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In a short space of just 15 months, the Pro Tour racing program has become a focused event on the South African Motor Racing Calendar.

Zwartkops International World of Motoring, its supporters, public and shareholders extends a big welcome to all the competitors, personnel, and sponsors of the Execuline Motor Underwriting Management Pro Tour program.

Today’s event embraces an almost complete package of Circuit Motor Racing from Super Bikes, the Younger Generation of Single Seaters, to the mighty big Sports Racing Cars, Exotic GT Cars, some of which were a mere pipe dream a few years ago, and the super competitive Golf Challenge.

This is exciting motor racing and holds interest for everybody competing. Zwartkops’ strategic focus is Participative Motorsport – by definition being men and women who go competitive motor racing and who mostly compete in the sport as private individuals not professionals.

This is what the Pro Tour is all about, and because it is not professional racers, but people who rise to the challenge, the racing is very competitive and rises above the spirit of the occasion. Zwartkops welcomes this and thanks Execuline Motor Underwriting Managers for making this event possible.

On behalf of Zwartkops Management and staff, we wish you a great day at the Big Z.

Please make full use of our facilities and visit the paddock area, which has some very interesting cars on display including the prototype Masters Mustang V8’s of Owen Ashley, which will be racing next year. Some fortunate members of the public will also be invited to participate in the “Taxi” rides at lunchtime in Porsches, Ferraris and the Masters Mustang.


Join in the fun.


ZWARTKOPS EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

______________________________________________

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In association with our host - Zwartkops International World of Motoring and our day sponsor Execuline, the Pro Tour extends a warm welcome to all race fans, officials, sponsors and competitors.

The resoundingly successful Pro Tour race days held country wide in 2007 led to expanding the reach of the Pro Tour to include events hosted in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, making the 2008 Pro Tour a ten round National Circuit Racing Tour.

Today is Round 5 of the 2008 Pro Tour Racing Series and is the first of two scheduled visits to Zwartkops for the 2008 season.

At this mid year stage, every championship contest is still wide open and the competitors are all eagerly lining up every opportunity to stake a claim for the various championship titles.

Today’s Pro Tour Race Day is set to provide unprecedented action as National, National Challenge, Regional and Club championships are hotly contested by a field of eager to win competitors

In a relaxed but competitive atmosphere of fun and excitement, Pro Tour has solidly entrenched the principles of recognition, equality, co-operation, and good sportsmanship into our race day formulation. This has resulted in the 2008 season already yielding many highlights, with unbelievably good racing and unprecedented dedication to “making things work” - the net result being an awesome day of racing for everybody.

Pro Tour’s highly rated, comprehensive and hugely popular website located at www.pro-tour.co.za features some of the best photographic galleries of motorsport related images available and definitely must be visited.

The next Pro Tour event takes place at the famous East London Grand Prix circuit on the 12th of July and Pro Tour then returns inland to the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit for the 7th round of the Pro Tour on the 2nd of August. Please be sure to diarise these dates and join us for an action packed day’s racing.

Our sincere thanks are extended to the management, officials, medics and marshals from Zwartkops for hosting today’s event and to the category sponsors of Execuline Shelby Can Am, Investchem Formula Ford, Altech Porsche Challenge, Altech Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup and the Formula Vee Association and Competitors.

The Pro Tour management and officials wish all of our drivers and riders a successful and competitive race day whilst providing the action for our audience.

~ Pro Tour Management Team ~ Neil Lobb, Lindsay Steyn, Allen Meyer, Ken Rolfe, Francois Pretorius, Trevor Elske, Louis van Bergen, Jannie Geyser, Kevin Jenkins, Waldie Meintjes, Andre ten Napel, Sena Liguori, Andrew Eva, Jimi Smith, Eldrid Diedericks.

The Execuline Shelby Can-Am championship is wide open and it’s anyone’s guess as to who will win at Zwartkops, a circuit known to produce close racing and a circuit that put great emphasis on qualifying results.

