The Historic Tour will head to the popular Phakisa Freeway circuit in the sleepy Free State town of Welkom for the seventh round of the 2016 race season on Saturday 10 September. With the tour heading into the last few events of the season a number of front runners lead their respective classes and categories.
Jannie van Rooyen (1976 VW Scirocco)
Hubi van Moltke (1976 Mercedes Benz 280E) continues to hold the Overall and class G lead in the Marlboro Crane Hire Pre 79 Saloon Car category. He has managed to edge out a narrow seven point gap over class D leader and second placed man Jannie van Rooyen (1976 VW Scirocco). Class E leader Gert Botes (1967 Ford Escort MK1) jumps up three places and is only eight points behind van Rooyen. Fanie Kloppers (1974 Mercedes Benz 280) drops back one place to fourth but is only mere points behind Botes.
A train of other drivers are well within striking distance as well – Class F leader Quentin Willis (1977 Ford Escort), Alan Poulter (1965 Volvo 1800), Class C leader Anton Raaths (Mazda R100), Paige Lindenburg (Ford Escort), Ralph Cramer (Mercedes Benz 280E), Colin Ellison (Alfa Romeo GTA M) and Mike O Sullivan (BMW 2002) are all within a point or two of each other and all stand a realistic chance of a top six result.
The Pre 84 Sports and GT Championship continues to produce some close racing action of its own. George Avvakoumides (Porsche 911 RSR) currently has a nine point lead in the Overall and class C championship ahead of Fred Konig (Porsche 911 RSR). Werner Hartzenberg (Porsche 928) finds himself in third place and first in class F with Fritz Kleynhans (Porsche 911) seven points adrift, albeit first in class E. Class A leader Dino Scribante (Tiga) drops back to fifth position with Peter Jenkins (Chevron B19) a solitary point behind him. Mike McLoughlin (Cobra) missed the previous event but is expected to be back to take on the rest of the pack. Both he and Stefan Puschavez (Porsche 911 RSR) are tied on points for sixth position.
With some very accurate timing this season the HRSA Handicap Racing Series continues to be a close run affair. Stan Stacey (Alfa Romeo GTV 2.5) holds a narrow four point lead over Jose Vasques (Mercedes Benz 280) and Rob van Aarle (Ford Escort 1300 Super) who are tied on points for second place. Darren Cramer (Mercedes Benz 280E) is further back in a fairly safe third position with Stuart Grant (Mercedes Benz 190E) in fourth. Bert van Aarle (Ford Capri 1600GT) has some work to do in fifth position, a solitary point ahead of Rob Clark (Citroen CX2200) as well. With more than half a dozen other drivers all within striking distance of the top six the strategies and racing are expected to be closer than ever.
Ian Schofield (Mygale SJ), Andrew Horne (Royale RP31) and David Jermy (Van Diemen RF90)
The Formula Ford Kent single seater category continues to see the close and competitive racing that it has become so well known for. Andrew Horne (Royale RP31) tops the leader board with a twenty point advantage over David Jermy (Van Diemen RF90). Dean Venter (Mygale) is now a solitary point behind Jermy with veteran Ian Schofield (Mygale SJ) a further seven points adrift. Andy Schofield (Reynard) and Dalan Holton (Van Diemen RF90) are tied on points for fifth position. With a dozen other capable drivers in the field the racing is expected to be closer than ever.
The Sabat Lotus Challenge has certainly been one of the most exciting categories on the tour. Gerdus Smit (Locost Rocam) currently leads the overall title chase, albeit by a mere two points ahead of Juan du Toit (Locost Rocam). Jeff Kruger (Lotus Birkin 7) is a further ten points behind the leading pair with Rob Gearing (Lotus Birkin 7) further adrift. Johan Powell (Locost Rocam) and Jeff Gable (Lotus Birkin 7) find themselves in fifth and sixth places respectively and are well within striking distance of Gearing. With at least a dozen other entries in the field the racing through the classes should be as exciting as ever.
Barry & Dewald Nel (Datsun 1600J) is leading the GeyserWorx Endurance Championship Historic Saloon Car class by a mere 4 points over a tied for second place for Djurk Venter (Ford Escort) and Hubi Von Moltke (Mercedes-Benz 280CE). The Historic Sports & GT class is comfortably led by Alex Gillespie (Chevron B19). His closest rival Colin Ellison (Alfa Romeo GTAM) will hope for a good result to close the gap. Peter Jenkins (Chevron B19) will make a welcome return after missing the Red Star round of the championship.
Racing is expected to start at 09:45 in the morning with the day finishing with the 3 hour Endurance race from 16:00.
For any enquiries, photographs or media reports on The Historic Tour feel free to contact Paul Blackburn on 082 900 6443 or media@racepics.co.za.
