Mafikeng 500 sponsor named

The Mafikeng 500, round four of the SA Off Road Championship for Production and Special Vehicles -- presented by Absa - has a new sponsor.

The president of the MSA Off Road Car Racing Commission, Piet Swanepoel, announced today that Cornbake Foods, manufacturers of Oven Fresh Biscuits, had agreed to sponsor the event organized by the Mafikeng Motor Club.

Cornbake Foods is owned by the Variawa / Moolla family and the late Abdul Variawa was one of the sport's leading competitors from mid 1970 until mid 1990.

"The event will be known as the Oven Fresh Biscuits 500 and will commemorate the late Abdul Variawa," said Piet Swanepoel. "Abdul had a penchant for racing VW Beetles and was a formidable opponent who was well liked by the entire off road racing fraternity."

The Variawa family was impressed by the camaraderie and competitive spirit in off road racing and this rubbed off on son, Shameer, who started racing in 1993 at the age of 16. Long time family friend Buks Carolin assisted him throughout his career.

"Shameer proved to be a fast learner and was extremely quick in whatever vehicle he drove," said Carolin. "His consistency and pace earned him and I the Special Vehicle title in 2000".

Cornbake Foods is a leading producer of bulk biscuits and daily manufacturers 70 tons at its Johannesburg factory of which 40 percent is sold in the North West Province.

"My father loved racing in the North West Province and in the Mafikeng 500 in particular so it is fitting that the Oven Fresh Biscuits 500 should be in commemoration of one of the great ambassadors of off road racing," said Shameer Variawa. "Furthermore, the North West Province is a key market for us and sponsorship of the race is a way of providing our thousands of consumers with some top rate entertainment."

The Oven Fresh Biscuits 500 will be held on July 25 and 26 with race headquarters at the Mmabatho Tusk Hotel. Proceedings get underway with a 42km Prologue at 12:45 on Friday, July 25 to determine starting positions for Saturday's main event, which starts at 08:00 and will consist of two loops of 224km.

-msa-