KILLARNEY MAIN CIRCUIT – OPEN PRACTICE DATES – 25/02/2010

Wednesdays 2pm till 6pm
Pay the marshals before going onto the circuit:

3rd March
7th April
28th April
26th May – T.B.C.
21st July
25th August – T.B.C.
22nd September
13th October
17th November

Please note that these dates / times above can change as required by the club. We will advise any changes as best as possible via the clubs email distributions and web site.

CAPE TORQUE, 2010 WESBANK REVIEW – 25/02/2010

Following my comment about the opening round of the national Wesbank Super Series at Kyalami, in last weeks column, this event has now come and gone with results that bode well for what should be an exciting second leg here at Killarney on March 13.

The revamped Bridgestone Production Car Championship probably occupied pride of place. For the first time it was run as a three race promotion – two six lap sprints followed by a 10 lap feature event. The back to back six lappers took place consecutively in the middle of the day, while the longer race brought the curtain down at the end of the programme. An interesting feature of the sprints was that the cars were placed in quarantine after the first, during which time the teams were not permitted to work on them.

Unfortunately it was not the greatest day for Indy Oil Audi A4 quattro driver Johan Fourie. The Cape’s reigning champion actually did well to finish as runner-up in the opening event, just a split second behind Anthony Taylor’s flying Afrox BMW 335i – but that was his only appearance on the podium.

Taylor on the other hand was in fine form, and although beaten into second place by Michael Stephen’s Audi A4 in the second sprint, after paying the price of his initial victory and having to start well back on a partially inverted grid, he recovered well and was first across the line again in the final event.

Rookie Bridgestone driver Gennaro Bonafede provided the sensation factor in classT. After finishing second behind Graham Nathan’s Indy Oil VW GTi in the opening sprint events, he then stalked his mentor and team-mate in the longer third race before nipping past under braking on the last lap. It was the climax of a magnificent display by both drivers, and much appreciated by the crowd.

There was an upset in the big Wesbank V8 Supercar category when the favoured 18 year old whizzkid Brendan Auby appeared to slow on the last lap of the first race and the Free States’ Jaco Correia was able to sneak through and take the chequered flag.

With another inverted grid marking the start of the second event, it wasn’t long before the track resembled a battlefield. Early leader Terry Wilford soon spun off in his Fuchs Jaguar, while several others retired for various reasons. Correia took full advantage as he went on to record his second victory.

Although the tearaway Kosie Weyers, who is as well known on the Killarney stock car track as he is on the main circuit, was only able to claim a third in the second one make Engen VW Cup Series event, there was nothing to choose between the leading drivers and he could just as easily have been a winner.

In the Interfile Superbike events, local Bikefin Honda rider Lance Isaacs, who is a grizzled veteran despite his still youthful cherubic appearance, gave pre-race favourite Sheridan Morias a scare when he claimed pole position in the first event and then went on to finish just ahead of the hard riding Emtek Aprilia man.

And although Morias came through to claim the honours in the final event, he was made to work all the way.

Fourie, Weyers and Isaacs will all have home circuit advantage on March 13 and it is going to be interesting to see how they fare.

CAPE TORQUE, 2010 WESBANK SERIES – 17/02/2010

With Killarney due to host the second round of the all inclusive, 2010 national Wesbank Super Series on March 13, there is unprecedented local interest in Saturday’s opening salvo at Kyalami.

Reasons include several interesting changes in the regulations, plus the usual musical chairs, as a percentage of leading drivers and riders select their new weapons.

Here, the popular Bridgestone Production Car Championship would appear to have it all with their announcement of potentially exciting new changes to the race format, performance equalisation system and driver line-up.

The Bridgestoners will now contest three races per meeting for the first time, with two back to back sprint events followed by a double point feature race. The second sprint starts from a partially inverted grid, with the quickest guys having to come through from the back.

Although the Cape’s Johan Fourie tops the entry list in the same Indy Oil Audi A4 as last season, Anthony Taylor, his closest rival, has upped a notch from BMW 330i to the latest 335i.

