Saturday will see Round 12, the final of the season, start at the oval in Dullstroom itself, again followed by seven stages bringing the 2022 NRC to a close.

https://bit.ly/3EicX19

Colin-on-Cars - First Ranger off the line

After months of build-up news, a factory ‘unveiling’ and more than plenty hype, Ford Motor Company’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, today became the third plant to commence production of the new Ranger for customers around the world.

The start of the production follows a major investment of US$1,05-billion (R15,8 billion) in Ford’s South African operations and supplier tooling to allow exports to more than 100 markets, including Europe.

Ford Motor Company now has three production hubs in the International Markets Group (IMG) region producing Next-Gen Ranger for global markets, including the Silverton plant in South Africa, and two plants in Thailand. The company also has CKD operations in Vietnam and Cambodia to assemble the Ranger, with plants in the US and Argentina to begin production in 2023.

Commitment

“The start of Ranger production in South Africa highlights our commitment to delivering must-have products for our customers, not just in South Africa but around the world,” says Dianne Craig, president of Ford International Markets Group (IMG).

“South Africa is an important part of our global Ranger manufacturing network, and it is fantastic to witness the investment being utilised to modernise and transform the Silverton Assembly Plant to produce vehicles of the absolute best quality for customers around the world.”

The expanded operations in South Africa contribute to job creation and economic development, with 1 200 new jobs added for a third shift to support the increased production volumes. This takes the workforce at Ford South Africa to 5 500 employees. Ford’s supplier network benefits too, with approximately 10 000 jobs added across the value chain.

Of the total investment, approximately US$686-million (R10,3 billion) has gone into the transformation and modernisation of the Silverton plant with the construction of its first on-site Stamping Plant, a new highly automated Body Shop, and the introduction of the latest vehicle assembly operations on the Trim, Chassis and Final line.

Furthermore, the only Ford-owned and operated Frame Line in the world was built in the new Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) supplier park adjacent to the Silverton Assembly Plant. Ford’s investment in tooling at its major supplier companies totalled US$365-million (R5,5-billion).

In addition to the Silverton investment, Ford injected US$34-million (R600-million) into its Struandale Engine Plant in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), which produces all the engines used in the new Ranger.

The investment in Struandale Engine Plant has helped Ford introduce the new 3,0-litre V6 Diesel engine program, comprising cylinder head machining and engine assembly. Upgrades for the Ranger were also implemented on the existing assembly line for the 2,0-litre Single Turbo and 2,0-litre B-Turbo diesel engines.

“We have put immense effort, resources, and the latest technologies in place to ensure the Ranger is truly world-class, and that the Silverton plant globally equals the very best,” says Andrea Cavallaro, Director Operations, Ford IMG.

“We took several strategic decisions including the decision to bring the stamping operations and the frame manufacturing in-house, to ensure complete control of the production quality. The process put in today guarantees that the components going onto the assembly line for every Next-Gen Ranger are of the highest quality.”

The Stamping Plant at the Silverton Assembly Plant is in a new 10 320 m2 facility and feeds stamped body panels directly to the adjacent and completely new 44 000 m2 Body Shop, which is highly automated with approximately 493 robots.

Technologies

“To meet our volume and quality objectives, we have the world’s only Ford-owned and operated chassis manufacturing plant at the Silverton plant that uses the most advanced technologies currently available,” Cavallaro added.  

In addition, the 100 000 m2 Frame Line in the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ) supplier park, located next door to the Silverton Assembly Plant, ensures the seamless sequencing of parts directly to the assembly line.

First launched in 2011, the Ranger remained one of the leading contenders in the local market over the ensuing 11 years, earning a long list of accolades in the process.

“The success of the Ranger globally establishes it as one of Ford’s most important nameplates sold in every continent,” said Neale Hill, President, Ford Motor Company Africa. “The Next-Gen Ranger is sure to raise the bar yet again and with the start of production in the Silverton assembly plant, South Africa is proud to play a role in its growth.”

What now remains to be seen is if Ford South Africa will continue to build a range of the older version to service its large corporate market.

To my mind this is a no-brainer, especially considering the final few months of production of the outgoing model were done on the new Ranger line as a kind of tesdt bed production – so there is no reason why both cannot co-exist.

First Ranger off the line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD3xnh7cHsE

https://bit.ly/3tzpLeP

Colin-on-Cars - Fossil-free steel for Volvo Trucks

With around 90% of the truck recyclable at the end of its working life, Volvo Trucks has now become the first manufacturer to use fossil-free steel in the manufacturing process.

The fossil-free steel is produced by the Swedish steel manufacturer SSAB and is made by using a completely new technology with fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. The result is a significantly lower climate impact and an important step towards a net-zero emissions value chain. Among the customers that will have fossil-free steel in some of their electric trucks are Amazon and DFDS and, through the transport company Simon Loos, Unilever.

Global

In September this year, Volvo Trucks started series production of heavy-duty electric, 44-tonne trucks, as the first global truck manufacturer to achieve this. Some of the electric trucks will also be the first trucks in the world that are built with fossil-free steel.

“Our journey to net zero emissions includes both making our vehicles fossil free in operation and over time fully replacing the material in our trucks with fossil-free and recycled alternatives,” says Jessica Sandström, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Volvo Trucks.

“At Amazon, we are on the way to making all of our operations net-zero carbon by 2040. We need partners like Volvo to make this transition happen,” says Andreas Marschner, Vice President Transportation Services Europe at Amazon.