Sitting on top of the table is Plettenberg Bay’s Chris Hart (Hi-Q Plettenberg Bay) but only two points adrift is the wily old fox Rui Campos (Hugo Boss). Campos has three wins to his credit while Hart has only won twice, but been more consistent.

Next up is Brian Algar in the Firedart entry. He hasn’t won a race yet, but remains one of the few drivers to have scored points in every race. His biggest threat comes from veteran racer Alan Eve in the other Hugo Boss entry who is only five points behind.

Former VW Polo racer Guy Botterill (FragramTools) scored his first win at Killarney in impressive style. He’s quickly got used to the extra power and grip offered by these slick shod sportscars and has been at the sharp end of the field ever since his eye-opening debut at round two in Port Elizabeth.

Dave Beattie lies fifth in the points race. With support from DURA, part of the Soletanche Bachy Group, he is determined to make up ground after a very good start to the year.

After battling with a down on power motor for most of the season, Jennifer Murray (Execuline) arrived in Cape Town with a full quota of horses and had a brilliant day challenging for the lead. She now lies seventh in the championship standings and is itching to regain lost ground.

Tied on points for eighth place are former Porsche 924 racer Sean Greve (Vulcania Reinforcing) and Durban based Bryant van der Merwe (Chemspec), who has surprised many with his pace and clever racecraft in his first season of racing.

Former Porsche Unlimited racer Thomas Reib (Intertrans) has also opened a few eyes since the start of the season and he’s regarded as a Zwartkops specialist having raced some wicked Porsches at the tricky little circuit. Not far behind him is the ever enthusiastic Sun Moodley (Bigfoot Express) who also joined the series at the start of the season.

Colin Frost (Strocam) is a staunch sportscar supporter and is capable of mixing it in the top ten thanks to a wealth of experience and a never say die attitude. Another new driver improving all the time is financial guru Hanno Pengilly. This is his first season of racing, but business pressures have often upset his rhythm. Craig Shorter (Execuline) has also had to miss a few events, but he could be a good bet for a top six finish. Like Frost, Richard Wood has been in the series since its inception and before that when it was the Opel powered Sports 2000 championship. He’s also a reliable finisher capable of mixing it in the top ten.

Featuring very strong space-frame chassis these sleek bodied sportscars are powered by Nissan’s bulletproof 3.5 litre V6 powerplant which has been tuned to deliver around 225kW and a healthy 370Nm of torque. Drive is taken care of via a unique four speed Weisman gearbox which was specially designed for these Carroll Shelby penned cars. Weighing in at 900 kg they reach speeds of up to 280 km/h at East London, which is South Africa’s fastest circuit and next stop on the Pro-Tour.

Of course, keeping everything stuck to the tarmac is the latest in racing tyre technology from Goodyear.

Execuline Shelby Can-Am Racing is supported by Hollard, Spanjaard Ltd, Carrera eye wear, British International and Goodyear.

4 - Rui Campos
5 - Alan Eve

6 - Brian Algar
7 - Sean Greve

9 - Colin Frost
10 Chris Hart

Team Execuline
14 - Jennifer Murray
40 - Craig Shorter

17 - Richard Wood
27 - Bertil Hoffman

30 - Thomas Reib
31 - Sun Moodley

32 - Bryant van der Merwe
33 - Hanno Pengilly

59 - Guy Botterill
88 - Dave Beattie

SA Scrutineers

Afgro Workshop

Around the world Formula Ford is regarded as THE driver’s single seater class. It is a category for the purists. There are no wings to mask set-up deficiencies or big fat tyres providing copious amounts of grip.

Tyres are also slicks, but relatively narrow and grip is all mechanical built up by a close bond between driver and race engineer. It is the ‘schooling’ class and has survived as such for over four decades.

Although Nicholas van Weely in the Magnificent Paints Van Diemen currently holds a narrow eight point championship lead having won 3 of the six races held to date, a non-finish when leading in Port Elizabeth cost him ten valuable points and has kept the championship wide open.