Subaru have recruited the aggressive former Wesank V8 champion Hennie Groenewald, who is going to be making his Production Car debut at the wheel of a new WRX STI.

But easily the most talked about new entry comes from Lotus, who have the experienced Richard Pinard at the wheel of a sleek, two door Exige.

Further back in the field, class B titleholder Kosie Swanepoel is remaining faithful to his Toyota RunX.

But those who enjoy explosive action need look no further than a pair of sharp shooting Kaapenaars in the one make Volkswagen Cup category. Kosie Weyers and Brett Roach are not renowned for taking prisoners and their progress will be progress will be followed with interest.

Other front running locals include Bryan Morgan and Brennon Green, with Morgan seen as a possible threat to reigning champion Matthew Hodges.

Changes to the formula include minor suspension modifications to facilitate even better roadholding and a new Masters Class for drivers over 27.

South Africa’s fastest racing saloon cars – the big Wesbank V8’s – are going to bring a new look to national motorsport this year with the formula now being divided into two classes.

The existing category is to be known as the Super GT’s, with 6-litre Chev or Ford V8 engines producing 600 horsepower but with a rev limit of 7000 rpm. The only exception is in East London where 7200 rpm will be permitted to prevent the engines running out of revs at speeds of around 300 km/h on the fastest section of the track.

A second GT class uses similar V8 motors, but with softer camshafts that develop less power. They are limited to 6800 rpm in the interest of reliability and cost.

A feature of the driver line-up is that veteran Ben Morganrood is making a come-back in a Jaguar bodied V8. Morganrood’s target is undoubtedly going to be Brandon Auby, an 18 year old prodigy who was named Goodyear’s Driver of the Year in 2009.

Among the Interfile two wheelers, reigning South African champion Sheridan Morias has left Kawasaki and will be seen astride an Aprilia Milla 1000cc instead. However his closest challenger, Capetonian Lance Isaacs, has opted to remain with the well organised Brad Anassis Honda outfit.

Barring accidents (literally), all that in one day sounds like the start of a great season.

EXECULINE SPRINGBOK SERIES – 14/02/2010

An excellent weekend’s motor racing during the Execuline Springbok Series at Killarney was appreciated as much for the competition it produced, as it was for the quality and variety of the cars and motorcycles that were involved.

One of the most exciting races on Saturday was undoubtedly when the elderly pre 1966 racers in the hands of Sarel van der Merwe (Chevelle V8) and Mark du Toit (Chev Biscayne V8), finished ahead of all the later model, pre 1977 D,E&F, Classic Touring Cars.

Starting from pole in the second race next day, Van der Merwe shot into the lead with the Biscayne right on his tail. Du Toit then appeared to slow at about half distance as he strugged with gear change problems. This allowed Johan Swart to take up the chase in his VW Scirroco. Third place went to Pierre de Waal (Alfa 2000 GTV).

Others who deserve commendation in this one, include Andre Mouton in a big Studebaker Silver Hawk that cornered like a marshmallow floating in hot chocolate sauce and Derek Wilsnagh, whose Anglia’s fine performance belied its cherubic Sunday School appearance.

Local drivers hoisted the flag during the pre 1977 Touring Car event on Sunday when Keith Rose set the pace in his Porsche 911 RS, ahead of Anton Rollino’s powerful Chev CanAm V8. They were followed home by Gauteng’s Peter Lindenberg in a Ford Capri Perana. Before that, Rollino had won the first leg on Saturday from Lindenberg and Rose.

The Pre-1966 Sports Car podium was reserved for genuine, or lookalike, Ford GT-40’s, with overall honours going to Peter Bailey, Nic and Chris Clark and Francis Carruthers.

The Pre 1984 World Sports and GT events belonged to a menacing Porsche 956 in the hands of Franz Pretorius. He was followed by a pair of older FVH 7’s that were well controlled by Kaapenaars Peter Little and Colin Howard.

With Irvine Laidlaw’s potent Brabham Climax missing from the line-up, overall honours in the three race, Pre 1972 single seater category went to Alan Baillie from Marcus Mussa and Greg Mills.

