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SA cross country series heads to Parys for finale

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Gareth Woolridge. Image: Quickpic
Gareth Woolridge. Image: Quickpic

• Rounds four and five of the 2020 SA Cross Country Series will be held in Parys in the Free State. 

• Ford Parys 400 takes place on Friday, 23 October, followed by the season finale on Saturday, 24 October. 

• There are close championship battles for the overall Production Vehicle and FIA class podium. 

A double-header awaits the South African Cross Country Series competitors this weekend as the action returns for the fourth and fifth rounds in the Free State town of Parys on 23 and 24 October 2020.

Due to the coronavirus, this year's season has been shortened by two events. 

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Image: Quickpic

Only 16 points separates Ford's Lance Woolridge in sixth place from second in the FIA class driver's championship and things are hotting for the unique format for the season finale this year, comprising two separate action-packed races.

Ford says co-driver Elvéne Vonk is currently fifth overall – a mere five points adrift of second place in the title chase heading into Parys.

Having scored a podium finish in the season-opener at the Mpumalanga 400 in February, Woolridge and Vonk are keen to end the 2020 championship on a high note – especially as it’s likely to be the last official outing for the Neil Woolridge Motorsport-run team’s current Ranger V8 in the premier class. 

ford

Image: Quickpic

Gareth Woolridge and Boyd Dreyer are seventh overall in the drivers and navigators rankings respectively, with a fourth-placed finish at the Total Agri 400 in September. 

The two-part Parys event commences with the Ford Parys 400 on Friday 23 October as round four of the series. The Parys Airfield is once again serving as the start/finish and designated service park, competitors will have a short 14 kilometre qualifying race, setting off from 08:30, to determine the starting order.

The main race will begin at 10:30, with the crews beginning at two-minute intervals and completing two loops of the 164km route, separated by a scheduled service stop.

Round five of the championship follows the very next day, on Saturday 24 October, and is titled the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Vaal 400. The format remains largely the same, with the 14km qualifier starting at 08:00, followed by two loops of a slightly longer 168km route that begins at 10:00.

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Image: Quickpic

No spectators are allowed to the DSP or at the event due to Covid-19 restrictions. Fans can follow all of the action and track the position of the crews throughout the races using the RallySafe app, which can be downloaded free of charge for iOS and Android devices.

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