Zimbabwean Gerard Peters (Petro-Oil Zim Mygale) lies second and has been impressive in what is only his second season of circuit racing. He’s proved that he’s got the pace to win, but his performances have also been a little erratic at times.

Last year’s Zetec Challenge winner, Werner Scholtz scored a deserved win at Port Elizabeth in the Motorvia Van Diemen and holds third. Only one point behind is Bloemfontein’s Pieter Norval in the Investchem Mygale. Norval has battled to find a set-up he’s confident with but has shown he’s got the pace to run at the front when he’s happy with the car.

Former Formula Ford champion Robert Wolk returned to the Investchem Formula Ford championship for round three at Kyalami and went home safe in the knowledge that he will be a contender for the title. Driving the Chemical Logistics Mygale the 2005 champion scored two dominant wins and is looking to do the same at Zwartkops.

After his impressive Kyalami outing Wolk holds fifth in the championship race, one point ahead of Mathew Merton (Matsam Supplies Mygale). A spin here and there and a mechanical problem have hampered Merton’s chances, but the East Rand driver hasn’t lost any determination and having claimed his first pole position in Cape Town, he’s itching to get his hands on the winner’s trophy.

Regarded as a Zwartkops specialist, Jody Robertson who will be out in the P&P Mygale. He joined the series at the last Kyalami race where he impressed. Gordon Walker (Van Diemen) will be back in action, having missed a few races after a hefty crash and Tony Mellows (Summit Trucking Van Diemen) also returns to the fray.

The Zetec Challenge caters for cars on harder compound Avon ACB10 tyres and British Formula Ford legend Rick Morris (Investchem Mygale) leads from Allen Meyer (Les Donnees Mygale) with Andreas Petrou (Chemical Logistics Mygale) in third ahead of Paul Schultz (P&P Van Diemen) who won last time out at Kyalami.

For four decades Formula Ford racing has produced champions of the future and the crop of hungry drivers racing today are tomorrow’s stars.

Investchem Formula Ford Competitors List

Formula Vee Title Battle Moves to Zwartkops


Today, the Zwartkops Raceway east of Pretoria, hosts round five of the popular Pro Tour Series, with a full day of Single Seater, Sports Car, Exotic Car, Saloon Car, Motorcycle and Historic Car racing, offering a dynamic, diversified program, to suit all tastes. A full program of eighteen races, kicks off at ten thirty, with events for Execuline Shelby Can Am sports cars, Investchem Formula Ford Zetec and Formula Vee single seaters, the exotic Altech Porsche Unlimited Challenge, which should include no less than seven, of the fabulous sounding Ferrari Cup cars, the Altech Porsche 924 Handicap races, the Goldwagen VW Challenge saloon cars, with separate races for Classes A and P and Classes B and C, a full field of Altech Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup bikes and the pre 1972 Trans-am cars, making a guest appearance at this event, which is being sponsored by Execuline.

Race fans can once again expect plenty of close action packed racing, in both Formula Vee heats. Heading the lineup is three times South African National Formula Vee Champion Alan Holm (No1 Lasersprint Rhema 2). After missing the Kyalami event in April, due to clash with the South African Iron Man competition, Holm is now playing catch up, in the race for the 2008 Formula Vee National Title but took a big bite out of log leader Peter Hills (No.3 Rigidec MLS Brokers Rhema 2) points advantage, at the recent Cape Town event, after Hills was penalized thirty seconds, for a jump start in the second heat. These two will however, not have things their own way at Zwartkops. Dennis Johns (No.2 Geyser Attorneys Rhema 2) will be looking for his first win of the year, while the young Cape Town based development driver Courtney Steenveld (No.8 Indy Oil Rhema 2) will be hoping to repeat his outstanding performance, at the recent Cape Town event, where he became the first Formula Vee development driver, to lead a National Formula Vee event and finish in the top three, after he finished second overall, for the day.