EXECULINE SPRINGBOK SERIES – 14/02/2010

Despite several retirements, the 1-Hour Endurance Race during the international historic Execuline Springbok Series meeting at Killarney on Sunday proved to be an absorbing contest. Overall victory was eventually claimed by Franz Pretorius in his Porsche 911 RSR. He was followed by Tony Martin and Mike McLaughlin who shared an AC Cobra and Peter Lindenberg (Ford GT-40).

Peter Lindenberg won the Index of Performance Award in his GT40, with the team honours going to Tony Martin / Mike McLaughlin (Cobra), S Puschaver (Mini Cooper S) and Mike Altona (GSM Dart) of the Backdraft Racing outfit. They were followed by the Simons and Midas Team that was made up of Greg Walker / Alan Eustice (CVT Lotus 7), S Balie / Alan Scheckle (Opel GTE) and Ernest “Lightning” Leite (Fiat 128 Sports).

Although Keith Rose (Porsche 911 RS) dominated the first pre 1977 Classic Touring Car A,C&E race that finished, Peter Lindenberg took over in the next, after Willie Hepburn disappeared on the last lap.

Ten lap events appeared to be a little strenuous for several of the elderly vehicles. So much so that of the initial 26 entries in the pre ’66 and ‘77 Classic Touring Car events, only four finished on the same lap in the second heat. Sarel van der Merwe eventually claimed victory in all three in his Chevelle, with second place being split between Mark du Toit, who won two in his Chevy Biscayne, and Johann Swart (VW Scirroco).

Tony Martin (Cobra), won the first pre ’66 Tourist Trophy Sports Car race and seemed to have the second sewn up until he came apart at about half distance. Victory then went to Guy Minshaw (Chevron B8), from Peter Bailey (Ford GT-40) and Nic Clark (Ford GT-40).

Alan Baillie (Cooper T73), Marcus Mussa (Merlyn) and Greg Mills, finished in that order in the first two Historic Single Seater events, with Steve Crook claiming third in the final.

Irvine Laidlaw’s magnificent Ferrari 312 PB was untouchable in the International Sports Prototype races. He was followed across the line by Steve Humble (Mallock Mk.14) and Jonathan du Toit (Chevron B8), in both contests.

Franz Pretorius (Porsche 956) led the FVH 7’s of Peter Little and Colin Howard to the finish, in the pre ’84 World Sports and GT races.

Fine Car drivers Steven David (Marcos Matara), Charles Arton (BMW) and Chris Kotze (BMW E30) grabbed the honours in the first race, with Gert du Plessis (BMW 323), Kevin Taylor and Kearney/Moulden, taking over in the second.

