Tight battles to set scene at Scribante
The Eastern Province motor racing season moves on to its second round with another full car and bike regional race day at Port Elizabeth’s Aldo Scribante Racetrack on Saturday.
All eyes will be on the brothers Silvio and Aldo, who dominated the EP Regional Saloons last time, while the locals will be out for revenge against the Cape insurgents, who won last at the previous meet.
Former Production Car racer Silvio and brother and teammate Aldo Scribante were the ones to beat last time aboard their Audi S4s, despite the best efforts of Bevan Schwartz’s Corvette and Nick Davidson in a similar Audi.
There also remains a chance that rapid Cape driver Niyaaz Modack will make the trip to shake things up in another Audi S5.
Another contender looking to bounce back is Kevin Kelly, who had a torrid first race with his Class B Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.
He is out to stop Deon Slabbert’s quick Polo and there is word of a few appealing returning Class B prospects too.
BMW racers Rufus Neethling and Stephan Aucamp are the ones to beat in Class C and D respectively, Daniel Bright’s Golf leads the way in the Class E title chase and Wickus Basson (BMW) heads up Class F.
The EP Unlimited, 600cc and Masters motorcycle races promise scintillating action too, with Unlimited rider Paul Roelofse (Yamaha) and 600 man Ivor Vermaak taking on George flyer Ricardo Otto, fresh back from national duty, and Regardt Koen, who makes a return after missing the first round races.
The Powersport Breakfast Run and Masters motorcycle races will see Historic Suzuki rider Malcolm Burrows take on Honda 400 contenders Chad Bilsbury and Ray Wood and 300 lass Jessica Howden (Yamaha), among others.
Add to this returning Suzuki trio Glen Elliott, Irfaan Johnson and Remi van den Berg and Ian Meaker’s Ducati.
Back on four wheels – the Coastal Challenge and Historic and Classic Saloons – last round winner Shaun Rudolph (Escort), Deon Gouws (Kadett), Rane Berry (Skyline) will be keen to take advantage of the absence of Rudolf de Vos whose glorious Chevy Can Am is in for a little TLC.
Anton Ehlers (Escort), Darryn Vice’s Anglia and Gordon Bennett (Rekord) will be among the men chasing them.
Quinsley Sale (Ariel Atom) is looking for a clean sweep after a successful run in the opening two Sports and GT races.
He’ll want to take revenge over Gordon Nicholson (Nissan GT-R), who took race three – and the day overall – last time from Kean Barnard (Lotus 7) and Sale.
Lotus 7 trio Joel Steenkamp, Patrick Hanly and Jeandre Marais will also be out to take them on.
Last but not least, the popular and varied Street and Fine Cars will see the rest of the field out to stop Tom Hugo (Skyline) from dominating again this weekend.
Entry is R50 an adult at the gate, free for children, with food and refreshments on sale.
Qualifying races start at 8am, with three races per class from 9.45am.
● Inquiries: Sparky Bright at sparkyb@vodamail.co.za