Nissan South Africa’s Spirit of Africa Challenge Recap

We recently had the opportunity to join Nissan South Africa for its second Spirit of Africa challenge, hosted at Zeerust farm in the North West. Here’s a recap of  our thrilling experiences on this unforgettable adventure.

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The Spirit of Africa event is all about embracing adrenaline, speed, precision and the breathtaking natural surroundings. With keys in hand and teams paired off, the anticipation was palpable. As a first-timer to the Spirit of Africa challenge, I entered with a sense of curiosity, unaware of what lay ahead. However, after the initial challenge, it became evident that this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill 4×4 trail. Every manoeuvre, whether on or off the track, was meticulously crafted to assess either speed or precision, overseen by the watchful eyes of Sarel Van Der Merwe and his dedicated team of officials.

The Nissan Navara 4X Pro bakkie proved to be an excellent companion for the challenges ahead, powered as it is by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel that produces 140 kW of power and 450 N.m of torque. This engine is coupled to a seven-speed automatic transmission. The Pro-4X provides 224 mm of unladen ground clearance and 600 mm of wading depth, making it  an ideal companion for venturing off the beaten path.

 Comparing the Soon-to-be-Discontinued NP200 with the Cheapest Nissan Navara

The challenges were diverse, ranging from speed tests to technical obstacles. In the speed challenges, precision was key as we navigated through strategically placed route markers, with penalties for any infractions. The technical sections demanded a different skill set; switching to low range and carefully manoeuvring through rocky terrain and narrow passages, all while maintaining trust and communication between driver and co-driver.

Despite a promising start, our journey hit a snag when a seemingly minor ding on the rear bed of the Navara led to disqualification. Despite the setback, we resolved to make the most of the experience. After lunch, freed from the constraints of scoring, we unleashed the full potential of the Navara, pushing the envelope of its abilities through more speed