Spectators will be well catered for on the Tour Natal, the opening round of the 2011 SA Rally championship, which will be run in kwaZulu-Natal on March 25/26.
The Arbour Crossing Shopping Centre in Amanzimtoti will be a focal point, hosting the start and finish of the two-day event that will test Southern Africa's best rally drivers and navigators over 14 special stages and about 155km of high-speed gravel and tarmac racing on kwaZulu-Natal's picturesque South Coast.
There will be ample opportunity before the ceremonial start at 1pm on Friday from under the Total arch to check out the cars and meet the teams. The first two stages, Drumdurroch and Invernettie on the Scottburgh/Umzinto/Ixopo R612 road, are repeated as stages three and four and the final stage on the first day will be a one-kilometre dash around a twisting course set up in the Arbour Crossing parking area.
This will start at 7.03pm and will provide spectators with grandstand seats for an intoxicating cocktail of burning rubber, hot brakes and screaming engines. For the kids there will be face painters, clowns, jugglers and jumping castles to add to the festival atmosphere.
Saturday's action will start at 7.58am when the first car enters special stage six, Montevideo, which will be repeated as stage 10 with the infamous Ellingham 1, Esperanza 1 and Isonti 1 (not a spectator stage) in between and repeated as stages 10 to 13. The show will end with another spectacular tarmac stage at Arbour Crossing, with the first car due to be flagged off at 3.03pm. The podium ceremony and prize-giving will start at 5.30pm.
A glossy spectator guide filled with information about the rally, including maps of the special stages and the seven official spectator points, will be available from Total service stations and rally headquarters at Arbour Crossing Shopping Centre from Wednesday, March 16. The Subaru Forester PA vehicle will be handing out sponsor's caps and bandanas at Arbour Crossing and all official spectator points.
Expert commentary will be provided by former Natal and National rally champion Tony Ball, one of the few to have competed at the highest level as both a driver and a navigator. He will be keeping the fans up to date on the winners of the special stages and the progress of the rally and will be offering prizes for correct answers to rally questions.
Rallying is a spectacular and exciting sport to watch, but there are some golden rules that need to be observed for your safety. Stick to these simple guidelines and following the Total Tour Natal Rally will be a safe and enjoyable experience for the whole family:
Obey the rules of the road at all times.
Always obey instructions from traffic authorities and marshals.
Don't cross into demarcated prohibited areas.
Don't spectate from dangerous points.
Keep young children under control at all times.
Don't take pets or animals into special stages.
Always park in a safe place off the road.
Don't litter or light fires.