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10th Spirit of Africa competition

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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles enters its fifth year of sponsorship of the Spirit of Africa Trophy with the supply of 23 Amarok Double Cabs. The sponsorship also includes R100 000 prize money for the top three finishers.

The sponsorship of the competition started in 2010 when Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles launched Amarok in South Africa.

“Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is proud to be associated with the Spirit of Africa competition. Through the competition, we have exposed our Amarok model range to thousands of people who have since become our customers and ambassadors of the Amarok brand. As the premier 4×4 competition in South Africa, Spirit of Africa provides an ideal environment to showcase the off road capabilities of the Amarok,” said Graeme Birch, Manager: Marketing for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

The Spirit of Africa competition is the ultimate test of 4×4 skills as it pits drivers against each other in the toughest off road African conditions. The competition is hosted by the legendary racing driver Sarel van der Merwe, who is also the Amarok brand ambassador.

“Apart from moving the venue from Kondowe in Limpopo, where we enjoyed two very successful years, we have made some changes to the format of the competition. The 2014 competition will be more technical and will feel like a new event to the guys who have competed in Spirit of Africa before,” said Sarel.

The elimination rounds of the 10th Spirit of Africa competition start on 24 April and end on 9 June in Zeerust, North West. Nearly 500 teams will be vying for the coveted 20 spots in the finals. The elimination rounds run over three days with 20 teams participating in different challenges which include speed tests, reverse tests and technical driving tests.

Previous venues of the Spirit of Africa competition have included the Kalahari desert near Upington in the Northern Cape (four times), Kosi Bay in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal (three times) and Kondowe Nature Reserve in Limpopo (twice).

Sarel vd Merwe
The competition is hosted by PE’s legendary racing driver Sarel van der Merwe.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.