Watch legends in action
SAREL VAN DER MERWE: MAESTRO LEADS PRE-66 SALOON CAR PACK
Day of action awaits as historic car races return to Zwartkops.
South African historic car racing will return to its traditional home on Saturday, when the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria will host the penultimate round of this year’s Historic Tour.
The event – dubbed “a return of the Swinging Sixties” – will see more than 180 competitors tackling 18 races in nine separate car categories.
And there will be a very special guest driver: motorsport legend Sarel van der Merwe.
The maestro will head up the Swinging Sixties theme by racing a 1964 Ford Galaxie in the events for SKF Pre-1966 Legend Saloon Cars.
He will face off against competitors like Paulo Cavalieri (1963 Ford Galaxie), Willie Hepburn (1965 Chevelle), Jonathan du Toit (1965 Chev Nova), Jeffrey Kruger (1964 Ford Comet) and Mark du Toit (1957 Chev Bel-Air).
Continuing the Swinging Sixties theme behind the big cars will be Pre-1966 Under Two-Litre and Little Giant vehicles.
Top contenders will include Alan Poulter (Tom Campher Volvo 122), Carel Pienaar (Lotus Cortina), Patrick Gearing (Alfa Romeo GTA), Ben van der Westhuizen (Lotus Cortina). Mike O’Sullivan (BMW 2002 T1) and Trevor Tuck (Alfa Giulietta T1).
Heading up the Little Giant contingent will be racers like Ishmael Baloyi (GSM Dart), Frank Copping (Renault Dauphine), Josh Dovey (Austin Healy Sprite), Mark van Rooyen (Sunbeam Alpine), Cindy Evans-Finney (Renault Gordini), Stephen Britz (MGBGT) and Mel Spurr (Ford Consul).
The Pre-66 cars will tackle two six-lap sprint races in the morning, plus a 30-minute endurance race at the end of the day.
The day’s quickest historic car races should be those for Pre-1974 International Sports Prototypes.
Front runners should include Mark du Toit (1965 Lola T70 Spyder), Michiel Simons (1966 Ford GT40), Jonathan du Toit (1969 Chevron VSP), Peter Bailey (1974 Porsche 911), Warren Lombard (1964 Cobra Ford), Mark Lauth (1966 Lola T70), Josh Dovey (1965 Ginetta G4R), and Ben Morgenrood (1966 Ford Mustang).
The event’s largest entry will be that of the Marlboro Crane Hire Pre-1980 Saloon Cars, with the 49car field divided into two separate races.
Pre-event favourites should include Willie Hepburn (Sabat Opel Rekord V8), Paige Lindenberg (Ford Fairlane), Andy Gossman (VW Scirocco), Mike O’Sullivan (Chev SS), Seef Fourie Senior (Datsun 160 SSS), Martin Botha (Datsun 1200GX), and George Economides (Ford Escort),.
Adding much spectacle will be the presence of the Samvar V8 Supercar brigade, participating in two invitational races.
Topping the entry list will be people like Ben Morgenrood (Ford Falcon), Franco di Matteo (Deltec Jaguar XKR), Mackie Adlem (Jaguar XKR), Larry Wilford (Fuchs Ford Falcon), and Terry Wilford (Fuchs Ford Falcon).
The day’s only handicap races will be those for Charlies Super Spar Historic Pursuit cars.
Heading up a full entry list will be drivers like Machiel Oberholzer (Mercedes-Benz 190E), Rob van Aarle (Ford Escort), Danny Kloes (Alfa Romeo GTV), Jan Jacobs (Alfa Romeo GT Junior), Neil Fowlis (Datsin 160), Rob Clark (Citroen CX2200), Werner Hartzenberg (Porsche 356) and Joe de Klerk (Ford Mustang).
Rounding out the programme will be two races for SABAT Lotus Challenge cars, with top contenders Jeffrey Kruger (Lotus 7), Thomas Falkiner (Taylon 7), Mackie Adlem (LoCost), Jeff Gable (Birkin 7), Rob Gearing (Birkin 7), Fred Alberts (Birkin 7), Carel Schaap (Birkin S3) and David Jermy (Lotus 7).
For more information call the circuit office at 012384-2299 or 082-390-6016