Knives Out At Round Eight Of Wesbank Super Series At Zwartkops

As was expected in highly competitive racing categories, some very tight championship issues have developed as the year has progressed. And with the season now into the home stretch, every point is a precious one and competitors find themselves in a position where titles can be won and lost through one bad result.
For those at the sharp end of the stick there is pressure aplenty. That always sets the scene for good racing, and the tight nature of the Zwartkops layout is going to add to the spectacle.
On the debit side the national championship events at the meeting will be an all saloon car extravaganza. Zwartkops was recently resurfaced and the circuit has not yet cured to the extent where motorcycles have enough grip at racing speeds.
After two test days the CitiBike Superbike and CitiBike Supersport brigades decided against racing. It is a disappointment but there is enough quantity and quality in the national saloon car events to keep everyone happy.

The two WesBank V8 Supercar heats – and the second race in particular – could provide highlights of the day.

On the tight Zwartkops layout passing is always difficult for the big bangers, and during the two 12 lap races there are bound to be a couple of kamikaze efforts. The now customary inverted grid for race two is also going to provide for action and it is going to be a question of survival of the fittest.
The continued absence of former champion Grant van Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Jaguar) has taken the sting out of the championship. Reigning champion Hennie Groenewald (Timken SP Racing Jaguar) is out of reach where the championship is involved, but recent developments have breathed new life into the category.
Two-time Engen VW Cup champion Robert Briggs (Timken Jaguar) confirmed his potential with a maiden victory at Killarney, in Cape Town, last time out. Briggs is now a confirmed dangerman at the front of the field, and that could bring the best out of Groenewald.
A win for Mackie Adlem (Fuchs Titan/Kyalami Ford Mustang) in Cape Town will also have done his confidence a world of good and he will be looking at more race wins. Gordon Connolly, with a 100 percent finish record in the Dezzi/Cowan Signs Jaguar is also knocking on the door where wins are concerned, and suddenly there are a handful or more drivers capable of winning races.
Jaco Correia (Omega Chev Corvette) also falls into that category along with Jimmy Auby (Tyco/Jonnesway Jaguar) who missed the Cape outing via an overseas commitment. The inverted grid system in race two also brings into play drivers like veteran Willie Hepburn (Project Orange Chev Corvette), Franco di Matteo in the Deltec Jaguar and former GT2 champion Terry Wilford who will be back in the Fuchs Titan Ford Mustang.
While Groenewald is way out in front in the championship, there are some interesting tussles lower down the order. Only two points separate Adlem and Connolly in third and fourth, and Auby and Briggs are tied together in joint fifth. Jade Gutzeit (Dezzi/Trysome Ford Mustang) is only 11 points further adrift and there is plenty of incentive for drivers.
While Groenewald will be keen to get back on the winning trail, he has the luxury of being able to drive for the championship. One has a feeling, however, that pride will come to the fore.

As one would expect from a one marquee category, the Engen VW Cup has produced some of the best racing of the season.

The pattern is likely to continue at Zwartkops. The tight layout will add to the potential for close racing, and a championship that is delicately poised virtually guarantees close racing.
Lee Thompson, in the Xtreme Team VW Polo, has led the championship from the start of the season and has hardly put a wheel wrong. For all that Thompson has not been able to shake off the attentions of veteran Graham Donker in the Mini Maxi Panelbeaters VW Polo, and going to Zwartkops the pair are separated by just five points.
On his home circuit Thompson will be keen to open up the gap, but Donker has plenty of experience and will know exactly what he has to do. Behind the front runners veterans Kosie Swanepoel (Barnetts VW Polo) and Curt Alchin (Bodyman/Assist2Sell VW Polo) are not out of the championship picture, but need good points hauls on Saturday.
Further down the pecking order only two points separate Gary van Heerden (Webcom/Soviet VW Polo), Miguel Pasqualli, in the second Xtreme Team entry, and Mathew Hodges in the Sorcit Drilling Supplies Polo. They all have winning potential, along with Jared Mortimer (Formax VW Polo) and the racing up front is going to be hectic.
On home turf Thompson must be heavily favoured. But the Engen VW Cup has a habit of spitting up surprise results, and Zwartkops is the sort of venue made for surprise results.