The fifth round of South African Rally Championship “Volkswagen Rally” was held from 10-11 July at Eastern Province. Claiming an early championship crown in South Africa was defending champion, Charl Wilken who took his fifth victory in as many events at the event taking the production class title in the series.

Wilken’s Konica Minolta Rally Team-supported new Subaru Impreza featured the larger 33mm turbo restrictor following the recent FIA rule change and assisted Wilken in setting an impressive pace during the first day of competition. After four stages, Wilken held the overall lead in front of many S2000 cars but lost time over the following few stages but still securely held third place overall. A puncture during a long stage lost Wilken over two minutes and third place overall but didn’t hinder his championship hopes as he still finished first in the production class and seventh overall. As the result, he took their second consecutive production car and class N4 titles with still remaining three rounds.

The next round of the series, round six, “Osram Rally” will be taken place from 21-22 August around Free State.