Not far behind and hoping to get in on the action, at the head of the field, should be the likes of Symm Grobler (No.4 Auto Mecca Rhema 2), Jaco Schriks (No5 Lasersprint Rhema 2), Trevor Bland (No6 Office Direct Rhema 2), the second of the current development drivers, Zaahir Essa (No71 NLDTF Rhema 1) and Johan Gouws (No.27 Mantis). Making his first appearance this year, should be Association Chairman Jannie Geyser Snr, after a comprehensive rebuild and upgrade, of his Geyser Attorneys Vision.

In a typical Formula Vee field, close multi car battles rage on, all the way down the field and the likes of, Gareth Jackson (No.15 Lasersprint Rhema 2), Doug MacDonald (No18 Fantastic Racing Rhema 1), Ben Pienaar (No101 BJ Pro Welding Rhema 2), Jannie Geyser Jnr (No.63 Geyser Attorneys Rhema 2), Andre Van Der Merwe (No.51 Atlas Dry Cleaners Lantis), Alan Eustice (No.77 Execuline Rhema 2), Nico Blignaut (No.23 Gilus IT SAP Rhema 2), Nicholas Tennant (No.34
Tennant Benefit Consultants Tasman), Andrei Overbeek (No.78 Omega), Chandre Kruger (No41 Gilus IT SAP Sting) and James Evans (No.30 Gilus IT SAP Tasman) can all be counted on, to give of their best on the day.

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Driver Profile
1 Alan Holm

Alan Holm started in motorsport in his teens, participating in Moto Cross.  His discipline and determination came through and resulted in him finishing  3rd in SA  Junior Motocross in 1992 and 3rd in SA Supercross in 1993.
 
After figuring out that what goes up must come down, Alan swopped his skyward ambitions for a more rooted approach and joined the Formula Vee Championship in 1994 where he enjoyed limited success in dated equipment.
Although Alan Holm paid his schooling fees in the midfield initially, but he was not destined to stay in the gaggle for much longer and his fortunes took a turn for the better after he acquired the ex-Anthony Taylor Rhema 1.  The first fruits of the new partnership was finishing second in the championship.

In 2004 the Lasersprint team decided to build to identical Rhema 2 cars, eliminating having to carry two pairs of spares.  The result of the efforts is one of the most professional run racing teams in South African formula Vee history and it is crystal clear that Mr. Shricks takes great pride in the team.  In 2005 the Lasersprint team was singled out as having the best prepared cars on the grid. Team mates Alan and Jaco Shricks were immediately competitive and although there were many reliability issues with the new cars as well as setup work to be done Alan finished in second position behind Symm Grobler of Pretoria in the 2004 Championship.

In 2005 Alan won his first South African formula Vee Championship in a nail biting year long battle with Symm Grobler, beating Symm in the last race of the season at East London to take the Championship. From then on it seemed as if nothing would stop Alan as he clinched the 2006 championship in dominating style winning 16 out of 20 races. In 2007 he won 12 out of 16 races, becoming only the second driver to win the Formula Vee Championship three times.  What makes the feat even more incredible is that Gawie Gouws did it in three different decades.  In a championship that is known for its close racing and competitiveness it is surely a remarkable feat.

Alan is not a person that knows how to give up, and his tenacious personality combined with a super smooth and almost “understated” driving style makes him extremely competitive.  No matter the pace of the opposition, or where he qualified it is a sure fact, Alan Holm will be a main player in every race.

Geyser Racing was born on the Slot racing tracks of Pretoria in the late 60’s. Although no formal record of achievements can be found, the remnants of this scaled down time is packed away in boxes in a room behind a garage with 2 Formula Vee’s.

The real racing started in 1994, when Jannie Snr acquired a Class D Formula M for R3000. Geyser Racing cut its teeth in the friendly Formula M family setting, moving up the ranks with Snr ending up in Class A and Jnr Class B, but after 4 years wanted to do something together, and moved up into Sports 2000.

