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2005 WesBank V8 Supercar Champion, Grant van
Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Jaguar) started his 2007 season off in the best
possible way with 2 wins and the fastest lap in the opening two rounds
of the new single class championship at Kyalami on Saturday (3rd
March).
As predicted, van Schalkwyk and reigning champion,
Hennie Groenewald (Havoline Jaguar), in a brand new car, were expected
to fight it out toe to toe with a bunch of up and coming youngsters
like Jimmy Auby (Bosal Jaguar), Gordon Connelly (Dezzi/Cowan Signs
Jaguar), and Jade Gutzeit in a similar car, proving they are in the
ballpark as well.
Van Schalkwyk led from the start of Race 1 with
Groenewald on his tail. With a clear road ahead of him, he opened up
a 2.38 second lead at the end. Behind them, Jimmy Auby, Zane Pearce
(Hi-Q Jaguar), and a returning Larry Wilford (Fuchs Titan Mustang),
and Gordon Connelly, were nose to tail. Gutzeit was next leading
another talented Marc Auby (Bosal Jaguar), with Franco di Matteo (Deltec
Battery Jaguar) in the hunt. Then came Danie Correia Jnr, who just
gets better and better each time, and Richard Pinaard (Team Permatex
Jaguar).
For the first time in South African motor sport
history an inverted starting grid was used for the second race run
over ten laps with the purpose of pleasing the race fans. This means
that van Schalkwyk had to start in 13th spot, despite being
vocal on how do they expect him to pass so many cars, it was actually
what motor sport is all about. Showing class, he passed all and
swept into the lead on lap 9 after an early lead over Willie Hepburn
(Wynn’s Mustang) and Welkom’s Jaco Correia (Omega Spares Chev
Corvette) spun out on the last corner of the lap.
Franco di Matteo took his chances to slot in 2nd
with Groenewald closing in on him for 3rd. Then came
Connelly, Gutzeit and Porsche racing star, Vernon Bricknell
(Nationwide Airlines Jaguar).
RESULTS
RACE 1
1. Grant van
Schalkwyk; 2. Hennie Groenewald; 3. Jimmy Auby; 4. Zane Pearce;
5. Larry Wilford; 6. Gordon Connelly.
RACE 2
1. Van Schalkwyk; 2.
Franco di Matteo; 3. Groenewald; 4. Connelly; 5. J Gutzeit;
6. Z Pearce. |
