The South African National Rally Championship is a series of rallying events that has taken place each year since 1960. It was won eleven times by Sarel van der Merwe in the 1970s and 1980s and ten times by Serge Damseaux from 1989 to 2004. Toyota and Volkswagen vehicles have won the title of champion car in most years since 1998.
Now in its 61st consecutive year, the sport has been kept alive by privateers since 2017 with the decline of sponsorships and non inv-lvement of manufacturers due to the world wid- economic slow dow.
The NRC 1 class took over from the 1600 R2 homologated cars as the official Championship class of the SA Championship. __NOTOC__
South African Rally Champions Year Driver Co-Driver Car Roger Houghton's book of South African Rally Winners 1960 - 2003Wheel Annuals Editions 24 to 27 (2004 to 2007) 1960 Ewold van Bergen Alan van Niekerk Austin A40 1961 Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 1962 Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 1963 Jan Hettema Reinhard Muhl Alfa Romeo / Auto Union 1964 Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakley-Smith Datsun 1965 Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakley-Smith Datsun 1966 Francis Tucker Raggy Schjolberg Volvo 1967 Jan Hettema Robbie Broekmeyer Volvo 1968 Jan Hettema Raggy Schjolberg Toyota 1969 Jan Hettema Franz Boshoff Toyota 1970 Ewold van Bergen Minota van Bergen Datsun 1971 Elbie Odendaal Christo Kuun Alfa Romeo 1972 Elbie Odendaal Christo Kuun Datsun 1973 Louis Cloete Christo Kuun Chevrolet / Ford 1974 Lambert Fekken Johan Borman Ford 1975 Sarel van der Merwe Brian Woodhead Datsun 1976 Jan Hettema Stuart Pegg Ford 1977 Sarel van der Merwe Richard Leeke Datsun 1978 Sarel van der Merwe Chris Hawkins Ford Escort / Marina V8 1979 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Ford Escort 1980 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Ford Escort 1981 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Ford Escort 1982 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Ford Escort 1983 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Audi Quattro 1984 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Audi Quattro 1985 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Audi Quattro 1986 Hannes Grobler Piet Swanepoel Nissan Skyline 1987 Geoff Mortimer Franz Boshoff Audi Quattro S1 E2 1988 Sarel van der Merwe Franz Boshoff Audi Quattro S1 E2 1989 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 4x4 1990 Glyn Hall Martin Botha Volkswagen Golf GTi 1991 Hannes Grobler Franz Boshoff Nissan Sentra 4x4 / Ford Laser 4x4 1992 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 4x4 1993 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 4x4 1994 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 4x4 1995 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 4x4 1996 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 4x4 1997 Jan Habig Douglas Judd Volkswagen Golf 1998 Serge Damseaux Vito Bonafede Toyota Conquest 1999 Jan Habig Douglas Judd Volkswagen Golf 4 Kit Car 2000 Serge Damseaux Douglas Judd Toyota Corolla 2001 Jan Habig Douglas Judd Volkswagen Golf 2002 Jan Habig Douglas Judd Volkswagen Golf 2003 Serge Damseaux Robert Paisley Toyota RunX 2004 Serge Damseaux Robert Paisley Toyota RunX 2005 Jan Habig Douglas Judd Volkswagen Golf / Polo S2000 2006 Enzo Kuun Guy Hodgson Volkswagen Polo S2000 2007 Jan Habig Douglas Judd Volkswagen Polo S2000 2008 Hergen Fekken Pierre Arries Volkswagen Polo S2000 2009 Hergen Fekken Pierre Arries Volkswagen Polo S2000 2010 Enzo Kuun Guy Hodgson Volkswagen Polo S2000 2011 Conrad Rautenbach Robin Houghton Ford Fiesta S2000 2012 Mark Cronje Robin Houghton Ford Fiesta S2000 2013 Mark Cronje Robin Houghton Ford Fiesta S2000 2014 Leeroy Poulter Elvene Coetzee Toyota Yaris S2000 2015 Mark Cronje Elvene Coetzee Ford Fiesta S2000 / Toyota Yaris S2000 2016 Leeroy Poulter Elvene Coetzee Toyota Yaris S2000 2017 Guy Botterill Simon Vacy-Lyle Toyota Etios R2 2018 Guy Botterill Simon Vacy-Lyle Toyota Etios R2 2019 Guy Botterill Simon Vacy-Lyle Toyota Etios R22020Guy BotterillSimon-Vacy LyleToyota Etios Rally 2 Kit2021Theuns JoubertSchalk Van HeerdenToyota Auris S2000 2022Chris CoertseGreg GodrichMazda 2 Rally 2 Kit 2023Johannes PotgieterTommy Du ToitHyundai i202024(4 WD) Chris CoertseCarolyn SwanMazda 2 Rally 2 Kit2024(2 WD) Anton RaathsIsabel RaathsToyota RunX 1600cc2025(4WD) Benjamin Habig jrBarry WhiteVolkswagen Polo 2000cc Turbo2025(2 WD) Russel StoneJonty BrownToyota RunX 1600cc
