It’s all systems go for the Bosal Golden Age of Motor Racing at Zwartkops International World of Motoring, on the R55, Pretoria West, this Saturday (29 January, with over 300 entries in the eight categories, and a special tribute to one of the greats, John Love.
Heading the list of the events will be the Goodyear International Sports Prototypes and the Castrol South African Tourist Trophy. Historic Touring Cars have drawn the biggest entry, with over 64 participants, followed in strength by the Lexar Media Golden Age Motorcycles.
The Goodyear International Sports Prototypes should be a straight battle between the Martini Le Mans Porsche, a pack of Porsche RSR’s, the heavy metal Lola T70, the Anthony Corin Gunston Chevron B19, Grant Orbell’s Chevron B16 and Jonathan du Toit’s B8.
Max Martini’s mighty McLaren M6 could upset the field. This McLaren is an ex Can-Am car, which won the USA Championship in 1968. An then there is the Porsche 917K of David Piper and Nigel Hulme’s Lola T70, both of which are being rushed to South Africa after initial delays in ship freighting.
The Castrol SA Tourist Trophy has over 36 cars entered, four of which will need to be eliminated in official practice to meet circuit licence requirements.
At the top of the pile are the two Ford GT40’s of Peter Bailey and Mike Nel. They will face stiff competition from the early Le Mans Porsche 911’s and a younger-generation BMW Batmobile, Chev Camaro, Chevron B8 and Mustangs. Class B has a huge array of MGB’s and GSM Darts, Morgan’s, E-Type Jaguar and that very special Austin Healey of Franz Pretorius. All these cars will replicate their previous feats at Le Mans, Sebring and our own Nine Hours. Class C has a fascination of its own, with D-Type Jaguar, Lotus 11, Alfa Spyder, Protea Triumph and Jaguar XK140. All these cars raced in the Golden Days at Grand Central.
The growth in the entry of the Historic Touring Cars never ceases to amaze. Peter Lindenberg has entered the ex-Olthoff Basil Green Capri Perana. This car is today as spectacular as it was when it was first raced in January 1970. Cindy Evans, in her very special Renault Gordini, is a real joy to watch, as is the incredibly quick Porsche RSR’s. The 64 Historic Touring Cars will be split into two groups.
The Castrol Historic single seaters will have Lew Baker in the Peter de Klerk Alfa Special racing full bore against Ron Liddard’s famous Lotus 51 and an assortment of other purpose-built South African single seaters. These and the Lotus Challenge, Fine Cars and the end of the day 45 minute thrash of South African Prototypes, including the Franz Pretorius 956, make for a full-house day’s racing action.
The programme also includes the Legend Saloons with Jaguars, Studebaker, Lotus Cortinas, three Mustangs – all 30 cars of all shapes and sizes fighting for a bit of tar.
Of course such a day would not be complete without the great racing motorcycles of another age. Six-times World Champion, Jim Redman, heads the list with former Zimbabwean Champion, Jimmy Whyte, Peter Reid from Scotland and John Hammond from the UK, plus 60 others adding to the two-wheeler spectacle.
In keeping with Zwartkops’ tradition of family entertainment, plenty of sideline attractions and refreshments will be available.
As an added bonus the 4-plane Sasol Tiger Aerobatic Team will perform over Zwartkops during the lunch time.
The gates open at 06h30, practice will be from 07h00 and racing starts at 10h00 till late.
Public entrance is R70 per adult, R30 for students, with children under 12 admitted for free.
See you at Zwartkops.
For more info call Charlene on (012) 374-5802 / 082 451-3034 or visit www.zwartkops.co.za.