Jannie Jnr campaigned the car in 1998 but after the class was replaced by VSP’s and Jnr went away to study and Snr was trying to find something else and stumbled upon Formula Vee. Lee Thomson’s old Vision became the Geyser Racing centerpiece, and in time Jannie Snr went into partnership with the “Uber” practical Oom Balie and the meticulous Oom Mike. In 2007 after injuring his foot Jannie Jnr joined the team in the Rhema 2.

Geyser Racing is running two cars and work in collaboration
with Dennis Johns and cannot think of a world without Vee’s.

7 Alan Eustice

Competitors list

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Drivers Profile

2 Dennis Johns

Dennis Johns has been involved with Formula Vee since November 1995 and raced a Lazer (built by Dennis and his dad, Donald) from then to 2002. In that time the Welkom based team grew in stature every year earning Dennis his first win in 1997. Dennis finished 3rd in 1998, second in 1999 and was the first Formula Vee champion of the new Millennium. Dennis decided to put a new car together for the 2003 championship and build his current Rhema 2. That same year he finished a close second after only competing in half of the season. In 2007 after a excellent second half Dennis finished the season in second position, and worked hard in the off season for an all out attack on the 2008 season.

The 2008 season thus far has been dramatic, if not as successful as Dennis had hoped since he has been plagued by some of the most bizarre reliability issues. People who know the tenacious nature of Dennis Johns, know that at this midway point, the season can still be turned around, and he is looking for that to happen here at Zwartkops.

Dennis has a very smooth driving style and has the ability to carry in lots of speed into the apex, managing to maintain that momentum. He is almost unbeatable at his home track at Welkom, relishing in the sweeping nature of the track and is just as fast at Kyalami.

Made in Germany:
The Porsche Success Story

60 years of the sports car – a small company becomes the most profitable automobile manufacturer

Stuttgart. Porsche celebrates its anniversary. Exactly 60 years ago the cornerstone was laid for the family-operated industrial company, whose rise from modest beginnings to become one of the most important sports car manufacturers in the world no one back then would have ever foreseen.

On June 8, 1948 a new chapter in automobile history began. For on this day, the first Porsche prototype with the vehicle identification number 356-001 received its official approval and homologation for road service. “It all started when I began looking around and just could not find my dream car. So I decided to build it myself”, said Ferry Porsche – and to this day, this genius and pioneering spirit has shaped the philosophy of the company.

However, in the past six decades, Porsche has not only experienced peaks, but also troughs. Yet thanks to efficient production methods, clear branding and innovative models, such as the 356 and the 911, Boxster and the Cayenne, the once small sports car specialist quickly transformed into one of the most successful and profitable automobile manufacturers in the world.

When Wiedeking took over management in 1992, Porsche had reached the peak of its most serious economic crisis ever. The company was in danger of losing its most valuable asset - its independence. Porsche was suddenly ripe for takeover. The situation had to be handled immediately. And the shareholder families Porsche and Piëch told the Board that they would lend their support.

Wiedeking and his Board colleagues not only had the Boxster produced, but also brought about the company's turn-around through other economic measures. Under the generic terms “lean management” and “lean production”, new organizational and production workflows were introduced and the company's hierarchy and process structures were reorganized from top to bottom. It did not take long for the internal efforts to improve productivity and the newly developed model line to have a positive impact. As early as 1995, Porsche was back in the black and began to assume a leading position by breaking new revenue, sales and earnings records annually.

Not only the balance sheet, but also the reputation of the Porsche brand reflects the company's exceptional position. For the fifth time in a row, top German managers from all industries selected Porsche AG as the company with the best image in a survey from “manager magazine”. The prestigious quality study “Initial Quality Study” of the American research institute J.D. Power ranked Porsche in first place for the second time. And the J.D. Power “Appeal” Study confirmed that the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer had, for the third time

in a row, been ranked by American customers as the most appealing brand.

