On an almost picture perfect Summers Day the track conditions were close to ideal for the 100 entries in the Challenge to go all out after the valuable points on offer while at the same time honing in on a share of the R30 000 cash kitty. “Track conditions were just right for the guys to attempt record breaking runs, the heat of the track meant improved traction which lead to quicker starts and faster times,” said Nico van Rensburg who in his Top Alcohol Funny Car ‘Lethal Weapon’ improved yet again on the SA record he set on June 16 at the very same track in the first round of the SA Drag Challenge. “I believe I can go even faster and I plan to do so at the final round of the SA Drag Challenge being held at WesBank Raceway on 9 November,” continued van Rensburg who is regarded as this country’s most experienced Funny car driver. The stand-out record breaker amongst the magnificent seven was Louis Lima and his little Nissan Bakkie who shattered the nine second barrier with a time of 8.678 to set a new pro-street 4 cylinder record while two records were set in the Senior Eliminator class when Mohammed Dawood broke the previous best time while the evergreen and ever quick Durbanite Reg Murray (72) ran a new speed record of 235.74 km/h over the 400m distance. Other record breakers on the day were Peter Zeelie in his Cobra who improved the bench mark for the eight cylinder class and Richard Jordaan in his Nissan. The four round SA Drag Challenge has been a joint venture between WesBank Raceway and Tarlton International Raceway to heighten the profile of Drag Racing in South Africa and has been a resounding success with a number of records being broken throughout the series and many more fans introduced to this spectacular and exciting form of motorsport. One of the real highlights of the day was when the Godfather of Drag Racing Mick van Rensburg and his son Nico thrilled the speed addicted crowd by running both of Tarlton’s Westinghouse Jet Cars. As usual the speed and ferocity were a sight to behold and Mick and Nico achieved speeds of 323.65km/h and 388.53km/h respectively over the quarter mile. The two wheeled action was again all about the Kawasaki versus Suzuki rivalry and in the Top Bike Eliminator class it was young Fransie Engelbrecht now riding for the Bear Engineering Kawasaki team who showed his remarkable talents off by taking the victory, in the remaining two bike categories it was the Suzuki riders who came out on top leaving the score for the day in Suzuki’s favour. The action and tension on the strip has been heating up over the three rounds, and with only the final round left to come no one driver can be assured of his or her place at the top of the leader board so everyone will be going all out to get the maximum performance out of their machines and themselves when they next meet at WesBank Raceway on Sunday 9 November when South Africa’s Kings and Queens of speed will be crowned. RESULTS OF ROUND 2 OF THE SA DRAG RACING CHALLENGE: Top Eliminator 1st Nico van Rensburg 2nd Deon Verster 3rd Pieter de Witt Senior Eliminator 1st Gavin Murray 2nd Koos Moolman 3rd Mohammed Dawood Pro Street Eliminator 1st Tyrin Murray 2nd Richard Jordaan 3rd Louis Lima Super Street 8 cylinders 1st Pieter Zeelie 2nd Herman Haasbroek 3rd Pieter Loots Super Street 6 cylinders 1st Shaid Essop 2nd William Budler 3rd Kappie Kaplen Super Street 4 cylinders 1st Jerry Sonny 2nd Dawid Venter 3rd Wickus Pieterse Stock Street Cars 1st Pieter Botha 2nd Dale February 3rd Pieter J. Pretorius Top Bike Eliminator 1st Fransie Engelbrecht 2nd Brad Anassis Street bikes up to 1000cc 1st Wayne Heasman 2nd Martin Viviers 3rd Henry vd Merwe Street bikes over 1000cc 1st Jannie Olivier 2nd Fransie Engelbrecht 3rd Chris Muller
RECORD FEST AS MAGNIFICENT SEVEN RIDE AGAIN
X
Related Articles
Subscribe Today
Carmag
Reviews
Buy a Car
News
Videos
Powered By
CAPE TOWN OFFICE: 36 Old Mill Road, Ndabeni, Maitland, 7405, Western Cape > Telephone: (021) 530 3300 > Fax: (021) 530 3333
© Copyright 2024 CarMag