A TRIBUTE TO CHRIS BOSSON – 10/02/2010

We have to assume that someone at that big circuit in the sky needed a performance pipe because exhaust-maker extraordinary Chris Bosson lost his fight with leukaemia on February 9, a month before his 41st birthday. Chris lived his passion for motorcycles in every facet of his life, putting more riding, more racing - and more crashes! - into four decades than most of us could in twice that. For Chris his work, his hobby and his family were all part of the same adventure. His wife Martie is the voice of sanity at Bosson Performance Exhausts but she's also a racer - they've often competed against each other but just as often Chris would step back and act as pit crew for Martie, taking immense pride in her successes. Chris was born in Zimbabwe and began racing motocross there at the age of six. The family moved to South Africa when Chris was 14 and two years later he began racing lightweight motorcycles on Killarney's "K" circuit - and the locals didn't know what had hit them. For four years he was practically unbeatable and when he moved on to the main circuit he dominated the 250/400 Powersport Class in the same way. But he never lost his love of highly-strung two-strokes. Rather than run a 400cc four-stroke, he began importing 125 and 250cc ex-Grand Prix bikes, eventually fielding an ex-works Yamaha TZ125 that weighed less than he did and could go round the outside of almost anything in a tight corner. His crowning achievement with the Yamaha was when he won a (very wet) regional race outright, beating off litre-class bikes in the process. In 1990 he founded Bosson Performance Exhausts, although he'd been making two-stroke exhausts on a semi-professional level for years. He was meticulous in his research, saying that designing an expansion box was not a black art but a science, governed by exact formulas and precise calculations - in fact he was among the first to use computer-aided design in exhaust manufacture Having won everything he could at Killarney, Chris went National racing in the 600cc class, scoring two seconds in his first season. Like many a shoestring racer, however, he had to make up for inadequate financial backing by riding beyond his - and the bike's limits. A series of big crashes put paid to his National campaign and he returned to Regional racing at Killarney, finishing second in the Western Province championship. After a huge crash in 2002 Chris stopped motorcycle racing for several years (he got into oval-track racing instead, but that's another story). He never forgot his love of motocross, however, and when the French passion for riding motocross bikes on tar (they call them Supermotards) came to Killarney in 2004 he was one of the first entries, finishing second in the WP championship in 2005 and 2006, and fifth in the National Masters Class in 2008. He was also involved in the administration of the sport for a number of years, giving freely of his time and expertise to help young riders - but he'll be remembered most for his no-nonsense plain speaking and astonishing lean angles. Killarney will be a quieter, somewhat duller place without him. Our sympathy goes out to Martie and their daughter.

We will be holding a memorial ride around the Killarney track on Friday at 5:30 for 6:00pm followed by a get together at the Clubhouse. Please join us for this occasion.

To all of you with a bike of any sorts , quad, scooter, trail, mx, enduro, motard, adventure,bike please come down and join us for this special tribute to our very special friend and please invite all you know as well

SPORTS CAR ENTRIES – 02/02/2010

Exotic sports cars from motor racing’s golden era, abound among the more than 200 entries that have been received for the Cape South Easter round of the Execuline Springbok Series at Killarney this coming weekend.

And with replicas, many of them even better than the originals, being accepted these days, the age of increasingly valuable oldies being packed in styrofoam and disappearing from active service, is now of lesser concern.

So much so that the Lola factory is currently producing an improved version of their venerable V8 engined T-70, a model that first sprang to prominence at Killarney, when Australian rebel, Paul Hawkins, drove one to victory in the 1967 Cape 3-Hour race.

But the replica record at the local circuit this weekend has been secured by impersonations of the Ford GT-40, a car that dominated the Le Mans 24-Hour race in the early 1970’s. Seven of these sleek, low slung coupes have been entered and with drivers of the calibre of Peter Lindenberg and Peter Bailey, whose company has produced many of them, it will be interesting to see how the honours are going to be divided

But while American V8 engines for the T-70 and GT-40 are still available, the air cooled, flat 12 that motivated the fearsome Porsche 917 have vanished like the Carolina Parakeet and the Dodo. As a result. most 917 replicas rely on other forms of Porsche power. Some have even switched to engines from Nissan and other manufacturers.

However Lord Irvine Laidlaw is someone who still believes in the original product. While no price can be placed on his cars, the rarest and therefore probably also the most valuable of his Killarney entries is his Aston Martin DBR-2/1 sports car.

Created from the shortlived Lagonda project, Aston Martin built just two of these very special cars, DBR-2/1 and DBR-2/2. Searching for reliable power, the V12 Lagonda motor was dumped in favour of a 3.7-litre straight six that was later enlarged to 4.2-litres.

Launched in 1957, DBR-2/1’s most notable success that year was a victory in the Daily Express Trophy meeting at Silverstone in the hands of sports car specialist Roy Salvadori.

A more ambitious programme in 1958 with Stirling Moss at the wheel resulted in it being first across the line in the Sussex Trophy at Goodwood and the British Empire Trophy race at Oulton Park.

Both cars were then sent to campaign in America. Once there 2/1 was entrusted to George Constantine who ensured it notched up two wins in the Bahamas and others in New York, Lime Rock and Marlborough, before being recalled to its home base in England.

Having achieved their objective, both cars were then sold privately, with DBR-2/1 eventually being acquired by its current owner.

