GOLD 400 COMBINES FAMILIAR SECTIONS WITH BRAND NEW ROUTE FOR THE GRAND FINALE

The 2018 South African Cross Country Series (SACCS) is drawing to a close with the sixth and final round of the season, the Gold 400, taking place on 2 and 3 November at Glenharvie, Westonaria and with almost all the championship titles still up for grabs tensions are running high, and everyone will be hoping the cards fall right for them.

For the season finale, the route will consist of various areas and sections that have been used over the past six years and will bring back memories to those who have competed here while the new sections will be the same for all. With the event so close to Gauteng’s major cities – Johannesburg and Pretoria – hundreds of spectators are expected to make the short journey to experience the racing action first hand and this might just add to the pressure the teams will be feeling.

The Gold 400 will start and finish at the Kloof Recreation Club at Glenharvie where the race headquarters as well as the designated service park will be situated. From here the route will travel south around the mining operations of Sibanye Stillwater to the farming community of Kalbasfontein before heading in a northerly direction through Jachtfontein and Waterpan en-route back to Glenharvie.

According to SACCS Route Director, Adri Roets, the combination provides a new challenge and competitors will be faced with a good technical route around the mining town of Glenharvie. The structuring of the route as well as the areas it will visit, will also make for excellent spectator value and cross country enthusiasts can look forward to a weekend of thrilling racing action.

Spectators can get up close and personal with the teams and will be able to get their posters signed and pose for photographs with their favourite teams during the compulsory 30-minute service halt and regroup at the Kloof Club after the completion of the first loop. National competitors will then restart the second of the two loops at 12:00.

The conditions are dry, and dust can play an important factor in the outcome of the race, but competitors and spectators are hoping for some early spring rains to bring relief.

“The SACCS management team has always received excellent co-operation from Sibanye Stillwater and the authorities and we would like to convey our appreciation for their efforts in making sure this event is a success yet again,” Roets said.

“An event of this magnitude will also not be able to take place without the permission of the landowners and the co-operation of the local communities and we are grateful to them for having us back for the final round of the 2018 season,” he continued. “It has been an exciting season and as the chase for the titles continue at Glenharvie, the final event is set to be the highlight of the season. To conclude the season the Gold 400 on the West Rand will be the highpoint and the teams, their supporters, sponsors and cross country enthusiasts can enjoy and celebrate at the Kloof Recreation Club,” Roets concluded.

The Qualifying race will start on Friday, 2 November at 14:00 at the Kloof Club and will determine the starting order for the second racing section on Saturday when the action will start at 08:00. There will be enough refreshments with food and beverage outlets provided by the Glenharvie Combination School as well as the Kloof Club. Public entrance to the Kloof Recreation Club, the designated service park, start and finish as well as the spectator areas along the route, is free.