by
Roger McCleery

20 Wesbank V8 Supercars have entered for the penultimate round of the Wesbank V8 Supercar Championship at the Phakisa International Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday (14^th October).  This track in the Free State loved by all competitors is one that shows off the capabilities of South Africa’s fastest cars to the full on its superfast and slow corners where drivers can pass and re-pass. 

Well on his way to his first Wesbank V8 and GT1 titles is Hennie Groenewald in his well prepared Havoline Jaguar.    With 11 wins from 16 races and a 53 point lead in the championship over reigning champion, Grant van Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Jaguar) only extreme bad luck, mechanical misfortune or non-appearance at the races will prevent Groenewald scoring the 3 points he needs in the final four races at Phakisa and at Kyalami in November to take the title.   One never knows in motor sport.    Van Schalkwyk with 3 wins this season under his belt is certainly going to keep trying to stop Hennie Groenewald taking the title from him. 

The third man in the GT1 Class battle is the talented Mackie Adlem (Fuchs Titan Mustang) who won at Phakisa in April and could pull off a few surprises on Saturday. 

In front of his home track fans, Jaco Correia (Omega Spares Corvette), who has finished at high as 2^nd overall this year, is fired up on a track he knows well and on which he shines.    There is a battle royal raging in the GT1 Class for 450 kW cars all using 5.7 litre American V8 Chev or Ford engines.   Here the two Auby brothers, Jimmy and Marc (Bosal Jaguars) and their father Deon (Jonnesway Tools Chev Lumina) – a family that is unique in world motor sport, who are all reasonably new to Wesbank V8 racing have shone from the word go.     It is hard to choose the fastest in the family as they are all competitive racers. 

Up against the Auby’s in this group are Zane Pearce (Hi-Q Jaguar) who has had touches of brilliance this year and also a few off days and non-finishers.    A few dark horses, all with top credentials, are in with a shout as well.    Veron Pappas (Caltex Havoline Jaguar) the ex South African 250 Karting Champion, can live with the best and is expected to ride shotgun for his teammate Hennie Groenewald.   Steve Smith (Cool Cat Carriers Jaguar), with a few 2^nd places to his credit, desperately needs a win.   Roelf du Plessis (Venter Motors Chev Lumina), the overall champion in 2000, can - if his car handles to his liking – beat all comers. 

Johnny Eekhout (Johnspeed Cobra Opel Astra), is due to make one of his rare appearances in the smart looking 300 kmh car he has just built. 

GT2 Class cars have the same 5.7 litre engines but produce a little less power, at 412 kW.   Terry Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants Ford Mustang), has had a good season with just a few hiccoughs.   He leads the class by 22 points but has off-road motorcycle champion, Jade Gutzeit (Dezzi/Cowan Signs Ford Mustang) closing fast. 

Wilford, after 6 wins from 7 races at the start of the year, hasn’t won since Round 7 at Zwartkops in May.   Gordon Connelly (Dezzi/Cowan Signs Jaguar), then had a win or 3, as did Gutzeit, and the evergreen V8 fundi, Willie Hepburn in his Wynns Mustang.   Franco di Matteo (Deltec Batteries Jaguar) got into the habit of winning with 3 victories.    So Wilford is under pressure and needs to get across the line first at Welkom to consolidate the position he has at the top of the points log. 

Danie Correia (Jaco’s brother) in the Omega spares Corvette from Welkom has started to earn points.   East London star, Wade van Zummeren (Border Towing Chev Camaro), who needs a new car, can certainly give chase or win.   Coming into the line-up with a brand new car in the GT2 Class is the boss-man of Nationwide Airlines in his Jaguar, Vernon Bricknell.    He has a long history of being an ultra successful racer in powerful Porsches.   This car should suit his style of driving. 

Wesbank V8 Supercars have provided top high speed entertainment and close racing this year.   Saturday in Welkom will be no exception.