Page 72 - World Airnews Magazine October Edition 2020

SPEED
RALLY

THE SAPFA SECUNDA

SPEED RALLY

By Rob Jonkers

Leon Joubert & Sandi Goddard in their Lancair ZU-LNC

his year we returned to the birth place of the speed rally -
Tthe third ti me this event has been held here.
Although this would have been the season finale, SAPFA decided

to extend this second season up to the end of the year to also
include Springs which will be held on the 28 November. This means
that at least three events have been held in 2020 so a new season
can start next year.

After the country moved to level 3 we were able to hold events

and planning started for Secunda. Competitors snapped up the
open spots of 23 teams within days.

Under level 2 over nighting could also be done, with arrivals and
test flights on the day before and the extended briefing on steroids

with the race number handouts.
Our host club with chairman Johan van Niekerk went all out to
support the event, making arrangements for food on site, contacts

15 sec gap take-off between three aircraft – for accommodation and the use of club facilities.

aircraft on the runway Vans RV-7A registration Arrivals started coming in from just before midday with flight

ZU-IHH (Johan van Eeden and Cor Esterhuizen)

tests commencing in good conditions under the guidance of Mark
Clulow and Sean Cronin. The wind did start to pick up with gusty
conditions which later settled down in the late afternoon.

Thereafter at 18h30, master of ceremonies Jonty Esser intro-
duced Rob Jonkers who took to the stage and briefed those pres-

ent on expectation for the next day in terms of the planned route,
how many turn points, distance, departure and arrivals protocol.
He also spoke about how the scoring system would work and the
expected weather conditions.

Jonty Esser then took to the stage and gave his introductory
theme song videos and race number handouts. He introduced the
event and the team sponsors, which has unfortunately reduced
over this last period, but it was great to see that some were able to
maintain their support for their teams.

A scrumptious braai was laid on by the club and the evening ended

on a high note with fire stories around the braai. The next morning the

Bob Cohoe and Johan van Niekerk (Secunda Club briefing began at 8h30, with a basic of the route, radio procedures and

Chairman) - American Champion 7-GCBC ZS-OZI weather, which turned out to be pristine with very little wind.
World Airnews | October 2020
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