Classic V8 racing at Zwartkops
Round 6 of the WesBank V8 Supercar Championship will be remembered for a classic second heat, thanks largely to the reverse grid format,
which again called for aggression and determination at this, the most difficult circuit for these 500hp monsters.
Before elaborating on a thrilling second heat, in the Super GT Class, Brandon Auby and his father Deon (ELT Jaguars) dominated Heat 1
from the lights, after starting on the front row. The pair just ran away, but behind them, Ben Morgenrood (BM Jaguar) led a four-car train
throughout the 12 laps.
Danie Correia (Liqui Moly Corvette), Franco di Matteo (Varta Jaguar) and Terry Wilford (Fuchs Mustang) stuck to the Randfontein veteran
like glue, and crossed the line in that order. Jaco Correia, (Liqui Moly Corvette) who returned after his huge crash at Phakisa, did not
start Heat 1 until the second last lap, following a problem with his power steering.
A noteworthy performance was that of Vicki Kemp (Comptech Jaguar) in her first race at the Big Z in WesBank V8s. The young PE star ran
ahead of some of the more established names until a spin in the latter stages, when she came upon Jaco Correia after he'd joined the fray,
and went off line trying to pass him.
In the GT Class, Larry Wilford (Mustang) kept things under control leading from the start, but he was then dropped one place in the
running order after the race for a yellow flag infringement. He still won the class from Des Gutzeit (Dezzi Mustang) with Romano Sartori (AMC
Jaguar) in third and Steve Herbst (Prei Corvette) in fourth. Ray Wilford (Fuchs Corvette) was lucky to escape serious injury after his
high-speed exit off the circuit at turn 3, which severely damaged his car. Ray broke his wrist and suffered slight concussion.
For the second race, Terry Wilford found himself in pole position in the Super GT Class, with Danie Correia behind him in second spot.
His older brother Jaco was at the back of the field after completing only two laps in the first 12, but no sooner had the lights turned
green than he took off.
At the front, the field kept a semblance of order for the first lap, after which all hell broke loose. Harry Mayer (Cherry Lumina)
cannoned into Vicki Kemp's Jaguar at the hairpin on lap 2, with both cars spinning off, but managing to rejoin. Roelf du Plessis (RJ Panel
beaters) then made contact with Larry Wilford and Sartori, while Jaco scythed through the field with impunity. His younger brother then took
the lead of the race, with Terry Wilford losing places rapidly, after breaking his gear lever.
Di Matteo then inherited second spot, with Brandon and Deon not far behind him. Jaco however was in scintillating form and after passing
both Aubies, set off after Di Matteo who resisted initially but succumbed a little later. Not to be outdone, Brandon then passed di Matteo
as well, which saw Danie, Jaco and Brandon nose-to-tail for the remaining laps.
One would have thought that given the points gap in the Championship between Jaco and Brandon, Danie might have let his brother through
into the lead to try and regain some of the points lost after the non-finish in heat 2 at Phakisa and the preceding heat of the day, but
Danie was not to be denied, and duly took a deserved win from his sibling and Brandon after a thrilling 15 laps. This was his second
outright win after he broke his duck at Kyalami in May, and he has obviously acquired a taste for winning. Di Matteo finished fourth, with
Deon Auby in fifth. Brandon extended his lead in the Championship still further, and will be difficult to beat in the remaining three
rounds.
In the GT Class, Des Gutzeit led the pack initially, ahead of Sartori and Darron Gudmanz (Indigo Corvette) but Larry Wilford was soon
past them all, and getting close to Clare Vale (Gatorback Mustang). As he attempted to pass her at the entrance to the table top, Larry
found the door firmly shut in his face and went off line in order to avoid colliding with the Mustang. Darron Gudmanz then seized the
opportunity and in a flash was through into a lead which he kept to the flag. It was a welcome boost for the East Londoner, who did not
finish Heat 1 with a rear suspension problem.
Wilford still managed to finish second, with Sartori in third. Des Gutzeit made a spectacular exit from the race when he ran out of
brakes and circuit at turn 4, with a lap to go. Unlike the Super GT Class, the GT Class Championship is still wide open, and a winner will
be difficult to predict.
The next race meeting will be held at Killarney on 02 October - catch you there for more exciting action!