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Nissan 400 promises great time for spectators

(7 March 2006) Adapted from motoring.co.za

The revised route for the Nissan Dealer 400 around Darling in the Western Cape over March 17/18 might give competitors a tough time - but it'll be a breeze for spectators.

The event will be the opening round of the National Off-Road championship, with all the top Production and Special Vehicle crews in action, and start and finish at the Darling Club.

It will have a three-loop format that's really spectator-friendly.

All told there are 12 designated spectator points and all are easily accessible and offer a good view of the action. Three of the designated spectator points are on the R315 Darling/Yzerfontein Road and are all within walking distance of each other.

"The spectator points on the R315 offer good viewing on both sides of the road," said clerk of the course Robert Marle. "Competitors can be seen coming down a steep hill and, after crossing the R315, tackling a challenging uphill.

"There is also good spectating at a point where competitors pass under the R315 via a subway. Further along this road the infamous watersplash will be taken in the opposite direction to previous years."

The Hildebrand Monument/Burgherspan road will also have three good spectator points with close-up views of the action. There are also two designated spectator points within five kilometres of the start on the Waylands road off the R304 Malmesbury/Atlantis road.

The final two spectator points are on the Darling/Moorreesberg road and the Rooihoogtevlei road . These also offer good views of the action and are easily accessible.

"With a minimum of moving about spectators will be able to see more of the action than in previous years," Marle added. "We are expecting a good turnout from and a festive atmosphere at the spectator points."

The rally will be run through a buffer zone of the West Coast Biosphere Reserve and spectators are especially asked not to litter, stay off fences or gate posts, park well off the road, not light fires (its a no-fires zone) obey race officials and, above all, respect other road users by driving responsibly.

On March 17 crews will from 1pm tackle the 40km prologue to determine start positions the next day when the first car will be flagged away at 8am.

Spectator guides will be available at the Darling Club and at the Off-Road Expo at the V&A Waterfront (4pm - 8pm on March 16). A variety of machinery in both the Production and Special Vehicle categories will be on show at the expo with crews and technical personnel on hand to chat.