The Scottish nobleman is also going to be seen in his red, Ferrari 312 PB. Powered by a flat 12 motor that develops 455 bhp at 11,000 rpm, it is expected to be one of the quickest on the track this weekend.

The Laidlaw 312 PB was one of the Scuderia Ferrari team cars in 1972. It enjoyed a phenomenal run of success in the hands of Ronnie Petersen and Tim Schenken that included first place in the Buenos Aires 1000km and at the Nurburgring. It also finshed second at Sebring and third at Monza, while Jackie Ickx and Clay Regazzoni were second in the Spa 1000km.

The triumphant Ferrari team won its 12th World Sports Car Championship with the 312 PB’s, that year.

The third Laidlaw entry is a single seater Brabham BT7A that was developed for the Tasman Series down under. Racing with a 2.5 and later a 2.7 litre Coventry Climax motor, it enjoyed great success in Australia and New Zealand until it was seriously damaged in an accident in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

It was then returned to Britain during the 1980’s where it was completely rebuilt, expressly for Historic events.

EXECULINE SPRINGBOK SERIES – 02/02/2010

Fresh from a hugely successful meeting at Zwartkops, competitors in the international historic Execuline Springbok Series are all balanced on a knife edge as they await what promises to be an exciting final round at Killarney this weekend.

The shootout among the American muscle cars for instance, is certain to be particularly close. Because with Sarel van der Merwe the target to aim at in his 7-litre Holman & Moody Ford Galaxie that won 23 NASCAR races, as well as the British Saloon Car title, before Bob Olthoff was entrusted to complete a demolition job in it, in South Africa in 1965, the opposition is determined to lower Supervan’s colours.

Leading their attack is Peter Lindenberg, who will be at the wheel of ‘The Animal,” a later model Ford Sierra XR8 that originally acquired a redoubtable reputation in the hands of the ageless Willie Hepburn. Others include the hard charging multiple former Wesbank V8 champion Hennie Groenewald in a Chev Camaro V8, while Mark du Toit has entered a 1959 Chev Biscayne and the brave Andre Mouton is going to be driving his Studebaker Silver Hawk.

Scotland’s Irvine Laidlaw is expected to play a leading role in the sports car and single seater events. His Aston Martin DBR 2/1 in particular, has a proud history. One of only two produced by the factory, it fared exceptionally well in the capable hands of Stirling Moss, during early sports car campaigns in England and America.

Although a last minute withdrawal from the Zwartkops round of the Series, the Aston is confidently expected to be ready for the Killarney final.

Laidlaw’s second car is one of the Ferrari 312 PB’s that formed part of the illustrious team that clinched the 1972 World Sports Car Championship for the Scuderia Ferrari. Powered by a flat, 12 cylinder motor that develops 455bhp at 11,000 rpm, with brakes and roadholding to match, it should be one of the quickest cars on the circuit this weekend.

Finally his open wheel Brabham B17A, with power from a F1 type 2.7-litre Coventry Climax engine of the time, was built for the Tasman Series in Australia and New Zealand.

The sports car entry in general, is particularly strong, with seven Ford GT 40’s, three Porsche 917’s and two Lola T-70’s, as well as a host of smaller cars, expected to face the starter. And while several are replicas, that is not necessarily going to be a disadvantage on the track.

The gates open at 07h.00 on both days, with racing from 10h.50 on Saturday and 09h.30 on Sunday. While adult admission is R80 per day, a discounted R120 weekend ticket is also available at the gate.

Scholars under 16 are liable for R20 pd, but there is no charge for kiddies under 12.

SALOON MUSCLE CARS – 02/02/2010

With a selection of big American V8 muscle cars, setting the pace and making the noise, the saloon car racing during the Cape round of the international Execuline Springbok Series this weekend, promises to be particularly exciting.

The legendary Sarel van der Merwe heads the list in the 427 Holman & Moody prepared Galaxie that was one of a stable first brought to South Africa by Bob Olthoff for the British, Willment Racing Team. Olthoff then stayed on to win the South African Saloon Car Championship in the big Ford, in 1965.

