The PMC Gauteng Rally took place on 23-24 May 2014 in the Babsfontein area. After not having the ideal start to their season the Manitou Group team with driver, Paul-Hendrik, son of Pierre and Karin Franken, and navigator, Henry Kuhn, was hoping to have a better event in round three of the SA Rally Championship.
The team got off to a good start. Having a trouble free run on Friday, they were in fifth position in class at the end of day one. With only 37 seconds separating them to second place, they knew that the battle would be fierce for positions on Saturday.
"Ernie van der Walt unfortunately had mechanical issues and we moved up one position after stage four. The rest of the event we were fighting for positions with Ashley- Haigh Smith and Chris Coertse, who both drove great events"- Paulus Franken
At the end of the event the Manitou Group VW Polo R2 finished third in class and tenth overall. This result gives the team valuable points at this stage of the Championship. Hoping that their streak of bad luck is now behind them, they are focusing on the remainder of the season.
The next event will be the Volkswagen Rally, 11-12 July 2014 in the Eastern Cape. "We look forward to this event as it is the home event for Volkswagen", added Paulus Franken.
Thanks to the support the team receive from Manitou Group, Volkswagen Motorsport, SASOL Racing.
Photo: Paul-Hendrik Franken en Henry Kuhn
