After a season that will be remembered for many years due to the outbreak of a global pandemic, the final two rounds of the 2020 South African National Cross Country Series (SACCS) will take place on the weekend of 23 and 24 October at Parys in the Free State. Both events, the Ford Parys 400 and the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Vaal 400, have full points up for grabs and this marathon motorsport weekend will be the final championship decider.
The eruption of the Coronavirus resulted in five months of no racing followed by a shortened season and a compacted second half of the year. The SACCS wished to show its appreciation to its loyal championship partners – Total, Ford and Toyota – and dedicates the final three rounds of the 2020 season that includes the recent TOTAL AGRI 400 that took place at Bothaville, to its sponsors.
If the level of success and the amount of compliments from competitors for the recent TOTAL AGRI 400 is anything to go by, the upcoming Ford Parys 400 and Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Vaal 400 will present cross country enthusiasts and supporters with a spectacular virtual treat.
Although spectators are still prohibited from attending SACCS and other sporting events and only limited crew members allowed to attend events, those following the racing season on various platforms are able to appreciate the quality of the competition while patiently waiting to attend events again. This will also be the situation for the fourth and fifth rounds of the series that will take place at Parys and while all eyes will be on those fighting for the various titles, the focus will also be on each and every team who continued with the 2020 series despite the challenging circumstances.
The recent TOTAL AGRI 400 was a resounding success and has left the door wide open for some intriguing action at the final two rounds with the Ford Parys 400 taking place on Friday, 23 October and the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Vaal 400 on Saturday, 24 October. The events will be conducted from the Parys Airfield where Race Headquarters as well as the Start/Finish and the Designated Service Point (DSP) will be located.
On Friday, the 10km Pirelli / Ford Parys 400 Qualifying Race will commence at 08:30 and will determine the starting order for the main race that will start at 10:30. The main race will consist of a 165km loop, which competitors in the Production and Special Vehicle Categories will have to complete twice, with a compulsory 30 minute de-control at the DSP after completion of the first loop. The results will mean points in the bag before taking on the final event of the season.
At 08:00 on Saturday, 24 October the Pirelli / Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Vaal 400 Qualifying Race will kick off proceedings with the results determining the starting order for the main race that will commence at 10:00. Competitors will again tackle a 165km loop from the Parys Airfield with a compulsory 30 minute de-control at the DSP before taking on the final loop and finishing at the airfield.
SACCS Route Director, Evan Hutchison nailed it with the TOTAL AGRI 400 and the route and terrain were enjoyed by all. Hutchison and Adri Roets are working closely with the landowners and relevant authorities to ensure a route that will end the season on a high note. Evan is confident with the incredible support from the community, the event will offer all a good challenge.
