The WesBank V8 Supercars travelled to
the Free State on the weekend, to contest Round 5 of the WesBank
Super Series, and in perfect spring- like weather a good crowd was
treated to two exciting and eventful races.
After qualifying on Saturday morning, in the Super GT Class, Brandon
Auby (ELT International/SKF Jaguar) took pole position, with local
favourite Jaco Correia (LiquiMoly Corvette) in second. At the start
of heat 1, the pair kept their front row positions, and led the
field from lights to flag. Behind them, Deon Auby (ELT
International/SKF Jaguar) took a trouble free third place, while in
fourth Ben Morgenrood ( Ben Morgenrood Auto) fended off a race long
challenge from Franco di Matteo (Varta Batteries Jaguar) and Wade
van Zummeren (Border Towing Mustang).
In the GT Class, championship leader Roelf du Plessis (RJ Panel
Beaters Mustang) did not make the grid after bending an engine valve
during qualifying. On pole, Larry Wilford (Midas Sport Mustang) shot
off the grid to lead Des Gutzeit (Desmond Equipment Mustang) and
Darron Gudmanz ( Indigo Boats Corvette) for the first few laps.
However Wilford then slowed with a battery problem, which allowed
Gutzeit to take first, with Gudmanz in third.
Heat 2 again started from a partially inverted grid, and Harry Mayer
(Cherry Active Mustang) led the field into turn 1. Before long
however , Ben Morgenrood had shot to the front, with Jaco Correia,
who had started in 8th place, living up to his hero status at his
home track, running in second place! Behind the leading pair, Terry
Wilford (Fuchs Mustang) was doing a good job of holding third place
ahead of Van Zummeren and the Auby boys. Wilford then spun off,
while Brandon made his way to the front. In the GT Class Larry
Wilford again led from Gutzeit and Gudmanz.
Drama then struck on lap 5. Jaco Correia's car slid off the track in
turn 1 and at some 200kph, slammed through the tyre barrier and
armco railing, eventually stopping almost on the access road behind
the barrier! It was a huge crash, from which it seems Jaco escaped
luckily with nothing more serious than severe bruising. The safety
car was brought out, and that allowed Brandon Auby to close right up
on the leader Ben Morgenrood. In a last lap sprint, after the safety
car had been recalled Auby passed Morgenrood to take the win, with
Deon Auby again third and Danie Correia in fourth.
In the GT Class, Larry Wilford retired with terminal battery
problems, while Darron Gudmanz also benefited from the safety car
period and driving brilliantly, took the win. Des Gutzeit who had
dropped back with a puncture, crossed the line with his left rear
tyre in shreds, but still finished second in class.
The title chase in the GT Class is now again wide open, while in the
Super GT's Brandon has opened up a comfortable lead, which will be
difficult to overhaul.
The next round of the WesBank V8 Supercars takes place at Zwartkops
International Raceway on the 11th of September. |
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