In more recent times, Van der Merwe has had the crowds on their feet as they cheered his sublime control of a car with braking and handling that could never quite match its bulk and straight line speed.

Watersport ace Peter Lindenberg is not far behind in the familiar, but younger Ford Sierra XR8 that was developed from a Group 1 car and then went on to achieve fame as “The Animal” in the hands of the ageless Willie Hepburn.

Other combinations include multiple former Wesbank V8 champion Hennie Groenewald, recently returned from a stint in the United States, who will be at the wheel of a Group 5 Chev Camaro, circa 1969.

Mark du Toit, son of Zwartkops Raceway controller Peter du Toit, has entered a 1959 Chev Biscayne, while a courageous Andre Mouton is driving his 1958 Studebaker Silver Hawk.

EXECULINE CAPE SOUTH EASTER PROGRAMME – 02/02/2010

Gates open at 07h.00 on Saturday, with timed practice from 08h.40 until 10h.40, after scrutineering and the competitors briefing.

Racing then takes place in the following order:
1. Pre 1972 Historic Single Seaters – 10h.50
2. World Sports & GT Car Challenge – 11h.25
3. Safmarine Historic Motorcycle Classics – 12h.10

Lunch
4. Execuline Pre 1966 & 1977 Classic Touring Cars, A,B&C - 14h.00
5. Pre 1974 International Sports Prototypes – 14h.30
6. Fine Cars – 15h.00
7. Pre 1966 Tourist Trophy Sports Cars – 15h.30
8. Execuline pre 1966 & 1977 Classic Touring Cars, D,E&F.
9. Historic Motorcycles – 16h.30.

Sunday begins with a church service at the Clubhouse at 07h.30, followed by a succession of warm-up sessions from 08h.30, before the next event.
10. Marque cars – 09h.30
11. Pre 1972 Historic Racing cars – 09h.45
12. World Sports & GT Car Challenge, pre 1984 – 10h.20
13. Pre 1966 & 1977 Classic Touring Cars A,B&C – 10h.55
14. Pre 1966 Tourist Trophy Sports Cars – 11h.40
15. Pre 1966 & 1977 Classic Touring Cars, C,D&E – 12h.10

The lunch break from 12h. 40, is going to include a drifting demonstration as well as a classic car parade.
16. Pre 1974 International Sports Prototypes – 14h.00
17. Pre 1966 & 1977 Classic Touring Cars, A,B&C – 14h.30
18. Pre 1972 Historic Single Seaters – 15h.00
19. 1-Hour Endurance Race – 15h.30
20. Historic Motorcycles – 16h.40.
21. Pre 1966 & 1977 Classic Touring Cars C,D&E – 17h.15.

Static entertainment on the lawns in front of the clubhouse is going to include a classic car display and a concours for cars of the period on Sunday, where there will be additional prizes for appropriately dressed couples. Books, posters, toys and other memorabilia is also going to be on offer.
Daily admission is R80 for adults and R20 for scholars under 16, with kiddies under 12 admitted free of charge. A discounted adult weekend ticket is available for R120.

FACEBOOK – 21/01/2010

Visit for the official Killarney facebook link.

Please note that the WPMC Club members hourly private hire track fees will increase from 1st Feb 2010 to R400 per hour. This is only open to current members of the club who race and hold current MSA licence's. Only total of 3 members for the hour per booking. Other conditions apply.

DRIVE TIMES – 21/01/2010

Irvine Laidlaw’s Aston Martin DBR 2/1 is seen in the pits at Killarney, prior to a shakedown practice session earlier this week.

The appearance of Irvine Laidlaw’s international historic racing stable during the fourth round of the Execuline Springbok Series at Killarney on the weekend of February 6 & 7, promises to be among the highlights of the meeting.

While no price can be placed on the cars, the rarest and therefore probably also the most valuable, is the Aston Martin DBR2/1 sports car. Created from the short lived Lagonda project, Aston Martin completed two cars, DBR 2/1 and DBR 2/2.

