NelspruitThe Spirit of Amarok | The Ultimate Amateur 4×4 Competition – Nelspruit https://showme.co.za/nelspruit Nelspruit, South Africa for all your local and tourism information; from accommodation to events, entertainment, attractions and news - ShowMe Nelspruit | T Feed Tue, 26 Mar 2024 08:45:05 +0000 hourly 1 https://showme.co.za/nelspruit/?p=68890 The Spirit of Amarok | The Ultimate Amateur 4×4 Competition https://showme.co.za/nelspruit/interactive/local-personalities/the-spirit-of-amarok-the-ultimate-amateur-4x4-competition/ Mon, 15 Oct 2018 07:41:18 +0000 Here are some photos of the 2018 finals for the Spirit of Africa Amarok Championships at Kwanyoni Lodge...]]> Photos courtesy of Spirit of Amarok & ShowMe Nelspruit
 
 

The International Spirit of Amarok Competition!

Spirit of Amarok Teams

Alkmaar, South Africa – There is a certain annual competition that takes place globally for the most avid 4×4 enthusiasts and this year it took place right here on our doorstep!

The fourth edition of the only amateur 4×4 precision driving championship with international status, the Spirit of Amarok, took place this past week at Kwanyoni Lodge in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

  • The fourth annual International Spirit of Amarok competition.
  • The international competition saw 20 teams from ten countries vying for the coveted Wolf Trophy.

From behind the wheel of the Volkswagen Amarok, teams from Australia, Botswana, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Namibia, Russia, South Africa and Taiwan, China went head to head on a course designed by rally and track racing legend, Sarel van der Merwe.

Wikus
 
 
Scouting out the venue in 2017.
 
From left: Mr Johan Sippel, Mr Wikus Du Plessis and Mr Sarel Van Der Merwe

The International Spirit of Amarok Competition is plotted and closely overseen by Sarel van der Merwe who designs each speed stage, sets the target time for every off-road challenge and plans the point allocation as well as the deduction methodology.The unforgiving, rugged terrain of Mbombela, Mpumalanga put both man and machine to the test to see which country was the best driver/navigator duo.

1The teams used BiTDI 132kW 4MOTION® Auto Amaroks to contest various challenges over four days.  A series of challenging trails were mapped out with the express view of testing drivers and navigators to their limits, while demonstrating the Amarok and its outstanding attributes in the most unforgiving of environments. Emphasis was placed on speed and technical driving ability, as well as co-driving skills and team

work.

During the speed challenges, contestants were required to drive a pre-determined course in the fastest time possible while avoiding obstacles such as poles, or any other obstacle on the course. Points were earned based on the time taken to complete the course relative to the other teams.

Technical competition stages are a measured course over challenging off-road terrain such as sand or rock. A specified time to complete the course was provided to contestants prior to the start of the event. Teams received 100 points at the start of each technical course. Points were deducted if the team touches a pole, needs to reverse, or arrives outside the specified time window.

In addition to speed and technical driving tests, competitors would be required to complete other off-road adventure-related challenges as part of the competition such as timed tyre changing and vehicle recovery.

Team South Africa - Wolf Trophy

“The winners of the 2018 International Spirit of Amarok competition, team South Africa took home the magnificent Wolf Trophy, which is a very fitting symbol of the qualities of patience, strength and determination that the winners must demonstrated to be named the toughest amateur off-road driver in the world,” said Mark Handley, Head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

“We are incredibly proud of the growth of the International Spirit of Amarok. In the four years since the International Spirit of Amarok started in South Africa, the competition has grown to include representation from various countries across four continents. After the action that this year produced, we anticipate that the number of countries competing will continue to grow,” added Handley.Medals were awarded to the top three countries; as well the top three teams overall, whilst the overall winning team was awarded with the coveted Wolf Trophy.

Check out this awesome video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o419XJ7EmNY and then some photos below…

Photo Gallery:

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