28 Jun 2015

Thirty-four-year old South African National Rally champion Leeroy Poulter looks set to pull a surprise victory from the jaws of defeat against the tried and tested reigning Cross Country champion Anthony Taylor.

Victory eluded the youthful yet experienced driver in the last edition of the Toyota 1000 Desert Race when he and his navigator Rob Howie came 32 seconds behind Taylor.
In 2014, it was Castrol Team Toyota’s Taylor and his navigator Dennis Murphy who took honours on both race days.

Ironically, Taylor and Poulter are driving the only two factory prepared Toyota Hiluxes and supported by a huge cast of privateers such as Henri Hugo, amongst others.

On day two and Heat 1 of the coveted race, Poulter was in a mean mood and finished on pole position just 12 seconds before Taylor could reach the finishing point at the Jwaneng Golf club.

Motorite racing pair of Evan Hutchison and his co-driver Danie Stassen were also impressive in their BAT sandmaster hitting the podium well under 8 minutes before their closest competitors Colin Matthews and Rodney Burke in their Century CR3 engine.

Despite taking place in the same route, this year’s route offers some new sections which would again test the crews taking part to their limits.
Heat 2, which will end this afternoon (Sunday 28), is expected to bring more excitement and maybe upsets to many fans who had placed their money on different crews.

According to race organisers, the weather around Jwaneng region also provides perfect whether for motorsport despite the fact that they were worried about rain which could have spoilt the fun. Ends