GT Cup SA – Sports and GT race
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The Southern African National Endurance Series (SAES) connected by Vodacom 4U returned with an electrifying display of motorsport, bringing seven thrilling two- and four-wheel races to Aldo Scribante Raceway in Gqeberha on Saturday, 5th April 2025. The large crowd in attendance was treated to an action-packed spectacle, showcasing some of the finest racing talent in the country.
The opening race of the day, marking a historic moment as the first night race for the category, saw Damian Hammond dominate the SA GT Cup. Competing in his Liqui Moly/Samlin Racing Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo, Hammond secured victories in all three races, although the final win was far from straightforward. Despite a fierce challenge from Charl Arangies, who led at times, Hammond showed his mettle and eventually took the top spot.
Damian Hammond dominate the SA GT Cup winning all three races
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In qualifying, Hammond claimed pole position by 0.394 seconds over Andrew Horne’s Xena Chemicals Ligier-Honda JS49. Roy Obery’s Haval Edenvale Porsche 991.2 MR followed in third, with Nicky Dicks’ Curvent Porsche GT3 Cup rounding out the top four.
As night fell, the first race kicked off at 18:30, bringing an entirely new challenge for the drivers. While Hammond quickly pulled ahead, Arangies showcased his skill, slicing through the pack to take second. Behind them, a fierce battle unfolded, with Porsche drivers Dicks, Mo Mia, and Andrew Horne trading positions. Marius Jackson, who started from the back in his Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo, fought his way up to third before a technical issue forced him to pit.
Race two the next morning saw Hammond extend his dominance, finishing 29.7 seconds ahead of Arangies, who was followed by Dicks. The day’s final race was the closest of the weekend, with Arangies challenging Hammond for the lead. The two went wheel-to-wheel, with Hammond eventually securing the win by a slim 3.4-second margin. Horne came in third, followed by Mia, Dicks, and Obery.
In the motorcycle events, the Senior SBK class featured intense action with 1000cc and 600cc SBK machines competing alongside the Battle of the Twins (BOTTS) and Masters classes
Reigning MRSSA Champion Adolf Boshoff took pole position aboard his Honda CBR 1000, but it was Yamaha rider Dino Iozzo who took control during the races.
Motorbikes race
Image: Supplied
In race one, Iozzo held off Boshoff to secure victory by 17 seconds. The battle for the final podium spot was just as exciting, with Damion Purificati edging out Tristan Pienaar after a brilliant move through the backmarkers. In the 600cc class, Ora Phiri maintained his rising reputation, securing a dominant win ahead of Taigh van Rensburg and Troy Tonking.
The second race saw Iozzo under pressure from Boshoff, but the Honda rider’s luck ran out after a collision resulted in him crashing out. The race was red-flagged after Iozzo and Ryan Van Nieuwkerk collided, but Iozzo rebounded to win, with Purificati taking second and Phiri securing the 600cc victory again.
In the Open and Unlimited bike categories, Johan Le Roux emerged victorious in the first race before Cristian Caravello made a stunning recovery to win the second. Mark Gaines topped the overall Open Superbike class, while Le Roux claimed the day’s Unlimited 1000cc honours.
In the Junior SBK class, Tristin Pienaar was unbeatable, claiming two victories with comfortable margins over his competitors, Jamie Hall and Fergal McAdam.
The second round of the Southern African Endurance Series delivered on all fronts, offering an unforgettable display of motorsport action. With thrilling battles across multiple classes, fans were treated to some of the best racing in the region. The next round of the series will take place at Killarney Raceway in Cape Town on June 6.
IOL Sport
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