Round 6 of the WesBank V8 Supercar Championship will be remembered for
a classic second heat, thanks largely to the reverse grid format,
which again called for aggression and determination at this, the
most difficult circuit for these 500hp GOODYEAR shod monsters.
Before elaborating on a thrilling Heat 2, in the Super GT Class
Brandon Auby and his father Deon (ELT International/SKF Jaguars)
dominated Heat 1 from the lights, after starting on the front row.
The pair just ran away, but behind them, Ben Morgenrood (Ben
Morgenrood Auto Jaguar) led a four car train throughout the 12 laps.
Danie Correia (Liqui Moly Corvette), Franco di Matteo (Varta
Batteries Jaguar) and Terry Wilford (Fuchs Titan Mustang) stuck to
the Randfontein veteran like glue, and crossed the line in that
order. Jaco Correia, (Liqui Moly Corvette) who returned after his
huge crash at Phakisa, did not start Heat 1 until the second last
lap, following a problem with his power steering. A noteworthy
performance was that of Vicki Kemp (Comptech/STC Jaguar) in her
first race at the Big Z in the WesBank V8 Supercars. The young PE
star ran ahead of some of the more established names until a spin in
the latter stages, when she came upon Jaco Correia after he'd joined
the fray, and went off line trying to pass him.
In the GT Class Larry Wilford (Mustang) kept things under control
leading from the start, but he was then dropped one place in the
running order after the race for a yellow flag infringement. He
still won the class from Des Gutzeit (Dezzi Heavy Equipment Mustang)
with Romano Sartori (AMC Jaguar) in third and Steve Herbst (Prei
Instrumentation Corvette) in fourth. Ray Wilford (Fuchs Titan
Corvette) was lucky to escape serious injury after his high speed
exit off the circuit at turn 3, severely damaging his car. Ray broke
his wrist and suffered slight concussion.
For the second race, Terry Wilford found himself in pole position in
the Super GT Class, with Danie Correia behind him in second spot.
His older brother Jaco was at the back of the field after completing
only two laps in the first 12, but no sooner had the lights turned
green he took off. At the front, the field kept a semblance of order
for the first lap, after which all hell broke loose. Harry Mayer
(Cherry Active Lumina) cannoned into Vicki Kemp's Jaguar at the
hairpin on lap 2, with both cars spinning off, but managing to
rejoin. Roelf du Plessis (RJ Panelbeaters) then made contact with
Larry Wilford and Sartori, while Jaco scythed through the field with
impunity. His younger brother then took the lead of the race, with
Terry Wilford losing places rapidly, after breaking his gear lever.
Di Matteo then inherited second spot, with Brandon and Deon not far
behind him. Jaco however was in scintillating form and after passing
both Aubys, then set after Di Matteo who resisted initially but
succumbed a little later. Not to be outdone, Brandon then passed the
Varta Batteries Jaguar as well, which saw Danie, Jaco and Brandon
were nose to tail for the remaining laps. One would have thought
that given the points gap in the Championship between Jaco and
Brandon, Danie might have let his brother through into the lead to
try and regain some of the points lost after the non finish in heat
2 at Phakisa and the preceding heat of the day, but Danie was not to
be denied, and duly took a deserved win from his sibling and Brandon
after a thrilling 15 laps. This was his second outright win after he
broke his duck at Kyalami in May, and he has obviously acquired a
taste for winning. Di Matteo finished fourth, with Deon Auby in
fifth. Brandon extended his lead in the Championship still further,
and will be difficult to beat in the remaining 3 rounds.
In the GT Class, Des Gutzeit lead the pack initially, ahead of
Sartori and Darron Gudmanz (Indigo Boats Corvette) but Larry Wilford
was soon past them all, and getting close to Clare Vale (Gatorback/RAM
Mustang). As he attempted to pass her at the entrance to the table
top, Larry found the door firmly shut in his face and went off line
in order to avoid colliding with the Mustang. Darron Gudmanz then
seized the opportunity and in a flash was through into a lead which
he kept to the flag. It was a welcome boost for the East Londoner,
who did not finish Heat 1 with a rear suspension problem. Wilford
still managed to finish second, with Sartori in third. Des Gutzeit
made a spectacular exit from the race when he ran out of brakes and
circuit at turn 4, with a lap to go. Unlike the Super GT Class, the
GT Class Championship is still wide open, and a winner will be
difficult to predict.
The next WesBank Super Series race meeting will be held at Killarney
on 02 October – catch you there for more exciting action! |
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