Colin-on-Cars - Charge in six minutes

Former Aston Martin Vanquish and Jaguar F-Type designer, Ian Callum’s company, is at the heart of an electric vehicle battery development that could reduce charging times to just six minutes..

Design and engineering business Callum, together with the pioneering developer of ultra-fast-charging batteries, Nyobolt, have revealed the Nyobolt EV. Designed by Julian Thomson, developed and executed by Callum together with Nyobolt, it is set to feature Nyobolt’s new advanced battery technology that can charge fully in less than six minutes.

David Fairbairn, managing director at Callum, says: “Nyobolt’s pioneering battery technology has provided us with a unique and inspiring opportunity to support the design and execution of a vehicle set to mark the way forward for EV technology.

“The collaborative creativity, engineering capabilities and steadfast efforts of Nyobolt, Julian Thomson and Callum have resulted in an EV that is not only exciting technically for the industry, but something that is beautiful to behold, too.”

Nyobolt, wishing to demonstrate this ultra-fast charging battery technology in a nimble, lightweight sportscar, turned to the talents of revered car designer, Julian Thomson.

Thomson’s natural starting point was the Lotus Elise, having conceived it in early 1994 and, since its release in September 1996, has always wanted to evolve and modernise it.

Following Nyobolt’s approach in 2021, and working as a freelance designer at the time before being appointed design director at GM Advanced Design Europe, Thomson embraced the opportunity, inviting design and engineering business Callum to see the design through to execution.

The result of this collaboration is the Nyobolt EV – a sports car with greater presence and exaggerated proportions. Sitting on 19-inch wheels all around, its low-slung body 100 mm wider and 150 mm longer than its inspiration, while maintaining an aggressive attitude and hunkered stance that’s reminiscent of the original.

“The aim was to evolve the design and bring it up to date while keeping that iconic sports car character that was so well received in the Elise,” explains Aleck Jones, creative lead at Callum.

“Nyobolt’s technology allows this car to tick all the boxes that made the original Elise such a desirable drivers’ car with a cult following, but it’s electric. These two things don’t usually come hand-in-hand due to weight and battery packaging constraints.”

The new battery technology is smaller, lighter and faster to charge. In the Nyobolt EV, set to weigh close to one tonne, this translates into a 35 kWh battery that is capable of fully charging in just six minutes with existing charging infrastructure, delivering a range of up to 250 km.

Additionally, the battery has been tested for over 2 000 fast charging cycles without significant performance loss.

Nyobolt’s ready-to-deploy technology, which will go into production in early 2024, unlocks this ‘holy grail’ through a proven 10C (six-minute) charge lithium-ion technology that is capable of immediate application and rapid scale-up. This breakthrough translates to a nimbler, more efficient EV with a lower up-front cost, lower running costs and lower use of scarce raw materials.

Sai Shivareddy, CEO at Nyobolt, said: “Unlocking the challenges faced by electric vehicle designers has been key to the development of our breakthrough fast-charging batteries.

“Previously, enabling a lightweight fast-charging vehicle was not possible without compromising its lifetime and so people have been relying on costly and large battery packs in the vehicle.

“With our unique technology, we have achieved a six-minute charge car and developed smaller battery packs that can deliver more power and charge in less time.”

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Africa Automotive - VW electric tractors for Rwanda

Volkswagen electric tractors will soon be tending the fields in Rwanda following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Volkswagen and the Government of Rwanda that will see the establishment of a modern farm.

The MoU was signed by Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Ildephonse Musafiri, Serge Kamuhinda, CEO of Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda and Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen South Africa in the presence of Imelda Labbé, member of the Brand Board of Management of Volkswagen for Marketing, Sales and After Sales.

As part of the MoU, the Government of Rwanda has agreed to provide land in Gashora (Bugesera District) for the project, as well as to assist with permitting and licensing requirements of the project.

The objective of the GenFarm Project in Rwanda is to make a positive sustainable socio-economic and environmental impact on the community by creating a carbon-neutral business ecosystem.

The GenFarm Project is a holistic ecosystem of e-powered mechanised farming services for rural areas in Africa that is reliable, sustainable and environmentally friendly. The excess energy used to charge the electric tractors will provide power for post-harvest handling and storage.

The pilot project in Rwanda is steered by Volkswagen Group Innovation in partnership with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda.

