Rally Rikus reaps rewards

Rikus Fourie
Rikus Fourie with his MSA Achiever award
Image courtesy of Motorsport South Africa

Rikus Fourie is a man who has had rally car fuel pumping through his veins from a very early age. Affectionately known as ‘’Rally Rikus,” he has been involved in motorsport from the age of twelve as his parents, Joe and Martie Fourie, were involved in organising the VW Rally from 1991. Joe served as the Clerk of the Course from 1991- 2015 before handing over the reins to Rikus from 2016 to the present day. Rikus has fulfilled all possible roles in his active rallying career: Administration, Logistical planning, Arrow laying, Route plotting, Servicing, Marshalling, Official safety vehicle, Stewarding, Clerk of the Course, Scoring, Team Manager as well as being a competitor. Having received a special navigator-only licence in 1994 at fifteen, he finished 2nd in the Algoa Rally Championship in his first year.

After studying mechanical engineering in Stellenbosch, Fourie returned to Gqeberha in 2004, got involved in the Algoa Rally Championship that had stagnated, and became the youngest Clerk of the Course ever, getting a C-grade qualification for club and regional events in 2004 at the age of 25. He was upgraded to a B-grade rating whilst competing in National events in 2006 and then received his full A-grade licence in 2016 and became the regular Clerk of the Course on all National Rallies until 2020. He was also elected chairman of the National Rally Championship and served in this role from 2017-2020.

Some highlights of his career include having competed in the Africa Rally Championship with rounds in Kenya and Zambia, being a steward for an FIA World Rally Cross event, and being chosen as the Deputy Clerk of the course for the FIA Rally of South Africa.

Recent times have seen him serving as Chairman of Stewards at the FIA Africa Rally Championship with rounds in Kenya and Zambia. This season will include Rwanda and Tanzania.

If his schedule wasn’t full enough, he is still a regular navigator in the Algoa Rally Championship and the National Championship. Motorsport South Africa recognised him at their recent annual awards evening in Johannesburg. He was presented with a Special Award for his contribution to Rallying in South Africa and internationally. 

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