Searching for reliable power, the original V12 Lagonda motor was replaced, initially by a new Tadek Marek designed 3.7 litre straight-6. For the 1958 season this was enlarged, first to 3.9 and later to 4.2 litres.

Before that the cars most notable success in 1957 was a victory in the 1957 Daily Express Trophy meeting at Silverstone, in the hands of sports car specialist Roy Salvadori.

A more ambitious programme in 1958, with the larger engine and the sublime Stirling Moss at the wheel, resulted in DBR 2/1 being first across the line in the Sussex Trophy at Goodwood as well as the British Empire Trophy at Oulton Park. Both DBR’s were then sent to campaign in America. Once there, 2/1 was entrusted to George Constantine, who earned laurel wreaths at Lime Rock and Marlborough.

Staying in America in 1959, and with Moss joining Constantine, the cars won in New York and twice in the Bahamas, before being sent back to Britain.

DBR 2/1 was sold privately after its return. It then acquired the coupe bodywork from DB 3/6 for a while, before being reunited with its original open top.

The astute Scot will also be seen behind the wheel of his red Ferrari 312 PB. Powered by a 3-litre flat 12 motor that develops 455 horsepower at 11,000 rpm, it is expected to be one of the fastest cars at the meeting.

The Laidlaw 312 PB was one of the Scuderia Ferrari team cars in 1972. It enjoyed a phenomenal run of success in the hands of Ronnie Peterson and Tim Schenken that included first place in the Buenos Aires 100km and at the Nurburgring. It also finished second at Sebring and third at Monza, while Jackie Ickx / Clay Regazzoni took second in the Spa 1000km.

The Ferrari team won its 12th World Sports Car Championship with the 312 PB’s, that year.

The third Laidlaw entry in the 2010 South African Springbok Series campaign is a single seater Brabham BT7A, that was developed for the Tasman Series down under. Racing with a 2.5 and later a 2.7 litre Coventry Climax engine, it enjoyed great success in Australia and New Zealand until it was substantially damaged in an accident in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

The car was returned to Britain in the early 1980.s where it was completely rebuilt, expressly for Historic events.

DRIVE TIMES – 21/01/2010

With the Cape round of the international Springbok Series due to be the first major motorsport event at Killarney in the new year, interest among followers of classic and historic cars and motorcycles is already building up.

A loose revival of the original series that took place in South Africa during the golden age of motor racing, in the 1960’s and early 70’s, before unsightly wings and ground effect roadholding, they ground to an abrupt halt when the first OPEC instigated oil crisis caused near heart failure among local enthusiasts after all forms of motor sport in South Africa were banned by government decree.

Before that we were privileged to host many of the best sports car drivers in the world, men of the calibre of extrovert Australians Paul Hawkins and Frank Gardner. The British influx included multiple talents like Formula 1 BRM driver Richard Attwood, who had finished second in the Monaco grand prix and multiple world motorcycle champion Mike Hailwood. Sports car stars David Piper, David Hobbs, Peter Gethin and Mike D’udy were also regular participants.

Piper in particular has been indestructible. Despite losing a leg below the knee after a horrific crash at Le Mans while assisting Steve McQueen during the filming of the actor / director’s feature movie of the same name, he has been a regular competitor in recent revivals. Although noticeably slower now than in his prime, he remains a symbol of the era.

The cars were as impressive and included Piper’s awesome Porsche 917. Designed by a team led by the grandson of the founder of the company, Professor Ferdinand Porsche, the revolutionary 917 was powered by a flat 12, air cooled motor.

First launched in 1969, the original normally aspirated 4.5 litre 917 developed 540 bhp. However the final 7.2 litre turbocharged models specifically designed for the lucrative American Can-Am Series, pushed out an incredible 1500 bhp. However they were not easy to control and even Mark Donahue, who was easily the best development driver of the time, described it as a “monster” after his first test drive. Despite that the car proved so successful that -- as so often happens – the rules were changed and it was effectively banned.

