MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Six Gun Grill Trans Agulhas Challenge (TAC), which started in Plettenberg Bay on 28 December, ended the 700km race in Strand on Wednesday, 31 December.
Among the pilots that signed up for this year’s 37th TAC were local heroes Wilko du Preez, making this his third challenge, and Dwayne Schrader, who has competed 12 times in the race now and boasts several podium finishes in the Pro Stock Class.
In this latest event, Schrader and his co-driver Arno Moolman placed 11th in the Pro Stock Class, finishing the 'world's toughest inflatable boat race' in 9 hours, 7 minutes and 11 seconds.
The race features three main categories: Stock, Pro Stock, and Modified, designed for different levels of performance and modifications, from beginner-friendly Stock setups to more powerful engines in Pro Stock, and extensive performance upgrades in Modified.
Often referred to as ‘rubber ducks’, they all feature tough inflatable hulls.
The race takes place over four days, or four stages. The first, starting in Plettenberg Bay on 28 December.
Racers leaving Mossel Bay on 29 December. Photo: Sharlton Groenewald
The first stage had racers complete 188,5km from Plett to Mossel Bay's Santos Beach.
According to a statement by Mossel Bay Tourism, about 400 000 people rotated during the day at Santos Beach for the race’s first stop, with the biggest surge being between the boats’ arrival and conclusion of the spectacular King of the Waves surf race, which kicked off at noon.
TAC organiser Stefan Lindeque said Sunday was a good day as participants could race at top speeds in flat waters.
"There were quite a few challenges at some beach stops, where they had to negotiate big dumpers (breaking waves), but everything went well and super-fast times were clocked on the way to Mossel Bay,” he said.
On 29 December, the boats left Mossel Bay to Stilbaai, completing 86km. Stage three, on 30 December, saw participants race 161km from Stilbaai to Strusibaai. The last day saw racers cover the largest distance, travelling 223km from Struisbaai to Strand. The final day’s three-tiered challenge then had boats racing past Uilkraalsmond and Gansbaai.
Lindeque said they expected fairly rough sea conditions on the second day of the challenge.
“A few boats capsized on the Plett to Mossel Bay leg, but they quickly got back into the race. With 48 boats contending, it was a very successful start indeed.”
The results on 31 December are as follows:
• Stock Class, first place - Dean Kruger and AJ Bosch
• Pro Stock Class, first place - Wihaan Malan and Harry Erasmus
• Modified Class - Eben de Bod and Dévan Marais
Previous articles:
- Gunning for a win! Mossel Bay dad braves ‘lucky 13th’ Trans Agulhas Challenge for an excellent cause
- Day 1 of Trans Agulhas ends in Mossel Bay
- Over 50 boats expected at Trans Agulhas
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