Throttle time in the fast lanes at Grand Prix
THE day has finally arrived for East London's motor sport fanatics as the annual South African Extreme Festival National Circuit Racing Championship will be tearing around the EL Grand Prix Circuit today.
Three national championships, two national challenges, one club and one regional challenge will make for a jampacked schedule over an entire day of exciting racing action, that will delight what should be a large and appreciative crowd.
The Sasol Global Touring Car Championship will be the headlining race of the day and fans will be in for a treat with the exhilarating new push to pass system being used for the first time ever, which should lead to some breathtaking passing manoeuvres.
Current series leader Simon Moss and his teammate and double defending champion Michael Stephen in third will be hoping for a good weekend, while second placed Gennaro Bonafede will be looking to challenge them.
Former East Londoner Robert Wolk will also be hoping to impress in front of families and friends, with a host of other drivers also desperate for maximum points.
In the GTC2 class defending champion Keagan Masters will be favourite after a stellar year so far.
He has picked up four victories and a second place finish to hold an eightpoint lead over Signature Motorsport’s Bradley Liebenberg, who himself has enjoyed a solid year with two wins and a runner-up podium to his name.
The Investchem Formula 1600 champs promises to be a fiercely battled race, with a lot up for grabs for this year’s championship winner.
Whoever finishes this year on top will earn a trip to the annual Road to Indy Shootout in the US in December, so plenty will be at stake for the title hopefuls.
Early season leader Stuart White has seen his lead chipped away to just four points by Nicolas van Weely, who triumphed in the last race and they should spark up an exciting rivalry once again.
Alex Gillespie sits in third place a further six points back and is also in a position to strike, while a further challenge should come from Liam Pienaar and Andrew Schofield.
The other national championship on show will be the Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup which will add another electrifying dimension to the event.
The two national challenges will be the V8 Supercars and the Red Square Kawasaki ZX10 Masters Cup.
The V8 Supercars are always a joy to watch, with some beautiful machines out on the track, while the ZX10 Masters Cup brings the thrills and spills with some classic motorcycle action.
The club championship then sees the Car Care Clinic 111 Sports and Saloons battling it out, while the BMSC Modified Saloons will have its regional championship, which should add a nice local flavour to proceedings.
Entry to the track today will cost R80 for adults, children R20 and kids U6 will be allowed in for free. Gates open today at 7am, with qualifying getting under way at 7.25am and the first race scheduled for 10.10am.