Naturally the original Springbok Series also featured a selection of the best from Ferrari, Lola and Ford. The most popular Ford was the GT-40, a car that was commissioned when Enzo Ferrari pulled out of a deal that would have resulted in his company being absorbed into the giant American organisation.

Ford then threw everything into the design and construction of a car that would beat Ferrari in Europe. With assistance from the brilliant Eric Broadley at Lola, they developed the GT-40, so named for its incredibly low roof height of just 40 inches.

That apart, the current series includes several new features. One of these is that Kyalami is no longer one of the venues. Instead, the meeting in Mine Dump Country is now domiciled slightly further north at the Zwartkops Raceway, a complex that was still a drive-in cinema in those far-off days.

Changes to the Cape South Easter meeting on February 6 & 7 include having the traditional 3-Hour race make way for several shorter events, for a variety of cars and bikes, with the longest of these being a one hour event.

CAR TORQUE – 21/01/2010

International motorsport has been so sensational of late, it’s become like a B-grade Quentin Tarantino movie and almost too absurd to believe.

Although he’s no expert, even Tiger Woods obliged us with his impression of an out of control NASCAR driver the other night.

Before that we had the Max Mosley pantomime. What I found amazing about this one was that although President of the FIA, the controlling body of Formula 1, at the time, he didn’t seem too embarrassed about the sordid affair.

Eventually, after pressure from the manufacturers and others forced him to agree to resign, he then threatened to renege on his promise when Luca di Montezemolo, chairman of Fiat and Ferrari, called him a “dictator”. Under the circumstances I thought that was a pretty mild description of the man.

Then there was an emotional Helio Castroneves, who burst into tears as he pulled into Gasoline Alley after his victory in the prestigious Indy 500 at the end of May. While the sobs were partly because he had won, they also had to do with a possible six year prison sentence for tax evasion that he had escaped when the final charge was withdrawn just two days before the race.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore once made deprecating remarks about Jenson Button being a playboy. Which was no more than the pot referring to the colour of the kettle.

Briatore was banned from F1 for life after being accused of fixing the result of last year’s Singapore grand prix by ordering Nelson Piquet Jnr to crash deliberately, in order to facilitate a victory for Fernando Alonzo the team’s other driver.

Now in an unprecedented step, Briatore is challenging the FIA ruling in an open French court. No-one has ever attacked motorsport’s most powerful body in this way before. But as he is already banned, he has nothing to lose. On the other hand if he wins, and he claims he has a strong case, it could open the door for a string of others who feel they have been hard done by. Can the FIA afford that?

There’s also been no positive exhaust note from the A1 world cup of motorsport since the last minute cancellation of the Australian round at Surfers Paradise. And with the South African event scheduled to take place at Kyalami on February 28, one wonders if there is going to be enough time to get the show on the road again.

Still in Gauteng, there was this euphemistically worded media release informing me that Roger Pearce, the Chairman of Motorsport South Africa had tendered his resignation after a disagreement during a board meeting on Monday and that his resignation had been accepted by the Board of Directors. No word yet about his successor.

But it’s an ill wind...

Because with the oil rich Abu Dhabi now having to help bail out their neighbours in Dubai, they have cancelled their Desert Classic in January. This was to have been another no-expense-spared meeting, with many of the events due to be held at night, under lights. It had originally attracted entries from many of the world’s most renowned Historic racers.

But now that it’s been called off I believe several of the guys are saying, “Ah well, we might as well go to Cape Town then. No hotel to drive through and no Tilke designed circuit. But it’s cheaper and its definitely taking place on February 6 & 7.

2010 MEMBERSHIP – 13/12/2009

The 2010 WPMC membership books are now available in the admin office.

Please note that MSA licences can only be renewed online from 15th December 2009, in order to do this please make sure that you request a proof of membership from Celeste in the WPMC Admin office as you will be required to upload this in order to complete your licence renewal. MSA offices will be opening on the 4th January 2010 if you would prefer to do it then.

WPMC offices will be closing for the December holidays on the 18th December 2009, and will be re-opening on 4th January 2010.