“The signing of the MoU with the Government of Rwanda marks yet another milestone for Volkswagen’s sustainable mobility lighthouse projects in Rwanda. Our long-term plan is to build up demand for electric batteries in Africa by introducing locally relevant business solutions. The future of mobility in Africa will also be determined by the storage and distribution of green energy. With the GenFarm, we hope to address the mobility needs of customers with a high transformational impact on the African economy,” says Martina Biene.

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Africa Automotive - Ghana to hold auto summit

With more than 20 models assembled in Ghana, the West African country is rapidly becoming a major automotive roleplayer on the continent and will hold its maiden Automotive Summit on  June 27, at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC) Grand Arena.

The theme for the summit; ‘Creating A New Economic Backbone for Ghana and The Sub-Region,’ will present an opportunity for leading experts and industry professionals in the sector to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the automobile industry. 

“We are delighted to host this maiden summit, which will explore the future of the automobile industry and the technologies and innovations that will shape it. This will provide us with the opportunity as a country to discuss the issues and opportunities impacting businesses and the automobile industry as a whole,” the AAAG President, Jeffrey Oppong Peprah emphasised.

Jeffrey Oppong Peprah

The AAAG membership includes Volkswagen Ghana, Japan Motors, Rana Motors, Kantanka Automobile, Silverstar Ghana and Stallion Group Toyota-Tsusho Company. Associate members are Toyota Ghana and CFAO Motors Ghana.

The event is expected to attract an audience of hundreds of senior-level representatives from across the breadth of the industry, including vehicle manufacturers, component manufacturers, engineers, government, the financial sector, insurance, global organisations, and the media.

The panel discussions will address key areas of focus for the automotive ecosystem including sustainability, competitiveness, standards, the creation of a local used car market, component manufacturing, retail, auto financing, and insurance, amongst others.

Speakers will include Senior executives from vehicle manufacturers, policymakers, and a host of content experts from automotive and aligned industries.

This summit is proudly supported by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariate, Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

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Colin-on-Cars - Volvo delivers first electric truck in South Africa

The first electric trucks from Volvo Trucks South Africa have officially hit the road with KDG Logistics, which is responsible for much of the car carrier transport locally, getting the keys to an FM 4x2 Tractor.

Volvo is offering its most popular extra heavy trucks in its electric line-up – the Volvo FH, the Volvo FM, and the Volvo FMX. They will be available in truck tractor or rigid configurations, from 4x2 to 8x4, giving it the industry’s most extensive portfolio of zero exhaust emission trucks.

“Volvo Trucks has been committed to social, environmental, and economic responsibility since the start of our company,” says Waldemar Christensen, managing director of Volvo Trucks South Africa.

“Now, protecting the environment is the biggest challenge we face. The Volvo Group is a leading force in the shift towards the electrification of the transportation, mobility, and equipment sectors, making a real impact on our customers’ efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.”

In total, the Swedish truck manufacturer has sold almost 5 000 electric trucks since 2019 in about 40 countries.

Surprised

Christensen said the company was pleasantly surprised by the amount of local interest in its electric trucks, and that the first movers in South Africa are companies that value their environmental impact and already have programs to reduce emissions.

“The size of the company is largely irrelevant. Transporters can see that electric drivelines are going to play a bigger role in our near future, and many want to get early exposure on how the technology works in real operations, so they are positioned well for the shift,” he says.

“There is also no single silver bullet transport solution that can address all the fleet owner's requirements. Therefore, Volvo Trucks offers gas-fuelled trucks, electric trucks and fuel cell trucks under its three-pronged approach. We believe electrification will happen segment by segment and region by region.”

“Our move to electric trucks was driven by our objective to be more efficient in every aspect of our business,” says Abdool Kamdar, KDG Logistics’ manager of Decarbonization and Net Zero.

“We believe what sets us apart from our competitors is the fact that we focus on operational and environmental efficiencies in our business, which includes steps to lessen our impact on the environment and enhance safety for all road users.”

Relationship

The KDG Group has a long standing relationship with Volvo Trucks and has 175 diesel units in its fleet already.

Eric Parry, Volvo Trucks SA’s sustainable solutions manager, said the trucks have been designed, developed and built to handle any major commercial operation that South African companies need to deal with.

“Our trucks are designed to handle high temperature ranges and a variety of operational conditions. With a driveline that has 490 kW or power and 2 400 Nm of torque, it will not struggle on the hills,” says Parry.

“One of the main advantages of going electric is it provides drivers with a silent and vibration-free ride while delivering smooth and massive power.”

