It will be neutral ground for all the competitors, who will have just a few practice sessions to familiarise themselves with the ins and outs of this East Rand circuit.   Some competitors have raced here with other cars, but none with anywhere near the 450 kW (600 hp) of the current WesBank V8’s, with a top speed of 300 kmh.   These cars require maximum concentration to set up competitive times. 

The WesBank Raceway, built at a former horse-racing track, has a long drag strip main straight, a tight infield, and a banked stadium section with a dangerous “hole in the wall” exit back onto the main straight. 

Reigning South African WesBank V8 Champion, Hennie Groenewald (SP Racing Jaguar), with 4 wins in 6 races, must start as favourite. 

2005 Champion, Grant van Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Jaguar), back from a stint testing a Nascar in the USA. should be the ‘just-married’ Groenewald’s biggest challenger.   The Auby brothers, Jimmy (Tyco Jonnesway Jaguar) and Mark (Masana Petroleum Solutions Jaguar), have other ideas.   Jimmy placed a close 2^nd at the last meeting in Welkom behind Groenewald, with his brother, Marc, two places further back.      Since then both have been testing racing cars in the U.K. and are back in South Africa and all fired up to go. 

Other young drivers in with more than a shout are Gordon Connelly (Dezzi/Cowan Signs Jaguar).  Like Groenewald, he is the only other driver to have a perfect finishing record.   Connelly is a former South African GTi Champion.   Robert Briggs (Timken Jaguar), the reigning VW Polo Saloon Car Champion, has swopped his small saloon for a car boasting more than three times the power.   Both have got their heads down and mixed it with the leaders. 

So has Mackie Adlem (Fuchs Titan Mustang) who was placed 2^nd twice this year, and Roof of Africa winner, Jade Gutzeit (Dezzi Trysome Mustang), who - although driving with an injured arm - still got a 3^rd position in Welkom. 

Welkom’s Correia brothers, Jaco and Danie, in their Omega Parts Corvettes, have swopped roles this year.   Danie, the younger one, has gained more points than Jaco, who, through no fault of his own, has had a few expensive offs just when he was set to add more valuable points to his score. 

Zane Pearce (Hi-Q Jaguar) is having a much better year than 2006, when he experienced many offs.   Larry Wilford (Fuchs Titan Mustang), has won the last 4 regional races in Super Saloon Racing, including two at the WesBank Raceway, and could be the dark horse on Sunday with his intimate knowledge of the track.   His Mustang is known to be one of the fastest. 

More experienced drivers of V8s are expected to be on the leader board, particularly when the inverted starting grid is used in the second of the two races on the programme.   One is veteran Willie Hepburn (Motorsport Logistic Solutions Corvette), who led at Kyalami until he spun, and Vernon Bricknell (Nationwide Airlines Jaguar), a winner at WesBank Raceway in his Porsche.   He is also quick in his V8. 

Franco di Matteo (Deltec Batteries Jaguar), has had some brilliant races lately and is eager to repeat the win he had last year.   Richard Pinard (Team Permatex Jaguar), has got onto the pace since he made a commitment to race at all ten Nationals this year, and clinched a 5^th overall in Welkom.   He lies 10^th overall in this one class championship for V8s up to 6 litres and is a welcome addition to the field. 

Two fathers with racing sons in V8 racing also compete themselves and post competitive times.   They are Deon Auby (Jonnesway Tools Chev Lumina SS), and Des Gutzeit (Dezzi/Trysome Ford Mustang), enjoying every moment in his first year of racing. 

Making a come-back to WesBank V8s are Steve Herbst (Prei Instruments Corvette), and Johnny Eekhout (Johnspeed Cobra Astra).   

Just the sound of 20 V8s growling around WesBank Raceway at high speed on Sunday is worth getting along to see and to get your adrenaline pumping.