Champion Manufacturers YEAR CHAMPION 1968 Volvo 1969 Volvo 1970 Alfa Romeo 1971 Alfa Romeo 1972 Ford 1973 Datsun 1974 Datsun 1975 Not Awarded 1976 Ford 1977 Datsun 1978 Datsun 1979 Datsun 1980 Nissan 1981 Toyota 1982 Toyota 1983 Toyota 1984 Nissan 1985 Volkswagen 1986 Nissan 1987 Nissan 1988 Volkswagen 1989 Toyota 1990 Toyota 1991 Volkswagen 1992 Volkswagen 1993 Volkswagen 1994 Volkswagen 1995 Toyota 1996 Volkswagen 1997 Volkswagen 1998 Toyota 1999 Toyota 2000 Toyota 2001 Toyota 2002 Toyota 2003 Toyota 2004 Toyota 2005 Toyota 2006 Toyota 2007 Toyota 2008 Toyota 2009 Toyota 2010 Toyota 2011 Toyota 2012 Ford 2013 Toyota 2014 Toyota 2015 Toyota 2016 Toyota 2017 Not Awarded 2018 Not Awarded 2019 Not Awarded2020Not Awarded2021Not Awarded2022Not Awarded2023Not Awarded2024Not Awarded2025Not Awarded
Championship Wins
Drivers Driver Wins Sarel van der Merwe 11 Serge Damseaux 10 Jan Habig 6 Jan Hettema 5 Ewold van Bergen 4 Guy Botterill 4 Mark Cronje 3 Elbie Odendaal 2 Pieter Muhl 2 Hannes Grobler 2 Enzo Kuun 2 Hergen Fekken 2 Leeroy Poulter 2Chris Coertse2 Francis Tucker 1 Louis Cloete 1 Lambert Fekken 1 Geoff Mortimer 1 Glyn Hall 1 Conrad Rautenbach 1Theuns Joubert1Johannes Potgieter1Anton Raaths (2WD)1(4WD) Benjamin Habig jr1( 2WD ) Russel Stone1
Co-Drivers Co-Driver Wins Franz Boshoff 11 Vito Bonafede 7 Douglas Judd 7 Reinhard Muhl 3 Christo Kuun 3 Robin Houghton 3 Elvene Coetzee 3 Simon Vacy-Lyle 4 Rex Wakley-Smith 2 Raggy Schjolberg 2 Robert Paisley 2 Guy Hodgson 2 Pierre Arries 2 Alan van Niekerk 1 Robbie Broekmeyer 1 Minota van Bergen 1 Johan Borman 1 Brian Woodhead 1 Stuart Pegg 1 Richard Leeke 1 Chris Hawkins 1 Piet Swanepoel 1 Martin Botha 1Schalk Van Heerden1Greg Godrich1Tommy Du Toit1(4WD) Carolyn Swan1(4WD)Barry White
Manufacturers Manufacturer Wins Toyota 38 Datsun / Nissan 9 Volkswagen 9 Ford 3 Volvo 2 Alfa Romeo 2Mazda2Hyundai 1
Rally Wins
Drivers Co-Drivers Co-Driver Wins Franz Boshoff 73 Vito Bonafede 52 Douglas Judd 36 Guy Hodgson 24 Robert Paisley 21Simon Vacy-Lyle21 Robin Houghton 18 Mike Hooper 15 Pierre Arries 15 Elvene Vonk (Coetzee) 13 Brian Woodhead 10 Reinhard Muhl 9 Richard Leeke 9Greg Godrich9Barry White9Nico Swartz9 Gus Crous 8 Raggy Schjolberg 8 Christo Kuun 8 Willem van Heerden 8 Rex Wakely-Smith 7 Minota van Bergen 7Schalk Van Heerden7 Johan Borman 6 Peter Marsh 6Carolyn Swan6 Piet Swanepoel 5 Alan van Niekerk 4 Tom Oerder 4 Stuart Pegg 4 Reg Ridden 4 Tommie Du Toit 4 Robbie Broekmeyer 3 Peter Cuffley 3 Nicholas Klinger 3 Hennie Steenkamp 2 Tom Campher 2 Scamp Porter 2 Gus Menzies 2 W Wedel 2 Peter Withers 2 Ronel Behm 2 Chris Hawkins 2 Martin Botha 2 Gideon Trollip 2 Andre Vermuelen 2 Drew Sturrock 2 Cobus Very 2 Bjorn Degandt 2 Gerhard Snyman 2 Henry Kohne 2 Nic van Vuuren 1 D Palmer 1 Willem du Toit 1 T Smith 1 T D van Rooyen 1 Piet van Rooyen 1 Len Withers 1 Dave Higson-Smith 1 Leon Joubert 1 J Swart 1 Jan Kriek 1 Vic Deiner 1 Louis Joubert 1 Dave Richards 1 Wiley Harrington 1 Steve Harding 1 Johan Sieling 1 Martie Olivier 1 Nic Hadden 1Christopher Pichon 1Matt Kohler1Rikus Fourie1
Manufacturer Rally Wins Manufacturer Wins Toyota 124 Ford 80 Volkswagen 10 Datsun / Nissan 51 Audi 39 Volvo 19 Auto Union 9 Chevrolet 8 Opel 7Mazda7 Alfa Romeo 6 Renault 5 Austin 4 Daewoo 4 Hyundai 4 DKW 3 Subaru 3 Hillman 2 Triumph 2 Rambler 2Hyundai1
Season Results
1960 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 Transvaal Trial Colin Hedge Rex Wakley-Smith Volvo 122 S 2 Tour Natal Gene Bosman Nic van Vuuren Hillman Minx 3 Protea Trial Ewold van Bergen Alan van Niekerk Austin A40 4 Amatola Rally Ewold van Bergen Alan van Niekerk Austin A40 5 3rd International Total Rally Ewold van Bergen Alan van Niekerk Austin A40 6 African Alpine Rally Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union CHAMPIONS Ewold van Bergen Alan van Niekerk Not Awarded
