With a little more than two months to go before the start of the 2021 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia on 3 January 2021, Dealerfloor spoke to Terence Marsh, CEO and founder at Red-Lined Motoring Adventure about the South African influence on the race.
According to Marsh, more than 40% of the race cars in the starting line-up for the T1 Dakar category in 2020 boasted South African manufacturers. “One can easily see how local manufacturing talent is starting to dominate the entries to this legendary endurance race,” Marsh said at his manufacturing factory in Midrand.
Red-Lined is well-known for the T1 Nissan Navara V8, which is regarded as one of the best-manufactured solid axle race cars in the world. Both the 5.6 litre and the 5.0 litre models come with a double wishbone front and rear live/solid axle, Sadev 6-speed sequential gearbox and 16x7 Evo Corse Wheels. The Nissan Nismo VK56VD model produces a whopping 265 kW @ 4 750 rpm and 575 Nm @ 4 000 rpm.
Although most competitors and manufacturers spend a lot of time, effort and money in producing race cars that have a fair chance of winning, Red-Lined is not focused on winning the prestigious race. “We focus a lot on participants who have a life-long ambition to take part in the race as an experience or ticking off an item on their bucket list,” Marsh said.
He further explained that Red-Lined Motoring Adventure is a bespoke company that can manufacture and assist anyone in the world wanting to take part in the most gruelling motor race in the world. “With our track record, we have an exceptionally high finishing rate at the Dakar owing to our extensive training and support programmes,” Marsh explained. According to him, they have entered a total of 10 cars to date with only one driver crashing out and not being able to complete the event.
The Dakar does not always take centre stage for the team at Red-Lined, as they focus a lot more on the exhilaration of motoring adventures in the form of other international and local race events as well as exclusive corporate entertainment days. “We refer to it as the greatest rollercoaster ride out there and the ticket you can’t buy….so if you are into living on the edge and pumping with adrenaline, then this is for you,” Marsh challenged.
Starting the business in 2011, he and his team have manufactured more than 38 cars to date with a focus not only on performance but also on reliability and safety.
Volkswagen has expanded the new Tiguan model line-up with the addition of two new engines, a 2.0 TDI with 110kW and a 2.0 TSI with 140kW. Both engines are offered with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
DFSK South Africa announced that effective immediately, DFSK will be extending its warranty offering on its new DSFK KO1S Bakkie and DSFK C35 Panel Van to a 50 000km / 2-year warranty for all new customers ensuring greater peace of mind and customer satisfaction.
The challenge for us is to maintain our Dealer of the Year status in the future as it symbolises the effort we put in to create the best environment for our customers and our staff.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Mahindra South Africa marked two decades of success in the country by hosting the Mahindra Fusion Fest, a landmark event that blended business, culture and community engagement and set the stage for a dynamic third decade, according to the manufacturer.
The SunBet Arena in Pretoria is a hive of activity as Mahindra South Africa finalises preparations for its historic Fusion Fest this Saturday (22 February).
Digi Cars Group, a dealership group in the South African automotive industry, is making an impact at this year’s EidFest, which is taking place at the Gallagher Convention Centre from Thursday, 20 February to Sunday, 23 February 2025.
