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PRESS RELEASE: 25 JULY 2009 |
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Arena
Showdown |
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Saturday 25 July will
see the Goldwagen Challenge brigade head for the
familiar confines of the Zwartkops Raceway outside
of Pretoria for the fifth round of the 2009 Pro Tour
Road Show.
With more than fifty entries expected for the race
this popular tin top formula will once again field
the biggest entry of all of the participating Pro
Tour formulas. With the halfway mark of the season
now reached, the point’s situation in the various
Classes has become rather interesting. |
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Class A
The battle for the Class A title has turned into a
two horse race at this point in the season. Lee
Thompson (Gallardo IT / Interfile Golf I) has built
up a healthy twenty point lead over Wayne Masters (Jonnesway
/ Elite Autobody Golf 4). George Economides (Wealth
Avenue Golf I) is thirty points behind Masters with
Ray Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants Golf II) a further
nine points behind him.
Quentin Thompson (Thompson’s Volkswagen Golf I) has
had some bad luck of late and finds himself four
points behind Wilford. Waldie Meintjes (Albatros
Motors Polo Hatch) is still in with a shot and is
only four points behind him. A number of other
drivers have also put in some strong performances of
late and any one of them could surprise the front
runners.
Class B
The Class B title chase has been thrown wide open
after a number of competitors weren’t able to score
points after the carnage at the previous race at
Phakisa. Eben Rothman (Freddie’s Autospares / Fram
Golf I) still sits at the top of the points table
but his lead has been cut down to a mere two points
ahead of young gun Dean Lester (Lester Properties
Golf I). Greg Gosman (Marty’s Body & Spray Golf I)
has moved up to third place and is only three points
behind Lester.
Quinton Needham (Ultravision / Thrashcorp Golf I)
had more than his fair share of bad luck at the
previous round but is still only four points behind
Gosman. Peter Thompson (Thompson’s Volkswagen Golf
II) is a further ten points behind them and will
need to use all of his experience to keep Derek
Minnie (Demac Auto Golf II) and the rest of the
Class B field behind him.
Class P
The Class P battle looks set to be another year of
Jacobs domination. Defending Class P champion Jakes
Jacobs (Brooklyn Panelbeaters Polo Classic) has
built up a comfortable twenty five point lead over
Ryan Tholet (Prend Properties Polo Hatch). Tholet
has shown moments of brilliance throughout the year
and if his starts don’t let him down he could be a
serious contender for top honours at Zwartkops.
Production Car racer Peet Visagie (Time Mining Polo
Hatch) has put in a few consistent performances of
late and finds himself seven points behind Tholet in
third position.
Wouter Roos (Performance Laboratories Polo Classic)
continues to get better with every race and finds
himself a further seven points behind his team mate.
Clayton Le Roux (Martin Le Roux Motors / Paintcor
Polo Classic) has a lot of work ahead of him after
missing the previous round but is more than capable
of running at the front of the field. Barry
Groenewald (Custom Technologies Polo Classic)
continues to improve with every race and is only two
points behind Le Roux. Newcomer JP van der Walt
(Nathans Motorsport Polo Classic) surprised all in
his debut race at Phakisa and has proved capable of
challenging for a podium position.
Class C
The Class C contingent continues to grow and they
are expected to field one of their biggest entries
of the year at Zwartkops. Deon van der Watt (Infraset
/ Truss Pty Ltd Golf I) has used his consistency and
experience to build up a healthy fifteen point lead
over defending Class C Champion Elna Croeser (Giulio
Sabbatini Auto Stylists Golf I). Jannie van Rooyen
Snr. (Goldwagen Roodepoort) has announced his
intentions for the title as well and is tied for
second place with the “Femme Fatale”.
Giles Darroch (PMT Civils Golf I) has put in some
great performances of late and if his luck holds out
he will be a serious contender for a podium position
at this race. Fifteen year old karter Charl
Smalberger (Sabertek Golf 1) is the youngest
competitor in the field. He is expected to go up
against female Rally Navigator Elvene Coetzee
(Accolade / Venditor / MFC Golf I) with the pair
being separated by a solitary point. A number of new
competitors are also expected to make their race
debuts and they will also be watched with much
interest.
Overall
Although the various class titles are still very
much up for grabs, the prestige of being the Overall
Goldwagen Challenge Champion will also be in the
minds of many a driver. Lee Thompson currently leads
the points table with Masters and Class P leader
Jacobs tied for second. Although moving up to Class
A at the previous race, Kieren Quarmby’s (Gallardo
IT / Interfile Golf I) class B points still place
him in fourth place in the Overall standings.
Rothman is a further five points behind Quarmby with
Lester a mere two points behind him. The racing
season is far from over and the action at Zwartkops
promises to be an explosive affair as always.
Our loyal and dedicated sponsors continue to support
this winning formula - Goldwagen, Wynns, SS
Telecoms, Sabertek, Norbrake, Eduardo Construction,
Time Mining, Rapid Motion, Speed & Sound Magazine –
without them and the dedicated Pro Tour team, the
continued success of this premier Road Show would
not be possible. |
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Report by Greg Reilly:
greg@vwchallenge.co.za
Website:
www.vwchallenge.co.za |
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