Round 2 of the East Cape Off-Road Club Championship delivered a brutal test of man and machine this past weekend, as competitors battled scorching, windless conditions at Johnny’s Pit Stop just outside Despatch.

With temperatures climbing and not a breath of wind to offer relief, the stage was set for what would become a true race of survival rather than outright speed. Drivers faced a demanding course that combined fast, flowing sandy sections with unforgiving rocky climbs and technical terrain — a layout that exposed weaknesses and rewarded consistency.

Emerging from the dust and drama were Derek and Chester Wilmot, the formidable father-and-son pairing, who delivered a near-flawless performance in their VW-powered Sandmaster. Showing both experience and composure, the duo conquered the punishing conditions to secure overall victory by an impressive margin of almost six minutes, a commanding result in a field where seconds often separate competitors.

Hot on their heels, Quentin Lessing and Brendan Smith powered their way to second place in what was an eye-catching debut for their brand-new Sandmaster. Fresh out of the workshop and straight into competitive action, the car proved both fast and reliable, with the team delivering a polished performance under pressure and their result signals a serious challenge for the championship as the season unfolds.

While some thrived, others fell victim to the punishing nature of the course.

• Attie and AJ van Deventer saw their race cut short in heartbreaking fashion during their CRT car’s debut, when a snapped fan belt forced an early retirement.
• Noel and Annemarie Acton endured yet another setback, suffering gearbox failure and recording their second retirement of the season, leaving them still searching for their first points.
• Club Chairman Paul Mare’s challenge ended dramatically when his VW Sandmaster lost a front right wheel during Stage 3, a mechanical failure that brought his race to an abrupt halt.

It was a stark reminder that in off-road racing, finishing is often the biggest victory of all.

Before the main event, the time trials offered a glimpse of the competition’s pace with the following finishing positions –

1. Paul Mare
2. Quentin Lessing & Brendan Smith
3. Noel & Annemarie Wilmot
4. Attie & AJ van Deventer
5. Derek & Chester Wilmot
6. Grant & Gregory Watkins

Overall Results

When the dust settled, the final standings reflected both speed and survival:

1. Derek & Chester Wilmot
2. Quentin Lessing & Brendan Smith
3. Grant & Gregory Wilmot

With multiple retirements shaking up the points table, round 2 has added an extra layer of unpredictability to the championship fight. Reliability, strategy, and endurance are proving just as critical as outright pace and with several teams already facing setbacks, the door is wide open for a thrilling season ahead. As the EC Off-Road Club heads into the next round, one thing is certain: if this event is anything to go by, fans can expect more dust, more drama, and plenty more action.