Depending on the model, two or three electric motors combined with an I-Shift gearbox adapted for electromobility provide the drive.

Control

The power is handled by a traction control system also developed to master slippery surfaces. Different drive modes are available to set the desired performance, comfort and energy usage levels.

When fitted with six battery packs, depending on the application, it has 378 kWh of energy, ensuring sufficient range for most regional haul assignments.

Volvo’s electric trucks also meet the same high crash safety standards as the company’s other trucks and offer the same safety systems as the diesel models.

A Volvo electric truck will need to be serviced only once a year, so fleet downtime will be kept to a minimum. The company has also installed 120 kW DC fast chargers at each of its main dealerships, primarily as a workshop tool, but also to support demo vehicles if needed.

The Volvo electric truck’ range is up to 300 km, enough for most city and regional applications. However, the trucks can cover up to 500 km during a normal workday if a top-up charge is added, for example during the lunch break.

Volvo’s electric trucks can be charged with an AC charger (for example a charging box) at up to 43 kW and with a DC system (stationary charging station) with a capacity of up to 250 kW.

Using a 43 kW AC charger, it takes around nine hours to fully charge the batteries. With a 250 kW DC charger, the charging time is reduced to approximately two hours. The battery can be charged more quickly up to 80% capacity, in just the same way as a smartphone, because the charger slows down towards the end of the process to protect the battery cells.

Question

The question on everybody’s minds in South Africa is a lack of a consistent supply of electricity and how operators can work around this challenge to efficiently operate electric trucks.

“In a way, we believe it is all down to planning,” said Parry. “Operators will have the necessary tools to plan their charging options according to their workload and routes, even though there is load shedding.

“In addition, most of the first movers already have some sort of off-grid power solution and in a lot of cases, they can be upgraded to supplement grid charging.”

Parry explained at this stage, the electric trucks are mostly aimed at regional distribution customers. In most of those cases, they return to a home base at some point in the day. This is usually the point where charging makes the most sense. So public charging is not as relevant for these operations. Having control of their own charging allows customers to fix their costs of energy.”

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Africa Automotive - Call to share technology

A recent call by the Arab parliament for Morocco to share its experience and know-how in the automobile industry confirms African countries' accelerating desire to become active players in this ever-growing sector with their own facilities.

Morocco is gearing up to produce 2-million cars a year and the automotive manufacturing scene in Morocco has experienced significant growth and development in recent years.

The country has become an attractive destination for automotive manufacturing due to its strategic geographic location, favourable business environment, and government support.

Morocco's automotive industry has been bolstered by the establishment of several major automotive manufacturing plants, both by international companies and local manufacturers. Some notable companies that have set up production facilities in Morocco include Renault, PSA Group (Peugeot-Citroën), and Ford.

These companies have invested heavily in the country, creating job opportunities and contributing to economic growth.

Incentives

Morocco has actively pursued policies to attract automotive manufacturers, offering various incentives such as tax breaks, investment subsidies, and a skilled labour force. The government has also invested in infrastructure development, including the construction of industrial parks and specialized training centres for automotive manufacturing.

The country's automotive manufacturing sector primarily focuses on vehicle assembly, although there has been an increasing emphasis on developing local supply chains and promoting the production of components and parts within Morocco. This localization strategy aims to enhance the country's competitiveness and reduce dependence on imported components.

In terms of technology, Morocco has made strides in adopting advanced manufacturing processes and digitalization in its automotive industry. Many manufacturers have implemented Industry 4.0 technologies such as robotics, automation, and data analytics to improve efficiency and productivity.

Research

The government has also emphasized the importance of research and development (R&D) in the automotive sector, encouraging collaboration between industry players and academic institutions.

As for offering technology to other countries, Morocco can indeed leverage its automotive manufacturing capabilities and expertise to expand its international footprint. By exporting technology and sharing best practices, Morocco can enhance its reputation as a reliable and competitive player in the global automotive industry. This can lead to further investment, job creation, and economic growth.

Moreover, technology transfer can facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration between Morocco and other countries, fostering innovation and mutual development. It can also open up new avenues for partnerships and joint ventures, benefiting both Moroccan companies and their international counterparts.

Morocco recently lifted the curtain on two prototypes made by Moroccans in the field of the automotive sector. The first was a conventional car targeting the wider public named ‘Neo Motors’ and the second was a forward-looking hydrogen-powered car.

