Poleman Johann van de Venter leading the tight pack through turn 1 in the first race
The eighth round of the 2016 INEX Legends Championship saw this popular series head to the Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 3 September and joining the Extreme Festival this time round for yet another action packed event.
The traditional ball draw for grid positions saw Johann van de Venter (Big Boss Auto) take pole position ahead of Seef Fourie (Maxtrac / Denmar Steel). Richard van Heerde (Browndeck Roofing) would line up in third place with Anro Stadler (Jentelle Racing) lining up alongside him on the second row. Janeske Viljoen (INEX Legends SA) and Clinton Bezuidenhout (Universal Healthcare) would round out the top six.
Race 1
The first race of the day couldn’t have been closer with a three way battle for the lead setting the tone for the day’s racing. Clinton Bezuidenhout (Universal Healthcare) grabbed an early lead ahead of Seef Fourie (Maxtrac / Denmar Steel) and Justin Robertson (Big Boss Auto). Divan Myburgh (Bamboo Racing) moved up to third a lap later and snatched second place from Fourie before the end of the lap.
The battle for sixth was just as close with Robertson, Lonika Maartens (Maxtrac / Denmar Steel) and Jordan Larsson (N&S Bodyworks / Enviro Aire) fighting for the same piece of tarmac. Maartens and Larsson both got past Robertson on the next lap. The battle for the lead was far from over either. The leading trio ran side by side from turn four to turn six as they jostled for the lead on lap five. With time running out Myburgh made a desperate move around the outside of turn four on the last lap of the race, only to lose the back end of his car, spinning out of contention in the process.
Bezuidenhout crossed the line for a narrow victory ahead of Fourie – 0.131 separating them across the line, while Anro Stadler (Jentelle Racing) held on for a well placed third position.
Race 1 Results
Pro Class Results
Bezuidenhout took a narrow victory ahead of Fourie
Seef Fourie – Best lap: 1:13.184
Shaun Nel – Best lap: 1:13.532
Divan Myburgh – Best lap: 1:13.106
Semi-Pro Class Results
Anro Stadler – Best lap: 1:13.415
Lonika Maartens – Best lap: 1:13.240
Jordan Larsson – Best lap: 1:13.670
Masters Class Results
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:14.203
Richard van Heerde – Best lap: 1:14.648
Steve Nel – Best lap: 1:15.740
Young Lions Class Results
Clinton Bezuidenhout – Best lap: 1:13.258
Altan Bouw – Best lap: 1:14.269
Race 2
Nel fought hard for a well deserved overall podium finish in race 2
The second race of the day picked up where the first had left off. Once again there was a three way battle for the lead but this time out it was Shaun Nel (Royal Purple Oil) who joined the party. Divan Myburgh grabbed the lead from the front row with Nel and Robertson in tow. Fourie took third position on lap two and then proceeded to take second place on the next lap. Nel wasn’t about to give up without a fight and the three way tussle for the lead was born.
Bezuidenhout was scything his way through the field and slotted into fourth place on the same lap. Once again the battle behind the leading pack was just as close with Maartens, Larsson and Robertson at each other’s throats once again. Bezuidenhout dropped back with two laps to go as gearbox and braking problems slowed his pace.
Fourie took the lead on the last lap to claim a narrow victory ahead of Myburgh and Nel who were separated by 0.100 of a second across the line!
Race 2 Results
Pro Class Results
Young Altan Bouw put in a sterling performance to finish top ten in every race
Seef Fourie – Best lap: 1:13.084
Divan Myburgh – Best lap: 1:13.432
Shaun Nel – Best lap: 1:13.812
Semi-Pro Class Results
Lonika Maartens – Best lap: 1:13.423
Anro Stadler – Best lap: 1:13.395
Jordan Larsson – Best lap: 1:13.805
Masters Class Results
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:13.908
Richard van Heerde – Best lap: 1:15.195
Steve Nel – Best lap: 1:15.516
Young Lions Class Results
Altan Bouw – Best lap: 1:14.554
Clinton Bezuidenhout – Best lap: 1:13.218
Race 3
Victory on the day went to Seef Fourie taking 2 out of 3 race wins
The third and final race of the day was another action packed affair. Larsson grabbed an early lead ahead of Robertson and Bezuidenhout. Bezuidenhout took second place a lap later and then proceeded to grab the lead on lap three. Larsson then came under attack from Myburgh and Robertson.
The drama struck on the fourth lap however when Myburgh and Larsson touched heading into turn four. Myburgh spun out from the resulting contact with the rest of the chasing pack scattering in all directions. When the dust had settled it was Bezuidenhout who was still in the lead. Seef Fourie was up to second with Maartens and a recovered Larsson in tow. Fourie grabbed the lead on lap seven but Bezuidenhout didn’t make it easy for him either. Stadler was also on a late charge as he snatched fourth place from Larsson on the penultimate lap of the race.
Fourie held on for his second victory in a row with Bezuidenhout and Maartens claiming second and third places respectively.
Race 3 Results
Pro Class Results
Robertson fighting out front took 3 wins on the trot in the Masters class
Seef Fourie – Best lap: 1:13.221
Shaun Nel – Best lap: 1:13.927
Divan Myburgh – Best lap: 1:13.528
Semi-Pro Class Results
Lonika Maartens – Best lap: 1:13.629
Anro Stadler – Best lap: 1:13.765
Jordan Larsson – Best lap: 1:14.111
Masters Class Results
Justin Robertson – Best lap: 1:14.456
Richard van Heerde – Best lap: 1:14.950
Steve Nel – Best lap: 1:15.479
Young Lions Class Results
Clinton Bezuidenhout – Best lap: 1:13.602
Altan Bouw – Best lap: 1:14.848
The next round of the INEX Legends Championship will see them return to the Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria on the 17th of September where they will be back with the growing in popularity Inland Championship race series.
