After a lengthy lay-off, the WesBank
V8's will take their thunder to the Phakisa Freeway on the 14th of
August for Round 5 of this year's WesBank Super Series. After Round
4 at Kyalami in early June, Brandon Auby (ELT International Jaguar)
leads the Super GT Class championship with 53 points, ahead of his
father Deon in a similar entry, on 32 points. The pair have often
circulated together, as Deon helps son Brandon in his quest
for the championship. However things don't always go according to
plan. Franco di Matteo ( Varta Batteries Jaguar) is third on the
championship table, a single point behind Deon, while Welkom's Jaco
Correia (Liqui Moly Corvette) is just one more point in arrears.
With this trio so close together, there will be no let up for
Brandon at the head of the table. Jaco's younger brother Danie in
the sister Liqui Moly Corvette is fifth, and fresh from his first
outright win in Heat 2 at Kyalami, Danie will want to repeat the
performance, especially in the second heat of the day which will
start with the customary partially inverted grid.
Randfontein's Ben Morgenrood (Ben Morgenrood Auto Jaguar) is up next
in the leader board and although a championship win may be out of
the question, the old veteran can still take it to the younger
chargers and relishes every opportunity to do it. Young Wade van
Zummeren (Border Towing Mustang) lies just one point behind
Morgenrood, and will push his ageing mount to the limit at a circuit
that favours the very brave. Clare Vale (Gatorback/RAM Mustang)
continues to fly the flag for the fairer sex with distinction, and
should be able to fight for points at Phakisa too. Terry Wilford
(Fuchs Lubricants Jaguar) has had no end of trouble with mechanical
gremlins this year, but given a clean run should be able to
surprise, while Harry Mayer (Cherry Active Lumina) will keep a close
watch on the pack ahead in the hunt for a good place. Last but not
least, Vicki Kemp ( Comptech/STC Jaguar) continues in the learning
curve she started at Scribante in May, but should up to the
challenge of the Phakisa Freeway.
In the GT Class, another Randfontein stalwart leads the
standings. Roelf du Plessis (RJ Panelbeaters Mustang) has taken
no prisoners this year and invariably runs with the faster Super
GT Class crowd. Not far behind him is another of SA
motorsport's elder statesmen Larry Wilford (Opel Astra) who
continues to shine in competition. Des Gutzeit ( Dezzie Heavy
Equipment Mustang) has taken a couple of wins this year and
would like a couple more no doubt, with East London's Darron
Gudmanz (Indigo Boats Corvette) keeping him close company race
on race. Romano Sartori (AMC Jaguar) shouldn't be too far behind
the leading pack, and neither should Queenstown's Patrick Seddon
(Lumina), who has run close to the front on occasion this year,
after returning to the fold. Ray Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants
Corvette) should also be in the thick of the action, while Steve
Herbst (Prei Instrumentation Corvette) and Wimpie van Zyl ( Cool
Bond Corvette) should make their debut in this year's
championship.
See you a Phakisa!
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