“DFDS is committed to our green transition and to delivering greener transport and logistics solutions. Any step in the green transition of logistics brings us closer to a carbon-free society and we are therefore happy to learn that some of our new electric trucks soon to be delivered are also produced with fossil-free steel,” says Niklas Andersson, EVP of DFDS Logistics Division.

The first steel produced with hydrogen is being used in the electric truck’s frame rails, the backbone of the truck upon which all other main components are mounted. As the availability of fossil-free steel increases, it will also be introduced in other parts of the truck.

Recycled

Today, around 30% of the materials in a new Volvo truck come from recycled materials. Also, up to 90% of the truck can be recycled at the end of its life. Fossil-free steel will be an important complement to the traditional and recycled steel used in Volvo’s trucks.

Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris agreement on climate change and to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the entire value chain by 2040, at the latest.

https://bit.ly/3WXgdrr

Colin-on-Cars - De Villiers takes the title

Toyota’s Giniel de Villiers is the 2022 South African Rally-Raid Champion (SARRC), having nicked the position by finishing second behind Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer – who claimed their first overall race win in the EcoBoost V6 powered FIA T1+ Ford Ranger on the rain-drenched Parys 400 event.

The weekend started with a qualifying race held in cold and very wet conditions, over an already saturated route of 12 km. The mud and incessant rain made it tricky for the crews to find a rhythm, but even so, TGRSA’s crews performed well.

Variawa and Stassen set the benchmark time of 8min 1sec, and were followed home by brothers Johan and Werner Horn, driving a privately entered Toyota Hilux T1+, similar to that campaigned by TGRSA. Behind them came the three remaining works crews: De Villiers/Burke; Guy Botterill and co-driver Simon-Vacy-Lyle; and Lategan/Cummings.

Conditions continued to deteriorate as the delayed race start drew near, but when the flag dropped it was flat out racing in Parys. At the end of the first race loop, which was severely curtailed due to the conditions, it was Lategan/Cummings who led, with De Villiers/Burke in second, Variawa/Stassen in third and Botterill/Vacy-Lyle in fourth – a power performance by the works squad.

Shortly before the end of the loop, the organisers announced the second race loop would be cancelled due to the deteriorating condition of the track, which saw numerous competitors fail to reach the Designated Service Park (DSP) at the Parys Airfield. And with that, Round 6 was done.

Round 7 followed on the Saturday of the weekend, again starting with a qualifying race over a 12 km course. Continued rain over the preceding night meant even more treacherous conditions under foot, but the man who went fastest during qualifying the day before, was again best of the TGRSA crews: Variawa/Stassen posted the second-fastest time, with De Villiers/Burke in fifth place.

When racing got under way shortly after, the tough conditions took their toll. Lategan/Cummings moved into the lead mid-way through the opening race loop, but disaster struck around the 70 km mark: An alternator belt was dislodged in deep water, and when the crew attempted to pull off the route, they became severely stuck. Shortly after, Variawa/Stassen fell foul to a similar fate, ending up stuck within sight of their teammates.

Botterill/Vacy-Lyle also lost an alternator belt 6 km from the finish. This belt also drives the power steering pump, and with no assistance, the big-tyred Hilux T1+ becomes nearly impossible to drive. Despite this, Botterill managed to wrestle the car home to finish in fourth place overall.

Ahead of Botterill/Vacy-Lyle, De Villiers/Burke drove a faultless race to finish Loop 1 in second place. As with the previous day, the race organisers were forced to cancel the second race loop, cementing De Villiers/Burke’s second position, as well as De Villiers’ championship. This title capped a fantastic season for the South African-built and developed Toyota Hilux T1+, starting with victory on the Dakar Rally back in January this year.

The Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Castrol Team ended its season on a high as Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer claimed their first overall race win.

“We are thrilled with the win, as Boyd and I have been trying to secure our first win for at least 10 years,” Gareth said. “I’m really glad to finally pull it together in the most difficult conditions we’ve ever raced in.

“It has been a difficult year, with some small technical issues that have let us down, despite Boyd and I having one of our cleanest seasons yet,” Gareth added. “We’ve taken big strides forward with our T1+ Ranger, as we proved at the previous event and this weekend in Parys. So for next year, I think we’re in good shape for even bigger and better things.”

Team-mates Lance Woolridge and Elvéne Vonk (#234) led the NWM Ford Castrol team’s charge on Friday, finishing fifth overall. After setting the fourth-fastest time for Saturday’s qualifying loop, just 14 seconds off the lead Ranger, it looked set to be a thrilling battle for the final podium of this year’s championship.

However, they were among several of the top crews who got stuck around halfway through the race loop. Thanks to the assistance of the TeamHilux team of Eben Basson and Leander Pienaar, Lance and Elvéne were able to extricate their stricken Ranger from the quagmire – and were rewarded for their never-say-die attitude by coming home fifth in Class FIA T1+ and 14th overall.

“I didn’t think the conditions could get worse than yesterday, but it was manic out there today,” Lance said. “It was so slippery that we had to start braking from 600 to 700 metres away from a turn and then just tiptoe around the corner.

“We got stuck in a ploughed field where the two Toyotas ahead of us had already gone through, and when I got out the car I sank right down to my knees in the mud,” he added. “Elvéne and I didn’t want to slow the top teams down so we let them all past, then Eben and Leander, who had won their class championship on Friday, stopped and pulled us out, and we had a clean run to the end.”

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