Gabriel, the premier shock absorber brand of Control Instruments-Automotive, is sponsoring an all-night 4×4 competition in Cape Town.
The “Gabriel Beast Night Challenge” event starts at sunset this Saturday the 3rd August and finishes around 8am the following morning. It covers approximately 250 Km in the Western Cape with 31 stages where drivers and navigators complete overlanding activities.
The route is not revealed until the start of the race. Competitors, ranging from 18 years to 75 years, are awarded points by marshalls along a route.
This is the 15th event organised since 2002 and entries are capped at 40 vehicles.
“The event has been designed so that the driver and navigator’s ability determine the winner and not the ability of the vehicle. As overlanding events, they include repairing punctures and navigation,” said Greg van der Reis, organiser of the event.
“2013 has started with gusto as the event was fully subscribed in 10 days with a substantial waiting list. This year has also seen great enthusiasm from the marshall teams and have obtained applications from 30 volunteers to be marshals,”
“Each year the event is held at a different venue and once again the 2013 venue will test the driver and navigator to their limits.”
“We appreciate Gabriel as a sponsor with their locally designed and manufactured HDP 4×4 shocks which are recognised for their quality and reliability,” said Mr van der Reis.
The Gabriel shock absorber range covers passanger, LDV and 4×4 vehicles. Gabriel shocks are locally designed and manufactured by Gabriel and specifically tailored to meet SA’a harsh road conditions.
“The Gabriel brand has always been about the entire value proposition to customers. Shock absorbers play a key role in the vehicle’s safety and road handling. The training provides an understanding of what makes Gabriel the leading shock absorber brand in SA, its design, and how to select the correct shock from the comprehensive range,” said Sean Staley, Control Instruments-Automotive divisional head – Drive Control.
One of the latest initiatives undertaken in response to customer demand is providing a suspension tester solution to the market. Gabriel’s marketing and engineering staff identified and validated a suspension tester manufactured by Actia Muller, which was adopted for the local market by Gabriel and now operational at fitment centres countrywide.
Last month Gabriel achieved the top position in the shock absorber category in research conducted by Target Group Index (TGI). A new strap line has also been launched, selecting words that reflect the ethos of the brand and the people working for the brand.
About Gabriel:
Gabriel is a division of Control Instruments Automotive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the JSE listed Control Instruments Group. Control Instruments Automotive holds the manufacturing and distribution rights to the Gabriel range of shocks, struts and cartridge products for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Gabriel is now in its 77th year in South Africa. The company manufactures shock absorbers for most vehicles.
Gabriel was originally imported into SA in 1935. During that time, the company has introduced a number of world-first designs that were subsequently manufactured in plants worldwide. It was also the first shock absorber company to advertise on TV.
Also view:
Shock Absorbers and Safe Driving