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Africa Automotive - Volkswagen supports Africa growth

Volkswagen is fully supportive of growth in the automotive industry in Africa, having taken over the assembly responsibilities of the plant in Ghana from its licenced importer, Universal Motors Limited.

The Africa Union commemorates it 60th anniversary this year on Africa Day with the slogan ‘Our Africa, Our Future’ and this slogan resonates strongly with Volkswagen as the company continues to grow its presence on the continent.

Ghana is the fourth Volkswagen assembly location in Sub-Saharan Africa after Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa, where Volkswagen has been manufacturing vehicles for more than 72 years.

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) Chairperson and Managing Director, Martina Biene, is positive about Africa’s growth potential, saying a number of African countries have introduced compelling incentive plans for locally assembled vehicles to attract OEMs such as Volkswagen to invest in the development of the automotive industry on the continent.

From left Volkswagen Ghana Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Peprah, Martina Biene, Chairperson and MD of Volkswagen Group South Africa, Andrew Potgieter, VWSA advisor to Ghana, Ulrich Schwabe, VWSA Production Director and Thomas Milz VWSA Sales and Marketing Director at the recent Ghana plant opening.

“We are encouraged by the automotive policy changes which some of the countries have implemented or in the process of implementing. These policies will help us to sell new high-quality vehicles which are backed by a well-established global brand to our African customers,” said Biene.

Biene added Sub-Saharan Africa has become very important for the sustainability of Volkswagen.

Future

“The future of Volkswagen is in Africa. We are therefore accelerating our growth strategy on the continent by playing a pioneering and leading role in the development of the automotive industry.”

Volkswagen already has a presence in 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa where it sells passenger and commercial vehicles through licensed importers.

“We will continue to grow the Volkswagen brand in these markets and strengthen our aftersales support to customers. Ongoing training is provided to technical staff at the Volkswagen locations to meet customer requirements and expectations,” Biene added.

Growing

According to the African Development Bank of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies, five are in Africa - Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Biene affirmed Rwanda and Côte d’Ivoire are also two of Volkswagen’s fastest-growing markets. Rwanda, with an economy growing at close to 8%, shows significant potential for increased mobility solutions and electric vehicles due to its relatively young, tech-savvy population and growing middle class.

“Rwanda has been the success story of our growth plans in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is also the innovation hub of our sustainable mobility lighthouse projects on the continent. Our mobility solutions services business, which includes ride-hailing and corporate car sharing, broke even last year. Rwanda was also the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to launch a Volkswagen electric vehicle with the e-Golfs,” concluded Biene. 

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Africa Automotive - Electric deals for Cairo

Stellantis, the global auto giant formed out of the merger between the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group and Fiat Chrysler, is to spend around $35-billion to build a factory in Cairo for the manufacture and export of electric vehicles by 2025, while Ashok Leyland from India is also looking to Cairo as a market for its buses.

The Ashok Leyland venture comes with the signing of a joint venture deal with Egyptian car manufacturer El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing and, initially, will extend and modernise an El Nasr factory in Cairo that will produce trucks, vans, pick-ups and buses in all-electric mode.

Ashok Leyland is looking to see its range of ‘circuit’ buses moving about African roads – this vehicle with artificial intelligence (AI) needs a single daily charge to travel up to 120 kilometres.

In recent years, the global automotive industry has witnessed a significant shift towards sustainable transportation solutions, with electric vehicles (EVs) emerging as a promising alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered cars.

While the adoption of EVs has gained momentum in many parts of the world, Africa, with its unique set of challenges and opportunities, is gradually making progress in embracing this transformative technology. This article delves into the advancements of electric vehicles in Africa, exploring the driving forces behind their growth, notable initiatives, and the potential impact on the continent's sustainable development.

Challenges and Opportunities

Africa faces several challenges when it comes to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. These challenges include limited charging infrastructure, high upfront costs, inadequate access to electricity, and concerns about range anxiety.

However, amidst these challenges lie opportunities that can be leveraged to accelerate the growth of EVs. Africa's abundant renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind, present an ideal foundation for sustainable charging infrastructure. Additionally, the continent's rising middle class, urbanisation trends, and the need for cleaner transportation solutions create a fertile ground for EV market growth.

Public-private partnerships and investments play a crucial role in driving the progress of electric vehicles in Africa. International organisations, development banks, and private companies have recognised the potential of the African market and are investing in various EV-related initiatives.

