Serge Damseaux and Robert Paisley claimed the lead in the Total Rally South Africa after winning Special Stages four, five and six in the Class S2000 Castrol Toyota RunX RSi.

The reigning SA Rally Champions started this morning in second place behind Johnny Gemmel and Martie Olivier in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7, who retired with a damaged front shock absorber. Interestingly, Gemmel had no spare shock absorber otherwise he would have been able to continue.

Class S2000 contenders Ettienne Lourens and Andre Vermeulen (Total Toyota RunX RSi) are 17-seconds behind the leaders with Jannie Habig and Douglas Judd (Volkswagen Polo) third a further 14 seconds adrift.

Enzo Kuun and Guy Hodgson’s rally came to an end when the gearbox casing on the Volkswagen Polo cracked as they were about to start Special Stage 5.

Unofficial positions after Special Stage 4:

1. Gemmel / Olivier (Mitsubishi)

2. Damseaux / Paisley (Toyota)

3. Lourens / Vermeulen (Toyota)

4. Ryan / van Heerden (Subaru)

5. Fekken / Arries (VW)

6. du Plessis / von Westernhagen (Subaru)

7. JP Damseaux / Frey (Toyota)

8. Habig / Judd (VW)

9. Rautenbach / Marsh (Subaru)

10. Kuun / Hodgson (VW)

Original article from Car