Rule changes add muscle to two-litre FWD Production Car class

NATIONALmotorsport in South Africa is currently in a period of transition, with the old Wesbank V8s and various other categories having served their time. So with the need for change, the South African Championship meeting at Killarney next month is set to take on more of a festival atmosphere.

But with the national Production Cars in a starring role, and support from perennial favourites like the Engen Volkswa- gen Cup and the Formula Fords, there should be no shortage of red-hot racing on the track.

The Production Cars in particular are benefiting from new changes in the rules that add more muscle to the two-litre front-wheel drive cars that previously languished in a class of their own, at the tail of the field.

These allowances include the use of larger wheels, additional boost for the turbochargers and unrestricted suspension modifications.

This has levelled the racing field and placed the little guys on a par with the larger, more powerful four-wheel drive class A cars that previously dominated the title chase. The theory was put to the test during the first round of the national series in Port Elizabeth where it proved an instant success.

So much so that although the first of the three Production Car events was won by Michael van Rooyen in a little Chev Cruze he was hounded all the way by former champion Michael Stephen in a class A, all-wheel drive Audi S4.

Hennie Groenewald helped stage an Audi team recovery when he won the second race with the turbocharged Ford Focus’ of Gary Formato and Shaun Duminy not far behind in second and third places.

Finally, aided by their superior tyre wear and all-wheel drive, Audi managed a one- two-three clean-out in the third race.

But with the Killarney surface always easier on tyres, the situation may not be the same when they get here. It promises to be a good one.

Looking further ahead, Motorsport South Africa (MSA), has formally approved the new Global Touring Car Series for introduction into local circuit racing in 2016. According to Adrian Scholtz, MSA’s chief executive officer, the adoption of the Global Touring Car (GTC) format of racing for South Africa comes after an intensive period of evaluation of a number of saloon car options that were available to them.

“The Board of Directors felt that the GTC presented the most viable option for South Africa, featuring highly aspirational cars and local component manufacturing but with international relevance and a focus on driving down both costs of production and costs of participation for competitors.

Although only just announced, GTC apparently already has orders for five of its new four-cylinder two-litre turbocharged cars that can be differentiated by fitting the body panels and engines from any mediumsized saloon car.

This will allow different manufacturers to compete on an equal basis in much the same manner as the hugely successful Australian Touring Cars.