THE HENNIE GROENEWALD STORY

A PAIR OF WINS FOR GROENEWALD IN WESBANK V8 RACING AT PHAKISA

6 May 2007
 


by
Roger McCleery

South African’s fastest racer and reigning WesBank V8 Champ, Hennie Groenewald (Havoline Jaguar), scored two hard-fought wins at Phakisa in the Free State on Saturday to grow his lead in the WesBank Supercar Championship to 25 points over 2005 champion, Grant van Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Jag). 

From pole position in the first race, Groenewald was never headed for 10 laps.   Behind him, 21 year old ex-karter, Jimmy Auby, (Masana Oil Jaguar) kept van Schalkwyk at bay with some inspired driving.   His brother, Marc Auby (Tycon Jaguar) was within reach throughout with Mackie Adlem (Fuchs Titan Mustang), VW Polo Champion, Robert Briggs (Timken Jaguar) and veteran V8 man, Willie Hepburn (Motorsport Logistics Corvette) constantly swapping places. 

Race 2 over 12 laps saw the start grid reversed with Jade Gutzeit (Dezzi/Trysome Musang), Gordon Connelly (Dezzi/Cowan Signs Jaguar) and Hepburn leading the way from the rolling start. 

Gutzeit, a Roof of Africa Motorcycle winner of note, led for 3 laps until Hepburn slid past.   Groenewald, from 10th on lap 1, made good progress through the field, and passed these two into the lead on lap 6.   From then on he led to the end.   The furious race for 2nd place continued for half the race with Hepburn, Gutzeit and Adlem almost abreast of each other at the flag with local man, Jaco Correia (Omega Motor Spares Corvette), waiting to pounce, 5th

Drama aplenty saw Connelly pushed up the boot on lap 1, which caused his bodywork to rub against a tyre.   Van Schalkwyk from 11th  spot on the starting grid, anxious to make up places as quickly as possible, hit Briggs on the 5th corner of the circuit on lap 1 and spun his car, which Marc Auby was unable to avoid.   All three retired with damaged cars. 

RESULTS       

RACE 1

1.         Hennie Groenewald            (Havoline Jaguar)

2.         Jimmy Auby                (Masana Jaguar)

3.         van Schalkwyk            (Hi-Q Jaguar)

4.         Marc Auby                (Tycon Jaguar)

5.         Mackie Adlem              (Fuchs Titan Mustang)

 

RACE 2

1.                  Hennie Groenewald

2.                  Willie Hepburn

3.                  Jade Gutzeit

4.                  Mackie Adlem

 Pics of the WesBank V8 Supercar Championship are available to media at www.tracksidepics.co.za/media.