Ross and Roxanne Bartle delivered a remarkable performance at the Algoa National Rally, claiming third place overall in Friday's round six of the National Championship. The siblings, driving their Indy-backed, 1 l turbocharged VW Polo, demonstrated grit, speed, and determination in tough conditions. They navigated the Longmore Forest stages and roads around Despatch and Kariega, showcasing their skills and resilience.
The Algoa National Rally presented a significant challenge, with difficult roads and relentless weather testing the competitors. The event's conditions were as much a part of the story as the competition itself. The weather had already created challenging circumstances before the first competitive kilometres were driven, with consistent rain in the days leading up to the event leaving the rally roads in extremely challenging condition.
The Algoa Rally Club organising committee faced a substantial task to prepare the roads for the event, working tirelessly to grade and make the stages suitable for rallying. However, Saturday's persistent rain further deteriorated the conditions, adding another dimension to an already demanding event. The crews, machinery, and concentration were all tested, and simply making it through the stages became an achievement in itself.
The Bartle siblings' third-place national finish on Friday was the standout result of a demanding weekend. On Saturday, they faced another fierce challenge, finishing 11th in round seven. The persistent rain transformed the rally into a genuine battle of survival, requiring commitment from the opening stage to the final kilometre.
The overall results for round six of the National Championship saw Benjamin Habig and Barry White take first place, driving a VW Polo. Dawie van der Merwe and Matt Kohler, also in a VW Polo, secured second place. The Regional Championship was led by Dawie van der Merwe and Matt Kohler, with the Bartle siblings in second place.
The Club Championship was won by Owen Jones and Aiden Bredenkamp, driving a Subaru Impreza. In round seven of the National Championship, Jono van Wyk and Nico Swartz took first place, driving a VW Polo. The Regional Championship was again led by Dawie van der Merwe and Matt Kohler.
The Bartle siblings' performance underlines their skill and determination in challenging conditions. Their strong Friday result and hard-fought Saturday performance demonstrate their ability to adapt and compete at a high level. The Algoa National Rally's demanding nature and unpredictable weather made it a true test of the competitors' abilities.
Key points
- Ross and Roxanne Bartle claimed third place overall in round six of the National Championship.
- The Algoa National Rally was marked by challenging weather conditions and demanding roads.
- The Bartle siblings demonstrated grit, speed, and determination throughout the event.
