VW Amarok is the new Spirit of Africa

Volkswagen SA has signed an agreement with Sarel van der Merwe, the founder of the competition, to be the main sponsor of this year's tough off-road competition.

Graeme Birch, marketing manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: "Volkswagen is proud to be associated with Sarel van der Merwe through the Spirit of Africa competition. Sarel has a long and proud history with Volkswagen dating back to his rallying days. We are glad that the launch of the Amarok has enabled us to rekindle our relationship with him.

Off-road capabilities means more difficult exercises

Spirit of Africa is regarded by many aficionados the premier 4X4 competition in South Africa and VW regards it as an ideal environment to showcase the vehicle and to prove its off road capabilities.

Sarel van der Merwe said: "I am happy to be associated with a product like Amarok which impressed me from the start. Amarok's off road capabilities will enable us to make some exercises even more difficult than in previous years. I am positive that the contestants will experience the same admiration for the vehicle and will have a thrilling time during the 2010 Spirit of Africa competition."

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will supply the Spirit of Africa competition with 23 Amaroks.

On show at the show

The elimination rounds of the competition will commence in August 2010 and finals will take place in November 2010.

The new Volkswagen Amarok will be premiered at the Nampo Harvest Day in Bothaville, North West on 18-21 May 2010.

Nampo is the largest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere and nearly 60 000 people visit the show over four days.

Visitors to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles' stand 144 will have an opportunity to meet Sarel van der Merwe, who is the Brand Ambassador of the Amarok.

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Sarel will take some lucky visitors to the stand onto the off road course to experience off road capabilities of the Amarok.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will also display one of the Amaroks that was used as an escort vehicle during the Dakar Rally earlier this year. The vehicle is fully kitted with off-road accessories.

The Volkswagen Amarok double cab will be officially launched locally in the third quarter of 2010 and the single cab will be launched in the first quarter of 2011.