Over these 60 years, Porsche has worked very hard to achieve this special image, mainly through its most varied innovations and also, in particular, in the area of environmental protection. Porsche engineers are never satisfied with only meeting current environmental regulations passed by lawmakers. It has always been their goal to exceed them. Porsche vehicles should also set an example when it comes to environmental protection. So, as early as 1966, the first authorized emissions test in Europe was performed using a 911. Not long after, a separate department was established that also tested the emission values from vehicles produced by other manufacturers.

Porsche develops new technologies not just to improve driving features, but also to continuously optimize the cars for environmental sustainability. In the last 15 years, Porsche has succeeded in reducing the fuel consumption in its new cars, and thereby also CO2 emissions, by an average of 1.7 percent annually. With regard to engine performance, Porsche currently already ranks among manufacturers with the lowest CO2 emissions. And by 2012, the fuel consumption in Porsche vehicles is going to be reduced by a further 20 percent - new innovative engine technologies and the hybrid drive for the Cayenne and Panamera will make this possible.

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder once said: “Porsche is a model for Germany.” By this, he was not only referring the company's engineering ingenuity which the company stands for, hhe also meant the David principle with which Porsche, as a small automobile manufacturer, has been able to keep up with the Goliaths of its industry over the last 60 years. With the quality seal “Made in Germany”, its rejection of subsidies as well as its sense of social responsibility toward its employees and society, Porsche has unflinchingly pursued its own path.

This includes Porsche's step toward a new future in September 2005: its majority holding in Volkswagen AG. With almost 31 percent of the voting share capital, Porsche is now the largest shareholder in VW. During the course of this year, its share will be increased to over 50 percent.

The goal of this path is clear: Under the umbrella of Porsche Automobil Holding SE, not only will growth for Porsche and Volkswagen be ensured thanks to their proven development and production partnership over the decades, but also the independence of both companies. And the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking promises that in the anniversary year of the Porsche sports car: “Porsche will remain Porsche in the future. Just as Volkswagen will remain Volkswagen. That is the recipe for success.”

Altech Porsche Unlimited


Zwartkops has a unique friendly atmosphere. It is one of the few circuits where there seem to be as many spectators in the pits as there are on the stands.

With the Altech Porsche Unlimited class being one of the highlights of the day and having some mouth watering machinery on display, it isn’t really surprising that race fans enjoy getting close to the cars.

Ask any top-line driver what the most difficult thing about racing is and the answer will probably surprise you.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not an ultra-fast corner, but rather it is being able to hustle a high powered car through slow corners that represents more of a challenge. The legendary Sarel van der Merwe once said fast corners were easy “because you don’t need to brake.” Many champions will agree that being in full control of a car whilst braking is just as much of an art as putting the power down without losing time on the exit.

Toby Venter is unbeaten so far this year and his 911 GT2 R is scary fast at Zwartkops when driven with nothing less than brutal authority. As far as the championship goes, he only has a two point advantage over class D contender Rolf Schlub (Porsche 911 RSC) with Lindsay Robertson in third place and leading class C in his 996 GT3 Cup. Fourth is the classic 944 turbo Cup driven with determination by Barry Nel.

Next up is the beautiful sounding Forza Racing entered Ferrari 360 of Oscar De Oliviera and completing the top six is Dave Fourie in his well prepared 911 RSR.

Altech Porsche 924 Challenge






Run to a handicap format, the Altech Porsche 924 Challenge is the ideal entry into the exciting world of motor racing.

The tight confines of Zwartkops also present a unique challenge for front-runners in the Altech 924 Challenge.

Unlike the more common mass start races, this is a handicap race where the slowest cars start first and in theory the whole field should finish in a dead heat. In other words, it favours the more consistent drivers. It sounds as though it could be easy to cheat by qualifying slower than one’s usual pace, but the handicappers have been around for a while and it is tightly controlled.

The fact that Zwartkops is known as a track where overtaking is difficult makes it much harder for the faster drivers to win. “You really have to plan your overtaking well in advance and be extremely decisive or you’ll lose time,” say’s reigning champion Piet Nortje who drives the car that motorsport journalist Steve Wicks used to win the Porsche Challenge race at the official opening of Zwartkops.

