The Spirit of Africa Competition – specially created by legendary rally driver Sarel van der Merwe – is an off-road competition for drivers who want to test their skills against the toughest African conditions and other serious 4×4 teams.
In 2010, the Volkswagen Amarok was chosen as the official vehicle for the competition. A record 450 teams participated in the elimination rounds in Upington and the finals took place outside Swakopmund in Namibia
Sarel van der Merwe said, “We decided to make the 2010 event as tough as possible because we wanted to put the Amarok to the test.”
“Suffice to say that the Amarok passed with aplomb – handling temperatures of up to 40 degrees around Upington and some of the toughest dunes Namibia has to offer.”
The elimination rounds of the 2011 competition will be held in Upington, Northern Cape from 14 April to 16 May as well as in Kosi Bay, KwaZulu Natal from 16 June to 25 July.
Alan Straton
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