ERMELO STEPS IN
After the highly anticipated 2024 NTT Tzaneen rally was postponed, there was a period of great uncertainty. Tzaneen was supposed to make an appearance on the National Rally Calendar for the third year running, on August 30-31, this year, but Mother Nature had other ideas.
What is the problem?
The NRC was notified about the extensive damage to the plantations near Tzaneen caused by major bushfires about three weeks ago. There are currently still isolated fires igniting right now. The winter season in Limpopo this year has been significantly drier than usual.
In an effort to reduce the likelihood of fires and their potential spread, plantation owners around the world will not permit eventsโparticularly motorsport eventsโto occur during the dry season. Preparations for the 2022โ2023 Tzaneen rally were smooth sailing by particularly rainy weather. The skies parted, the weather was perfect, and the possibility of wildfires spreading was nonexistent. The hot and dry weather this year is making it impossible for us to proceed with the plans we made.
What must happen for us to continue?
With a 50mm rainfall number set as the sign for the “Green Light” to be given that the event can happen, an extended weather and rain forecast indicates that Tzaneen will not have any respite until the latter part of October this year. There were some difficult choices to make , but the show must continue. 2024 Toyota Gazoo Ermelo Rally here we come!!
What now?
When it comes to rallies, Ermelo is just as well-known as Tzaneen. Ermelo will host the SA National Rally Championship again, my friends and other rally enthusiasts. The last time our champs were let loose in Ermelo to kick up dust was in 2018. We welcome the 2024 Toyota Gazoo Ermelo Rally to the championship and are very grateful to Ermelo Toyota who will partner with the event as well.
“Jessievale,” “Panbult,” and “forests” seem to be the three most commonly considered words people use when using Rally and Ermelo in the same sentence. Alas, no, not this year. But have no fearโwe will absolutely be planning something similar inย the future. Who can forget the Castrol Rallies of years gone by? At this stage, the Toyota Gazoo Ermelo Rally will be a one rounder, a change from the traditional two rounds hosted since 2020.
The event will be compact in 2024 due to the short period available for preparations. Ermelo townย is relatively close to all the stages. Friday night will feature a night stage, and who knows, maybe there will be a Super Special stage in the mix as well. Great motorsport action will be on the menu.
Our Northern Region Rally heroes will be in action along side their national comrades. Kicking up major dust clouds and making sure there will be some “Wow” moments on the stages. This event already has the ingredients of an electrifying experience.
This is not good bye, but see you next year!
We apologize for any disappointment, but Tzaneen will be returning stronger than ever in 2025. The National Rally Championshipย (NRC) expresses its gratitude to the Tzaneen organizing committee for their tireless efforts in preparing for the 2024 race. To those in charge of organizing, we extend our gratitude: Paul Prinsloo, Theuns Viljoen, Erik De Jager, and Andre Liversage. Our thanks to The Greater Tzaneen Municipality for all their assistance in the hosting of the Rally Championship in their beautiful city. We will definitely be back
Thank you!
The NRC sincerely thanks our Tzaneen sponsors for their contributions and continued support. Farm Trace, Large Security, Shalom Group of companies, Star Spares, Supa Quick Tzaneen, CIM Lubricants, PPS, Merensky, and NTT Toyota, Isuzu & Honda, as well as all of our other sponsors and individuals involved, we appreciate your patronage and see you upon our return for the 2025 NTT Tzaneen Rally.
The Ermelo team is now in full swing to get the preparations done. Keep your eyes peeled for information as it becomes available. Our social media pages as well as website will give you all the information as it becomes available.
The organizers are in negotiations with a prominent hotel in town for exclusive rally packages and rates at a reduced price for our rally teams and supporters. We will communicate booking details as soon as we have finalized the venue.
The NRC would also like to convey our Thanks to our Championship Partners – CTrack , Fixed Mobile Telecoms, Mibern-Medicall, Toyota Gazoo Racing and TRAC N4 for your loyal and continued support! Without you, what we do will not be possible.