For example, the African Development Bank launched the ‘Green Mini-Grid Market Development Program’ to support the deployment of off-grid renewable energy systems, including solar-powered charging stations. Companies such as Tesla, BYD, and Nissan have also shown interest in expanding their presence in Africa, either through partnerships or direct investments.

Public transportation represents a significant opportunity for electric vehicle adoption in Africa. Many African cities are characterised by congested roads and poor air quality, making the transition to electric buses a viable solution.

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Colin-on-Cars - Beyond the rubber

Michelin has diversified its business model from being a purely tyre company to incorporating fleet solutions for the trucking industry through the use of high-tech telematics and data analysis in a product called Micheline Connected Fleet – making its debut in South Africa.

Michelin Connected Fleet solutions are designed to provide tools and information that fleet operators and managers need to easily manage their fleets on a daily basis and transform their operational efficiency. Michelin Connected Fleet customers today represent approximately 300-million journeys a year across Europe, North America and South America – 70 000 customers, spanning 16 countries.  

Currently the Michelin Group has more than 1,2-million vehicles under contract. Michelin Connected Fleet is leveraging this technological leadership to provide its customers with the key success insights and tools in order to reconcile their economic, human and environmental challenges.

Launch

Speaking during the local launch, Shivani Pillay, Michelin Connected Fleet Country Manager, said: “We are focused on helping fleet managers to accelerate their business with consultancy services, based on smart data and tools, which lead to better insights and visibility.” 

Michelin Connected Fleet transforms data into insights to act as a partner and transform fleet operations. The team is focused on helping to optimise fleet productivity, increase uptime, reduce operational costs, whilst also bolstering road safety and preventing accidents by providing valuable feedback on driving behavior.

Michelin Connected Fleet also provides tools to avoid risky situations, with a suite of configurable alerts and high security add-ons to increase security of goods transportation, a key necessity in the South African market.

Highlighting Michelin Connected Fleet’s offer, Shivani Pillay added: “Our offers stand out for delivering personalised consultancy from our team of Michelin Connected Fleet experts. It’s no longer enough just to provide access to fleet data; we have performance analysis embedded into our offering.

"This means we are perfectly placed to help customers master the management of their fleets and improve their operations.  Our analysis can help transporters be at the forefront of fleet management. We’re focused on adding value, at every stage.”

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Colin-on-Cars - Hilux tames the sugar cane

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings crossed the finish line to take top spot at the Sugarbelt 400 held near Eston, KwaZulu-Natal recently – with teammates Giniel de Villiers/Dennis Murphy in a second Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux not far behind.

"It was a lot tougher to open the route during qualifying than we expected, and we lost some time there," shared race-winner Lategan. "The first race loop went very well until we slid off the road while reversing after an overshoot. We were wedged against a tree and lost some time extricating the GR DKR Hilux T1+, but we got going again."

The crew also suffered a puncture shortly after this incident, which further delayed their progress. They also faced a problem with the front differential, finishing the first loop with a deficit of 1min to the leaders.

Lategan and Cummings didn't let the issues hold them back, however. They pushed extremely hard during the second loop, managing to make up enough time to secure victory, despite suffering a second puncture.

"We fought our way back during the second loop," Lategan added. "Our team's determination and hard work paid off, and we are thrilled to have secured the win."

Hot on their heels, teammates Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dennis Murphy finished a mere 3min 16sec behind, securing a solid second place. The final crew in the TGRSA line-up, Guy Botterill and Simon Vacy-Lyle, narrowly missed the podium, finishing in a commendable fourth place overall.

"I am immensely proud of our crews for having shown grit, determination, and a strong fighting spirit," said Glyn Hall, TGRSA Team Principal. "Despite facing some challenges, they stayed focused and brought home outstanding results."

The Sugarbelt 400 course, set in the beautiful and rugged terrain around the town of Eston in KwaZulu-Natal, posed its unique challenges. The race wound through sugarcane fields and plantations, testing the mettle of all participants.

With the Sugarbelt 400 now in the past, TGRSA is shifting its focus to the next challenge: the TGRSA 1000 Desert Race. Known as the longest and toughest motorsport event on the African continent, this race is also a 'home race' for TGRSA, as the team also serves as the title sponsor for the event.

"We are looking forward to the TGRSA 1000 Desert Race, and we are keen to maintain our momentum," Hall added. "This year, the race is moving back to Botswana, where it will be run in the area around the southern town of Jwaneng. Our crews are up to the challenge, and we are excited to see what the next round holds for us."

