|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
PRESS RELEASE: April 2009 |
|
 |
Home
Track Advantage
|
| |
Saturday 18 April will see the Goldwagen Challenge
brigade head for the familiar confines of the
Zwartkops Raceway outside of Pretoria for the second
round of the 2009 Pro Tour Road Show.
With more than forty entries expected, this popular
tin top formula will once again field the biggest
entry of all of the participating formulas. If the
first race of the year is anything to go by, race
fans can expect a few surprise results and plenty of
racing action.
It is still early in the season but a few
individuals have already announced their intentions
for the year ahead. Lee Thompson (Gallardo IT /
Interfile Golf I) threw the gauntlet down to the
rest of the Class A competitors in Cape Town. A lot
of homework has been done by his peers since then
and the racing looks set to be electrifying with no
less than seventeen drivers in the class. |
| |
|
| |
 |
| |
Picture courtesy of:
www.racetrackpics.co.za |
| |
A familiar sight through turn one at Zwartkops |
| |
2007 Class B Champion Craig Marais (Giulio Sabbatini
Auto Stylists Golf I), looks set to make his return
to racing in the rough and tumble of Class A. Other
favourites capable of topping the leader board
include Ray Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants Golf II),
Wayne Masters (Jonnesway / Elite Autobody Golf 4),
George Economides (Wealth Avenue Golf I) and Waldie
Meintjes (Albatros Motors Polo Hatch).
Class B will also be watched with much interest as
the young guns go head to head against some of their
more experienced opponents. Eben Rothman (Freddie’s
Autospares / Fram Golf I) was the man to beat last
time out, but looks set to have his work cut out for
him as eleven other drivers are all intent on taking
their first win of the season.
Dean Lester (Lester Properties Golf I) showed much
promise in Cape Town but was plagued with electrical
problems which put paid to any chance he had of a
good result. Quinton Needham (Ultravision /
Thrashcorp Golf I) and Greg Gosman (Marty’s Body &
Spray Golf I) showed promise as well with the
experience of Peter Thompson (Thompson’s Volkswagen
Golf II) always a big threat to the youngsters.
Class P was extremely close at the first round and
defending class champion Jakes Jacobs (Brooklyn
Panelbeaters Polo) is not going to have things all
his own way. Ryan Tholet (Prend Properties Polo
Hatch) announced his intentions for the season by
sharing the honours with Jacobs in Cape Town.
Clayton Le Roux (Martin Le Roux Motors / Paintcor
Polo) always performs well while Wouter Roos
(Performance Laboratories Polo) continues to show
promise. The rest of the field can’t be counted out
and close racing is expected throughout.
Class C will be watched with much interest as they
field their biggest entry in many years. A mix of
youth and experience and a dash of feminine
determination are bound to have sparks flying. Elna
Croeser (Giulio Sabbatini Auto Stylists Golf I) will
have a good fight on her hands as the men (and boys)
look intent on dethroning the defending class
champion.
Deon van der Watt (Infraset / Truss Pty Ltd Golf I)
has a wealth of experience with young Giles Darroch
(Golf I) always a strong contender. Two new comers
are set to make their race debuts and will be
watched with much interest. Rally Navigator Elvene
Coetzee (Accolade / Venditor / MFC Golf I), will
bring an extra dose of feminine flair to the class
while Junior Max karter Charl Smalberger (Golf 1) is
set to make his main circuit debut at the tender age
of fourteen! This will make him the youngest ever
competitor in the history of VW Challenge.
Although the individual class honours will be up for
grabs, the honour of being the Overall Goldwagen
Challenge Champion will also be the goal for many a
driver. Thompson currently sits at the top of the
leader board, three points ahead of Rothman with
Needham a further six points behind in third place.
The success of this formula would not be possible
without Series sponsors like Goldwagen, Wynns, SS
Telecoms, Sabertek, Norbrake, Eduardo Construction,
Rapid Motion, Speed & Sound Magazine and of course
the entire team who have made the Pro Tour the
success that it turned out to be over the last
couple of years. |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Report by Greg Reilly:
greg@vwchallenge.co.za
Website:
www.vwchallenge.co.za |
| |
|
| |
- return - |
| |
|
|
|