On top of the points log is Johan Grobler with a 12-point advantage over ‘Dr’ Braam van Niekerk who has Dave Parratt breathing down his neck with Marius Wait and Mark Harvey putting on the pressure. Rounding off the top six is David Dunsford-White.
Expect a big field and heaps of action!
There’s also a very strong possibility that two of the newer Ferrari F430 models will be on the grid. Both are from the Forza Racing stable, but drivers hadn’t been announced at the time of writing.

The classic front engined V12 Ferrari 250 LM of Paolo Cavalieri is confirmed as is the Porsche 956 of Franz Pretorius. This car has seen action at Le Mans but spent most of its competition life racing the Japanese championship. Previously at Zwartkops it has given Venter’s Porsche a good run even though it’s more suited to circuits where its 380km/h top speed can be utilised.

Other probable entries with a Le Man’s heritage are two of the superbly crafted Porsche 917 replicas built by Bailey Edwards Cars. One is likely to be driven by Peter Bailey while the other one, in Gulf livery, will have Mike Nel behind the wheel.

Adding more spice to the Porsche pot is the Lotus Exige ST of Wayne Waldeck and the equally nimble Lotus Elise of Charl Joubert.

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Pablo Clark Racing

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Goldwagen Challenge

Saturday 21 June will once again see the battle for the Goldwagen VW Challenge Championship continue when the drivers of this competitive formula, head to Zwartkops Raceway outside of Pretoria for round five of the 2008 Pro Tour Series.

The overall and class championships are extremely close after four rounds and things are still wide open with the various drivers throughout the classes all aiming for the top spot. With four different classes racing on the day and a field of fifty plus entries, race fans are expecting to see plenty of close and exciting action.

Wayne Masters (Jonnesway Golf) and Jason Finney (Gallardo IT Golf) are tied for the lead in the class A championship with Ray Wilford (Fuchs Polo) only two points behind them in third. Defending champion George Economides (Menlyn Gearbox Golf) has moved up to fourth place with Quentin Thompson (Thompson’s Motors Golf) down to fifth. Andy Gosman (Jakes Pallisade Golf) and Waldie Meintjes (Albatros Motors Polo) are tied for sixth place.

The class B battle has changed to a two horse race at the front with Carlos Nobre (Golf) leading Kieren Quarmby (Gallardo IT Golf) by three points. 2007 Rookie of the Year, Chad Bartrum (Corporate Office Concepts Golf) is in a comfortable third place ahead of Gerhard Henning (Robbie’s Auto Golf). A number of other drivers have shown good pace throughout the year and a mix of youth and experience can expect to see the likes of Peter Thompson (Thompson’s Motors Golf), Ian Prinsloo (Venditor Konica Minolta Golf), Derek Minnie (Golf) and Greg Gosman (Golf) mixing it with the leaders.

Although the smallest of the classes, Class C is just as close at the front with defending class champion Mark Gregory (Creative Patterns Golf) tied on points with lady racer Elna Croeser (Golf), while schoolboy Giles Darroch (Golf) is only three points behind in third. Veteran racer George Bath (Golf) is in fourth with another lady racer, Lydia Supra (Venditor Konica Minolta Golf) in fifth place after making her race debut at the previous outing at Kyalami!

Class P for ex – Polo Cup cars has seen some of the closest racing this season. Jakes Jacobs (Nathans Motorsport) comfortably leads the class ahead of Derick Smalberger (Sabertek). Ryan Tholet (Prend Properties) has found great form this year and finds himself in third place only two points ahead of Clayton Le Roux (Martin Le Roux Motors). Other leading contenders in the class include Jonathan Roborg-Sondergaard (Excelsior Panelbeaters), Wouter Roos (Time Mining) and Barry Groenewald (Custom Technologies).

