The Formula Vee event on the 21st February, at Zwartkops Raceway west of Pretoria, will be the first National Championship race of the year, as well as the first Formula Vee race with the 1400cc motor. With Volkswagen SA having ceased production of the 1300cc motor, a decision was taken to convert Formula Vee to the current entry level 1400cc motor, during the course of the 2004 season. Most of the drivers, have already taken advantage of the deal offered by Volkswagen SA and a large proportion of the Zwartkops entry, will be running the new motor. This should almost certainly guarantee a new lap record, with a number of drivers capable of taking that honor, as well as the race wins on the day.
Starting as favorite, will be the 2000 National Title winner, Dennis Johns (#3 Goldco Midas Rhema 2). He could however be hard pressed, to hold off the likes of the 2003 Northern Regions Champion Symm Grobler (#2 Auto Mecca Rhema 2), Alan Holm (#4 Johannesburg Bright Steels Rhema 2), eighteen year old Jody Robertson (#6 PS23 Lubrioil Rhema) and the 1997, 1998 National Champion Anthony Taylor (#7 Vacuform Rhema 2). Holm will be the unknown factor in the equation, as he and team mate Jaco Schriks (#9 Johannesburg Bright Steels Rhema 2), will be making their first public appearance, in their stunning brand new Rhema 2s.
Not far behind the race leaders, should be the likes of Schriks, Wayne Bennett (#10 Lafarge Readymix Rhema 2), Claude Cartmell (#15 Rand Brake Sting), Benny Phetla (#17 Rhema), Kevin Cartmell (#21 Rand Brake Sting), Bradley Martin (#22 Rhema 2), Nico Blignaut (#24 Rhema) and Tony Beecher (#27 Lazer TB1). Rhema drivers Jaco Greyling (#54) and Kearn Francis (#34), were pretty evenly matched by the end of the 2003 season and will be looking forward to resuming the battle, in 2004.
Bobby Nel (#39 DK Office Furniture Lantis), will be starting his first full season in the category, while John Lerm (#30 Save the Jackal Sting), is joined by his brother Rion (#83 Vision), who will be participating in his first National race. Others making their National Formula Vee debuts, at Zwartkops, are Paul Venter (#46 Laser) and JP Nortje (#50 Sting)
The two fifteen lap heats, should produce plenty of good, close wheel to wheel action, in true Formula Vee tradition. The meeting also includes races, for Thunder Cars, Formula GTi, Open Sports Cars, Silver Cup, Super Hatch and 250cc Karts, with the first race of the day, due to start at eleven thirty.
