AA Kyalami in August saw Jesse Adams snatch the CAR Rookie cash from some of the more established names for the second time this season. Adams, who crashed his Class E CitiGolf 1,6 very badly at the preceding event at Port Elizabeth, only just managed to complete the repairs the night before Kyalami. But, from first warm-up on Friday, he showed his hand, going second quickest. In terms of a new format adopted for production cars at this race, each competitor’s second quickest qualifying lap counted for his grid position for the second heat. Adams put the new rule to good use and qualified third for the first heat and second for race two. –
– Experienced campaigner and former Rookie contender Dave Compton in his very rapid Toyota Tazz won the first race. Adams finished a mere three seconds adrift, ahead of a hard-charging Jody Powell, driving an Opel Corsa 140i. –
– Race two saw Compton set a blistering pace at the front of the field, matched by fellow Rookie contender Riyad Jaffer, also in a Tazz. The fierce contest ended bitterly, Compton completing just three laps before being sidelined by a coming-together with his rival. Jaffer was later excluded from the results as a consequence. Darren Murphy in a VW Golf 1,4i was the lucky beneficiary, taking the race win. Adams was close behind, his second runner-up finish securing overall victory for the day. Jody Powell was next across the line, completing a brace of thirds that secured second place overall. With production car competitors currently not receiving any travel money, Jesse was relieved to take the R2 500 CAR Rookie cheque, as it means he will be able to contest the next round of the championship at Killarney. –
– The CAR Rookie programme aims to help young drivers establish themselves in national track racing. Open only to participants in Class E of the national production car series who are in their first or second season of national racing, this year’s competition offers contenders the chance to earn extra cash to fund their efforts, with a prize of R2 500 up for grabs at each of the 10 rounds for the CAR Magazine Rookie of the Race, who will be named at the end of each meeting. At the end of the season, the overall winner will receive a grand prize of R25 000. Winners of the CAR Magazine Rookie of the Race awards, as well as the CAR Magazine Rookie of the Year, are chosen by an experienced judging panel. In their evaluations, our judges take into account the competitor’s situation and the type of car used, in addition to aspects such as racecraft and skill at the wheel. So the Rookie award does not necessarily go to the class winner. –
– Prospective Rookies are required to register with Motorsport South Africa. The requisite entry forms can be obtained from CAR’s Craig Nicholson, who may be contacted at (011) 783-7030.