The day will also have a few extra surprises. Lydia Supra (Venditor Konica Minolta Golf) is expected to move up to class B. Another lady racer, Ntombi Masilela (Venditor Konica Minolta Golf) is set to make her long awaited racing debut in class C and the Goldwagen VW Challenge’s very own PR representative, Greg Reilly (Applied Coating Technologies Golf II) is scheduled to make his class A race debut. All three of these drivers are no doubt set to have a “baptism of fire” in the ultra competitive world of Goldwagen VW Challenge racing!

Goldwagen Challenge Competitors

99 - Rick the Racer

Master Blasters Ready to Set Zwartkops Alight




The Altech Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup pilots return to Zwartkops after an absence of nearly a year and are ready and raring to serve up a feast of fast and uncompromising two wheeled action. The series has become a highlight of the programme with two classes taking part, these being Class A with the black race numbers for the “junior” riders between 35 and 45 years of age and Class B with the red race numbers for the elder statesmen over 45 years of age. Both classes have delivered extremely competitive racing with many riders pushing beyond the limits.

Although there have been many incidents this season so far all the top contenders in Class A will line up today. Gavin Lightfoot returns after missing two meetings through an injury sustained in a coming together with Greg Dreyer in Port Elizabeth and he will be looking to pick up as many points as possible. Altech Racing’s Greg Dreyer returned to winning ways in Cape Town with a double win and looks to have his campaign back on track after a string of mishaps. Danie Maritz who came into the series a little later in the season having scored no points in the first two meetings has proven to be extremely fast and has been a front runner from the start and the Wicked Wayne Racing rider could still be a strong championship contender. Not out of the picture and certain to be challenging will be ex National Champion Gavin Ramsay who seems to be coming to terms with his machine and with legendary spanner man Noddy Van Greunen in his corner is all set to challenge for a top spot on the podium. The surprise package of the season has been East London racer Jayson Lamb on the Buffalo Motorcycles machine who has racked up two podium finishes in the first four outings and will going all out to add to his tally.

Other pilots who will be looking to up their games and should fill out the top ten positions overall include Adan Du Plessis who is capable of running with the top boys but has had his share of bad luck this season. Ex Tennis Pro Duane Armstrong, has consistently put in strong performances but will have his work cut out holding off an ever improving “Rick the Racer” Richard Carmody on the menacing looking number 99. Joe Shearer has to be one of the most consistently quick racers in the series and will no doubt add a bagful of points to his kitty. Pieter De Vos on the “Flying Orange” and new boy Royden Bennett both have the pace to run close to the sharp end and will add excitement to an ever improving field of front runners. One of the most entertaining riders to watch is “The Dog Doctor” Stew Christie who has not crashed since the opening Kyalami round and hopefully he can keep this run going and also be in the hunt for a top Ten finish.

Class B will be staging their own battles and these will be no less uncompromising and it looks as if Armand Claasen who runs close to the front overall will keep his perfect record for the season intact and add another double win for the day.

There are a number of other riders who will be challenging for the remaining two podium positions and these should include Nelspruit rider Piet Potgieter who will also be challenging for a top Ten overall position.

Relative newcomer to the series this season is the experienced and very fast Gilbert Parsons on the Emtek Racing machine who after problems in the first round will be looking to consolidate his challenge for honours as will Sarel Marais from Nigel, Trevor Elske on the blue Axeman Racing machine and Pierre Le Roux on the other Buffalo Motorcycles machine.

While most of the attention focuses on the front runners the action further down the field will be just as intense with dicing all the way back to the end of the field where the racing is for honour rather than points. New boy Laurence “Pommie” Carpenter will continue his saga with Witbank racer Sid Farinha and Polish racer Marek Pietkun and hopefully find his way around the first corner this time and not visit the tyre wall as he did in Cape Town.

Which again all adds up to another day of very fast and very furious two wheeled action.

Altech Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup - Competitors

2 - Gavin Lightfoot
25 - Simon Bezhuidenhout

66 Joe Shearer
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Goodyear