Carolin to take sabbatical

CAROLIN TAKES A SABBATICAL FROM NATIONAL OFF ROAD RACING

Multiple South African off road racing champion Buks Carolin is to take a sabbatical from the sport - with immediate effect.

Carolin's decision brings to an end his partnership with driver Atang Makgekgenene with whom he won the South African championship last year. The versatile Carolin, who has also been a mentor to rising stars like Shameer Variawa and Makgekgenene, has won six national titles in a career spanning three decades - three as a driver and three as a co-driver.

"At the moment pressure of work makes it impossible for me to continue competing at national level," said Carolin. "I have a company to run and as much as I would like to continue racing, my livelihood must come first and I have decided to call it a day."

The lure of racing, however, may be too strong for Carolin to resist. An ageing Raceco that has been gathering cobwebs in his garage may be "dusted off" and raced in regional championship events next year.

"Bringing the Raceco out of retirement will be merely to blow off steam," said Carolin. "On the national front it would take a really good offer to drive for a factory team to make me consider racing again at that level.

"My door will always be open to young drivers and co-drivers looking for some input from an old codger, but that will simply be to repay the sport for all the success and enjoyment that has come my way."

-cf-