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Hennie Groenewald (Havoline Jaguar), tied up the Wesbank V8 Supercar
and GT1 Championship with ease in Race 1 at Phakisa Raceway in Welkom
at the weekend. With 3 points needed to win the title, he had only
to finish 5th to do the job. He did better than that in
the first race. He finished in 2nd place, to come home
the champ.
2005 reigning champion, Grant van Schalkwyk (Hi-Q Jaguar), did all he
had to do – win – and hope Groenewald would fail to score. Winning
he got right – his 4th win of the season. Groenewald,
however, cruised home to 2nd spot, a second behind him each
time to take the title.
Jimmy Auby (Bosal Jaguar) was close to Groenewald in 3rd, with
hometown boy, Jaco Correia (Omega Spares Corvette) 4th,
ahead of Steve Smith (Cool Cat Jaguar). Other challengers for a race
win were Veron Pappas (Havoline Jaguar) and Zane Pearce (Hi-Q Jaguar)
who both went off the circuit.
In
the GT2 Class the championship leader, Terry Wilford (Fuchs Titan
Mustang), was getting his hands around the championship trophy when
along came Jade Gutzeit (Dezzi/Cowan Signs Mustang), and other
challengers who have all won races this year. In the end, Gutzeit,
Gordon Connelly (Dezzi/Cowan Signs Jag) and Willie Hepburn (Wynns
Ford) took the top 3 places. Wilford lodged a protest against
Gutzeit for aggressive driving. His protest was upheld..
The
second race was an action replay of the first heat with van Schalkwyk
getting his second win of the day ahead of Groenewald and Auby.
Connelly won the second GT2 race for 412 kW cars in his Jaguar, ahead
of di Matteo (Deltec Jaguar) and Gutzeit. Wilford, now under
pressure, has it all to do in the final two races of the season at
Kyalami at the end of November.
RESULTS
GT1 CLASS - RACE 1
1.
VAN SCHALKWYK 2. GROENEWALD 3. AUBY 4. CORREIA
GT2 CLASS - RACE 1
1.
CONNELLY 2. HEPBURN 3. WILFORD 4. F. DI MATTEO
GT1 CLASS - RACE 2
1.
VAN SCHALKWYK 2. GROENEWALD 3. AUBY 4. ADLEM
GT2 CLASS - RACE 2
1.
CONNELLY 2. DI MATTEO 3. GUTZEIT 4. WILFORD |