1961 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 Tour Natal Ewold van Bergen Hennie Steenkamp Austin A40 2 Protea Trial Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 3 Amatola Rally Jan Hettema Tom Oerder Alfa Romeo 4 4th International Total Rally Leicester Symons Ray Hauptfleisch Volkswagen 5 SAM 400 Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 6 SA Alpine Rally Cancelled 7 Vaal Gold Cup Trial D W Campbell Rex Wakley-Smith Alfa Romeo CHAMPIONS Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Not Awarded
1962 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 Tour Natal Gene Bosman Tom Campher Hillman Minx 2 Protea Trial Geoff Palmer D Palmer Triumph 3 Amatola Rally Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 4 Desert Trial Cancelled 5 SAM 400 Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 6 5th International Total Rally Phil Porter Scamp Porter Renault Dauphine 7 Vaal Gold Cup Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union CHAMPIONS Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Not Awarded
1963 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 Transvaal Trial Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 2 SAM 400 Jan Hettema Tom Oerder Alfa Romeo 3 Tour Natal Jimmy Andrews Tom Campher Volvo 4 Cape Double 12 Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 5 Protea Trial Pieter Muhl Reinhard Muhl Auto Union 6 Amatola Rally Jan Hettema Tom Oerder Alfa Romeo 7 6th International Total Rally Jan Hettema Hennie Steenkamp Volvo 8 Vaal Gold Cup Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Datsun CHAMPIONS Jan Hettema Reinhard Muhl Not Awarded
1964 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 SAM 400 Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Datsun 2 Transvaal Trial Jan Hettema Tom Oerder Volvo 3 Cape Double 12 Gene Bosman Willem du Toit Volvo 4 Protea Trial Chris Swanepoel Gus Crous Renault 5 Moonlight Rally Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Datsun 6 7th International Total Rally Phil Porter Scamp Porter Renault 7 Tour Natal Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Datsun 8 Vaal Gold Cup No Results CHAMPIONS Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Not Awarded
1965 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 SAM 400 Sonny Tompson T Smith Volvo 2 Transvaal Trial Jimmy Andrews Gus Menzies Volvo 3 Trial Oranje Laurie Swanepoel T D van Rooyen DKW 4 Vaal Gold Cup Neels Vermaak W Wedel Alfa Romeo 5 Cape Double 12 Francis Tucker Raggy Schjolberg Volvo 6 Protea Trial Chris Swanepoel Gus Crous DKW 7 Goldfields 250 Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Datsun 8 Moonlight Rally P M Gordon Peter Withers Opel 9 8th International Total Rally Jan Hettema Gus Menzies Volvo 10 Tour Natal Chris Swanepoel Gus Crous DKW CHAMPIONS Ewold van Bergen Rex Wakely-Smith Not Awarded
1966 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 SAM 400 P M Gordon Pieter Withers Opel 2 Transvaal Trial Neels Vermaak W Wedel Volkswagen 3 Cape Double 12 Francis Tucker Raggy Schjolberg Volvo 4 Protea Trial Ewold van Bergen Piet van Rooyen Datsun 5 Moonlight Rally Jan Hettema Mike Hooper Volvo 6 Trial Oranje Gerry Gericke Christo Kuun Anglia 7 9th International Total Rally Jan Hettema Mike Hooper Volvo 8 Tour Natal Jan Hettema Mike Hooper Volvo 9 Vaal Gold Cup P M Gordon Len Withers Opel CHAMPIONS Francis Tucker Raggy Schjolberg Not Awarded
1967 Round Rally Driver Co-Driver Car 1 Transvaal Trial Jan Hettema Mike Hooper Volvo 2 Cape Double 12 Jan Hettema Mike Hooper Volvo 3 Protea Trial Jan Hettema Mike Hooper Volvo 4 Goldfields 250 Jan Hettema Robbie Broekmeyer Volvo 5 Moonlight Rally Ewold van Bergen Mike Hooper Datsun 6 10th International Total Rally Jan Hettema Robbie Broekmeyer Volvo 7 Tour Natal Robin Thompson Ronel Behm Opel CHAMPIONS Jan Hettema Robbie Broekmeyer Volvo
1968