Last weekend saw the first race meeting weekend of the year after the summer break, and the crowds were a buzz lounging trackside and soaking up the action. The blend of braai, tyre and exhaust fumes fill the air in a thick cocktail only a trackside experience can serve up.
Sports and GT saw some international visitors blended with the usual characters. In the mix was Mikaeel Pitamber, fresh from his 4-hour endurance race in Abu Dhabi was out to start his season-long campaign in the Ligier JS53 EVO II run by Rico Barlow Racing. The young ace was eager to set the tone with a convincing victory first race out, with the challenge coming from Steve Humble in the ex-F1 Judd V8-powered Pilbeam MP91. Amongst the mix of cars, Clinton Thorne returned in his heavily modified Birkin Seven, battling it out with one of the international racers, Kennet Persson, in the McLaren M66B. Hard to think this type of car raced in 1968 in the American Can-Am series, and here they are still competitively laying down respectable lap times and duelling with more modern machinery. Sure, the times have moved on but name a sport that can boast the same scenario?
View this post on Instagram
The action was delivered throughout the day with the one-make series, Alert Parts GTI challenge, serving up that cutthroat action in both heats. Three classes on spec providing the door-busting, paint-swopping tin top action. Defending champion in Class A, Jurie Swart, claimed glory for the day by fending off the fight from 2022 Polo Cup champion Clinton Bezuidenhoudt. Kyle Visser is proving his worth in Class B in his first full year of main circuit racing from karting. In Class C, Matthew Rowe took P1 for the day, fending off Nur Abass and Sulaiman Effendi.
GALLERY: We’re still abuzz from this weekend’s action at Killarney Raceway
In formula Libre, it’s always Byron Mitchell and Andrew Rackstraw to watch. Rackstraw, Race Driver SA’s prize fighter, was getting solid main circuit training in a formula car before his national campaign kicked off in GTC. He claimed first overall for the day, stamping down authority. Byron Mitchell, unfortunately suffering mechanical issues putting him out of contention.
There was two-wheel action at Killarney Raceway, too, with Kewyn Snyman on his newly built fire blade leading the superbike class action in style second to none. Dare I say it, but it’s a sin that he’s not racing in an international series. The weekend warriors in the breakfast class were in full force, too, serving up a blend of all marvels on two wheels with plenty of incidents, no doubt, shaking off the cobwebs of a relaxing summer break.
Related: New Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI filmed at Killarney and around Cape Town!
If your penchant for racing is more classical, then a mix of sentimental, stirring classic racers would not disappoint. The show’s star was, no doubt, the Capri Perana commandeered by Nian Du Toit from NDT racing out in Cape Town, leading the way in a fight against Franco Dinardio in his blitz-quick Pinto-powered Ford Escort. Classic racing in Cape Town is alive and well ever the time warp for those wanting a back-to-the-future type trip of fire-breathing nostalgia. Long may they last. Nian saved the Capri from a certain binning after an oil pressure leak came out of the kink at full blast, sending the Ford into a smoke show series of pirouettes until eventually coming to a standstill inside of turn 3.
Killarney’s usual entertainers, Clubmans, were out in their first race of the season too. This time, with smaller numbers than pre-covid conditions but showing signs of recovery. Out front, it was all about the murdered Nissan R33 Skyline of Steven Heydenrych fighting Shane Du Toit in the Turbo Mk1 Golf. What’s that saying? Oh yes, “There’s always an mk1 Golf faster than you”. But not today, as the tyres gave in towards the end of heat two for the Golf. Du Toit and Heydenrych put on an absolute stinker of a performance serving up the best control I’ve seen from this class. Let’s hope everyone can put aside their home DIY projects and get all the other cars finished for the next race meeting.
At long last, Killarney was awarded a lease extension for the next 15 years. A welcome relief for plans that can now be put into play to maximise the value proposition for the industry, the community and racers. A desperate resurfacing is needed, and upgrading of facilities would be much appreciated. Who knows, fans might never leave. Either way, it’s great to see marketing efforts rendering a greater influx of crowds, and from a racer’s perspective circulating and taking in the sights of packed stands is a site for sore eyes. Let’s build on this momentum by coming to the next race meeting.
Enjoying the action from the grass embankment between turns 2 and 3, I can positively affirm that both competitors and spectators have missed racing. It’s great to have that energy buzzing once more. The next power series happens on Saturday, 4th March. Pencil it in the diary and make sure you’re at Killarney Raceway!
Words: Brent vd Schyff (@whiteknuckleadventures)
Photos: Alex Shahini (@alexshahini)
