Welcome

Welcome to Lab88′s 88Racing Blog. We at Lab88 decided to join forces with the guys from BBRacing and to enter into the ABSA Off-road Championship. We have by far the best look car and it goes like mad. We have a world class crew lead by Bevan Bertholdt. So far we have done the Sun City 400 and the Carnival City 400. We put in a good show at Sun City nearly winning the qualifying but were forced out of the race due to engine problems. Things went slightly better at Carnival City but we had our problems there too, we finished 5th in our class and 9th over all. A great effort. The desert didn’t treat us very well as we fell out the race. But the next race in Bloemfontein has got to be the one!!!!

Bloem, be good to us…Time to WIN

The race is on the 23^rd of October in Bloemfontein. We are going to be there and I believe we stand a good chance of winning. There terrain is perfect for a BAT an if all goes well, ours is by far the best contender! We will be running a competition in the Bloemfontein area start next week where one person and his or her best friend will stand a chance to join our Pit Crew and be part of the team for the next race, something very few people get a chance to do!

I will post details closer to the event!

Botswana – Chivalry is not dead, but it might break your car!

So there we were. In a country like no other. The entire population of Botswana turned up for this race, unbelievable sights, and unbelievable traffic. Friday saw the qualifying go off without a hitch. We were third in our class and 11th overall. Looking to make a big impression. The car was running beautifully even in these insane conditions and trust me, the conditions were insane. Day 1 saw us off to a good albeit a slow start. As we went through the course they were many competitors in all sorts of trouble and Bevan, been the man he is, stopped to help as many as possible. None as important as his brother, Gary, who has had a really big crash. Bevan and Dannie strapped up the Atlas Copco car that was half up and tree and upside down, to the front of the BAT and reversed at full speed. The Bakkie flipped upright and was good to go. Thanks to all the stops to help we finished the first 270KM loop nicely but had slipped back a few positions. After a clean pit stop without any incidents, Bevan and Dannie set off to make up some time, and boy did they ever make up time. Within a few minutes we were just behind the leaders and looking to finish the day near the front of the pack, but, then disaster struck. The driveshaft snapped! As a result of all the help and towing to much pressure had been placed on the shaft causing it to buckle bend and break…. That was the end of the race for the 88Racing team. What a disappointment!.

The question has to be asked, if we didn’t stop to help, where would we have been? Who cares! There was never a question if or why we stopped, we are team players and will ALWAYS help where we can, it’s just in our culture. So, with our heads held high we left Botswana…A sad end to what was much more than a race, it was an adventure ! Fantastic fun, with fantastic people…..no regrets.

Corporate Track Day

Well, Friday was great. The wind picked up making life a little more difficult but everything went off without a hitch. Our friends from Lenovo seem to have a great time and got to experience the thrill of driving in the BAT. The car was running better than it has in a long time and all the tests went off without a problem. She is in the wash bay and due to get a new set of tyres. Otherwise, we are ready for the desert…….GO TEAM!

I would say “follow us on Twitter or Facebook” but I think those that know us know better. Next stop, Botswana!

Corporate Day

Planning is well underway for our corporate day planned for this coming Friday. the cleaned up, serviced and generally overhauled car should be ready for a few laps of the grueling Gerotek tank track. Here’s hoping she is ready and the visitors get a kick out of it the same way we did when we first went for a drive

Where the hell is my passport?

Just realized that I have no idea where my passport is. After turning the house upside down I have come to the realization that it must be at the office, I hope. I REALLY don’t want to go through the pain staking process of getting another one before the 23rd of September! Aarrrgg