The WesBank V8 Supercars travel to “ The Big Z” on the 11th of
September for the SASOL Race Day, Round 6 of this year's WesBank
Super Series.
After dominating the last round at Phakisa with pole position and
two race wins, Brandon Auby (ELT International/SKF Bearings Jaguar)
enjoys a comfortable 29 point lead in the Super GT Class. Jaco
Correia (Liqui Moly Corvette) lies second on the table, but the
Welkom star is still feeling the after effects of his horrific crash
in Heat 2 of Round 5, and has entered the Zwartkops round pending
medical permission. Deon Auby (ELT International/SKF Bearings
Jaguar) lies third on the Championship table, a single point behind
Jaco, and after two solid and trouble free third places in the Free
State, looks set to slot in behind Brandon in the title race, with
just four rounds to go.
Franco di Matteo (Varta Batteries Jaguar) also has designs on
improving his position in the Championship, and should be a front
runner at Zwartkops. Jaco's younger brother Danie Correia (Liqui
Moly Corvette) will hope to thwart their efforts, as he tries to
protect his sibling's position during his return to full fitness.
After his first win at Kyalami in May, and a strong showing in front
of his home crowd at the last round, Danie will fancy his chances at
the tight and twisty Pretoria West venue.
Ben Morgenrood (Ben Morgenrood Auto Jaguar) showed he has lost none
of his aggression and ability by leading throughout Heat 2 at
Phakisa, until the safety car was called out following Jaco's crash.
That allowed Brandon to close in and win the last lap sprint for the
chequered flag, but the Randfontein veteran could still snatch a win
before season's end and Zwartkops might just be the place in which
to do it, given the inverted grid format used for Heat 2. East
London's Wade van Zummeren (Border Towing Mustang) is next up on the
Championship leader board, and the youngster may just surprise some
of the more fancied runners ahead of him. Clare Vale (Gatorback/Ram
Mustang) will trade punches with the rest of the pack again and may
dent some egos, while Harry Mayer (Cherry Active Lumina) would no
doubt like to celebrate his first full year in the WesBank V8
Supercars with a fine performance. Terry Wilford (Fuchs Titan
Mustang) has had his fair share of mechanical woes, which coupled
with the odd off track excursion have accounted for his poor
championship position, but his speed and pace should still make him
a threat. Rookie Vicki Kemp (Comptech/STC Jaguar) rounds off the
Super GT Class field, and on her first visit to Zwartkops will keep
an eye on the rest of the pack and apply her experience thus far to
staying out of trouble.
In the GT Class, any one of four drivers could take the spoils at
Zwartkops. After some serious, no holds barred competition at every
round thus far, Des Gutzeit ( Dezzi Heavy Equipment Mustang) tops
the standings with 42 points. Gutzeit won Heat 1 at Phakisa, but
then crawled across the line in 2nd place in Heat 2 with a shredded
left rear tyre. The win in Heat 2 went to Darron Gudmanz(Indigo
Boats Corvette) and the East Londoner now lies just two points
behind Gutzeit in the standings. Roelf du Plessis (RJ Panelbeaters
Mustang) is third, a single point behind, but he owes his drop in
the standings to a non start at Phakisa in Heat 1 and a non finish
in a borrowed machine in Heat 2. Barring any more mechanical
trouble, Roelfie should be fun to watch at Zwartkops, as he tries to
reclaim top spot in the title chase. The last member of this
dominant quartet is Larry Wilford ( Mustang) who has led almost
everywhere, but has been robbed by gremlins that have crept into the
works. Given a trouble free run, these four will have the” Big Z”
faithful fans on their feet, such has been the level of competition
between them. Not far behind them should be Romano Sartori ( AMC
Jaguar), and Patrick Seddon (Opel Omega), the latter returning after
missing the Phakisa round. Ray Wilford (Fuchs Titan Corvette) has
had a frustrating season largely because of poor reliability too,
but he knows Zwartkops well, and has often shone in lower formulae
there, so a good result would be a boost for the remainder of the
season. Steve Herbst (Corvette) made his return to WesBank V8
Supercars at Phakisa, following a medically enforced lay off, but
should nevertheless be in the thick of the action as it unfolds
ahead of him. |
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