With only three rounds to go, the 2004 South African National Formula Vee Championship heads to the Zwartkops Raceway, for round eight, a crucial race for everyone to improve their Championship Standing. The race takes place, on the 25th September and includes events for Regional Championship Historic Touring Cars and Club Championship events, for Fine Cars, Historic Single Seaters and Legend Saloons, as well as a 100 Minute Endurance Race, for Sports Racing Cars. Racing gets underway at 11h00, with the National Championship Formula Vee races, scheduled for 12h40 and 15h35
Although he is not home and dry yet, veteran Formula Vee racer Symm Grobler (#2 Auto Mecca Rhema 2) edges closer and closer to his first National title, with each race and will be hoping to maintain that momentum at Zwartkops. At the previous event, Lee Thompson (#11 08Xconnect.com Rhema), reestablished himself as the current man to beat but as long as Grobler keeps on finishing in the points, he should still be able to stay ahead of Thompson, on the Championship log. Grobler’s biggest threat could still come from Alan Holm (#4 JBS Laser Sprint Rhema 2) and Holm will be hoping to still see one or two non-finishes, from the ultra reliable Grobler. At the same time he also needs to keep his eye on maintaining his advantage over Thomson, for the rest of the year as well. Any of them could win the race, along with the likes of Jaco Schriks (#9 JBS Laser Sprint Rhema 2) and Peter Hills (#5 Vacuform Rhema).
In with an outside chance, of picking up his first Formula Vee victory, is the sixteen year old ex Karter Jonathan Vilaca (#70 Vision) who continues to improve with every race. Not far behind and eager to give Vilaca a run for his money, will be the likes of Anthony Taylor (#7 Rigidek Rhema 2), Benny Phetla (#17 Vacuform Rhema), Wayne Bennett (#10 Lafarge Readymix Rhema 2) and Cape Town’s Doug MacDonald (#28 Rhema). They could be joined by another ex Karter, Trevor Bland (#63 Rhema), with Bradley Martin (#22 Rhema 2), Tony Beecher (#27 Beecher), Jannie Geyser (#18 Vision) and Kevin Cartmell (#21 Rand Brake Sting) not far behind. If his car has been repaired, after his accident at the last race, another of the ex Karters, fifteen year old Kyle Bennett (#100 Rhema), could be looking for a top ten finish as well.
The rest of the field can also be counted on, to give a good account of themselves, with good close racing expected all the way down the field. Among them, will be the development drivers Kearn Francis (#52 Rhema) and Dayview Mogane (#53 Alley), along with the recently repaired (#39 Lantis) of Bobby Nel.
National Championship Points:
1 Symm Grobler 175 2 Alan Holm 137 3 Lee Thompson 99 4 Jody Robertson 90 5 Jaco Schriks 89 6 Peter Hills 68 7 Benny Phetla 62 8 Dennis Johns 61 9 Jonathan Vilaca 42 10 Doug Mac Donald 40
