With power to burn, the big V8 Masters coupes are not always easy to control, as Clive Spolander discovered during a recent off course excursion. With power to burn, the big V8 Masters coupes are not always easy to control, as Clive Spolander discovered during a recent off course excursion.
With an 18-event, all-day programme that has attracted a near-record entry, the third round of the Western Cape main-circuit championship at Killarney on Saturday promises something for everyone.
After missing the most recent meeting, Harp’s Opel Mallock 14 star driver Steve Humble will be back to reassert his superiority in the Sports and GT class. However, he may find Wally Dolinschek (Porsche GT3 Cup) and Dawie Joubert (Lotus Exige) a mite quicker now than they were earlier in the year. Dolinschek is second in the overall championship points tally, level with Peter Little (Class B FvH 7 Mazda), but marginally behind former champion Cyril Ginsberg (Class D Porsche GT3 RS).
The largest entry has been received for the Clubman category where the 56 cars that are due to face the starter include seven potentially race-winning BMWs. Of these, although Achmat Achmat’s E36 triumphed in both events last time out, these victories were conceived in the absence of Roshan Khan and Gavin Cerff, both of whose Beemers are due to face the starter on Saturday. Behind them, while Gareth Easom dominated Class B in his VW Golf at the previous meeting it will not really come as a surprise if he takes strain from Gary Fourie’s Jetta this time round.
With no Class A Classic Car entries in sight as we go to press, it could open the door for Ferdi van Niekerk Jnr in his recently acquired Class X Ford Capri Perana, providing he stays ahead of Sandro Biccari (VW Scirocco) and Dave Alhardeff (Alfa GT Jnr).
The Supercar victory wreath could go any which way. Young Dayne Angel has been showing promise, but whether it’s enough to stay ahead of Andrew Moffitt, Brad Wadeley and Peter Henkel remains to be seen. This should be a close one.
Although GTI Challengers Raymond Johnson, Stiaan Kriel and Greig Edwards are among the Class A drivers to watch in this hugely exciting category, Class B hotshots such as shrewd Ian Long and current champion Jacques Geldenhuys are also there or thereabouts.
While they may not be the fastest on the track, these guys really wring the last kilowatt out of their Volksies and every race becomes a blitzkreig.
With a new lap record tattooed on his chest, Marcel Angel is most likely to claim pole in the big V8 Masters Series events. However, drivers such as Fabio Tafani and Francois Gerber are spending less time off the road as they get quicker and could spring a surprise.
The gates will open at 7am, with the first race due off at 9.30am after final qualifying and warm up sessions. Admission will be R40 for adults and R10 for scholars under 16. There is no charge for kiddies under 12. - Drive Times