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Colin-on-Cars - Ford dominates in Eston

Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer proved that they are serious contenders for the South African Rally-Raid Championship title this year following an impressive performance at this weekend’s Sugarbelt 400 in Eston, KwaZulu-Natal, which earned them a second consecutive podium.

The Neil Woolridge Motorsport (NWM) Ford Castrol crew proved their potential, as well as that of the EcoBoost V6-powered T1+ Ranger, on Friday’s 52km qualifying loop by blitzing the short but intense sprint through the sugarcane plantations that define this scenic farming area.

They completed the qualifying sprint in a time of 42 min 49 sec after a faultless run – a substantial 01:13 quicker than second-placed Toyota rivals Giniel de Villiers and Dennis Murphy, and a further two seconds ahead of the second Toyota of Henk Lategan/Brett Cummings.

Their advantage was ultimately cut back to just four seconds after the qualifying sprint was recalculated to end at the 20.29km mark following a fire that blocked the route for several competitors. NWM Ford Castrol team-mates Lance Woolridge and Kenny Gilbert slotted into third place overnight based on the revised times, just seven seconds adrift of De Villiers/Murphy, and a mere one second ahead of Lategan/Cummings.

Saturday saw the exciting battle at the sharp end of the field gain further momentum as Gareth and Boyd completed the opening 162km loop in the lead after a fast and trouble-free run – with a useful margin of 59 seconds to Lategan/Cummings, and 04:43 ahead of De Villiers/Murphy.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan for Lance and Kenny, as a navigation error cost them considerable time and they dropped down the running order.

Punctures afflicted several of the top competitors on the second 162km loop, and this included Gareth and Boyd as they had to replace a tyre with 50km remaining. With less than a minute separating the NWM Ford Ranger pair from the lead at the final split, the thrilling tussle faded as they picked up a problem on the front brakes with just 30km to go.

Having to rely solely on the handbrake to slow the vehicle, Gareth and Boyd fought tenaciously right to the finish, and were rewarded with third place overall. They lost out on second place by just 14 seconds to De Villiers/Murphy after almost 350km of high-paced action, with the win going to Lategan/Cummings. This was the NWM Ford Castrol crew’s second podium on the trot, after securing the runner-up spot at the season-opening race in Malalane.

“It was great to win the qualifying race yesterday, and we started today strong and found a good rhythm on the first loop,” Gareth said. “We were even quicker on loop two and it was going really well until we got the puncture. We then had the brake issue which cost us a lot of time, so finishing third is a good result all considered.

“For our local championship, it’s really exciting that the top teams are very evenly matched. Today was a proper race, especially amongst the three of us up front. We all had a laugh at the end and agreed that it was extremely close, which is nice to see,” Gareth added.

Lance and Kenny’s first loop navigation error was compounded by an issue with the rear differential, which the team elected to replace at the mandatory 30-minute service stop. They incurred a further 15 minutes of lateness making the change, but fortunately had a clear and impressively fast run through the second loop, bringing the NWM Ranger home 12th overall and seventh in T1+.

“It was a tough weekend for us after the navigation mistake this morning, but Kenny and I are learning together which is our goal for this year,” Lance said. “On the second lap we had a perfect run without a single mistake and got into a really nice groove, so Kenny is very quickly getting to grips with the road book and GPS navigation.

“We also stopped to pull out Eben Basson and Leander Pienaar after they overshot a corner, and were happy to return the favour after they helped me at the Parys event last year,” Lance said. “We are looking forward to the Desert Race in Botswana, as that’s the big one and we have a lot of work planned for the cars, but the pace we had this weekend is very exciting for us.”

It was a positive result for NWM team principal, Neil Woolridge. “We’re always working on the car with upgrades and evolutions, and all the effort the team has put into it this year is really showing, as we’ve been very competitive in both of the opening races, which is very encouraging.

“Our joint development project with M-Sport is also bearing fruit, as we learn a lot about the car every time we go testing together,” Neil said. “Last week we completed around 3 500km of testing in Morocco without any issues, proving just how tough and capable our T1+ Ranger is, and it’s fantastic to be taking the fight to our rivals this year.”

The next race is the Toyota 1000 Desert Race in Jwaneng, Botswana, from 23-25 June 2023.

Story and Pictures: Colin Mileman

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