De Carvalho set the tone in qualifying in his beautiful racer
The Alfa Trofeo Series gathered at the popular Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 16 May for the third round of the 2015 championship.
With a sprint race format set for this event the racing was expected to be fast and furious.
For the second time in as many races the youngsters from the MG Youth Project were invited to join the fun as well and entered two cars for the event.
Race 1
Holt had a good run in the MG
Pole man Jose De Carvalho (155 GTA Twin Spark) led the charge down to the first corner with John Hendriks (Sud), Shane Coetzer (33) and the rest of the field in tow.
Phillip Hendriks (Sprint) slotted into fourth position with Kyle Viljoen (145) and Christopher Tarboton (Berlina) hot on his heels. Gavin Holt was making good progress in his MG with series newcomer Danny Kloes (GTV) also finding some pace. Coetzer’s race ended before it had begun however when his car ran bearings on lap three, forcing him into immediate retirement and putting a premature end to his race day.
With the leading trio on a charge out in front the fight for the minor positions was far from over. MG Youth Programme competitor Holt was making good progress as he passed both Tarboton and Viljoen to pick up fourth position by lap four.
The battle behind the MG front runner was heating up with Viljoen under huge pressure from Tarboton and Kloes as well. The crowd on the pit wall held their breath as the trio ran three abreast heading into turn one on lap five. Tarboton managed to pass Viljoen to grab fifth position. Kloes then relegated Viljoen to seventh a lap later as the latter struggled with under steer. A last lap move then saw Kloes grab fifth position from Tarboton as well.
When the chequered flag dropped it was De Carvalho who claimed an easy victory. Hendriks Junior had to work hard as he only just held on to second place ahead of his father.
Tarboton and Singh had a close tussle
Race 1 – Results
Jose De Carvalho – Best lap 1:20.072
John Hendriks – Best lap 1:24.796
Phillip Hendriks – Best lap 1:24.716
Gavin Holt – Best lap 1:25.010
Danny Kloes – Best lap 1:25.550
Christopher Tarboton – Best lap 1:26.735
Race 2
Hendriks Senior and Kloes both picked up great results
The second race of the day picked up where the first one left off with De Carvalho grabbing the lead through the first corner with John and Phillip Hendriks in tow. Bhagved Singh took over from Holt for the second race and slotted into fourth position on the opening lap as well.
Kloes was the man on the move however as he manoeuvred past Singh, Hendriks Senior and Hendriks Junior to claim second position by the end of the first lap! Hendriks Senior followed his example as he passed his son to take third position a lap later. Tarboton was also on a charge as he took fifth position from Singh on the same lap.
Viljoen scuppered his chances when he ran wide coming out of turn eight at the halfway point of the race, leaving bits of splintered spoiler all over the infield. Hendriks Senior continued his charge as he closed in on Kloes and then passed him to grab second position on the sixth lap. Tarboton followed his example as he got past Hendriks Junior to pick up fourth as well. Race leader De Carvalho then found the limits of his car as he lost the back end of his car through turn one, unfortunately hitting the wall backwards. He then tried to get going again but had to admit defeat as he retired down the back straight.
Hendriks Senior picked up the lead and charged home to claim the race win. Kloes had an inspired drive as he netted a well-deserved second position. With Hendriks Junior slowing with overheating problems late in the race, a surprised Tarboton was happy to pick up a respectable third position.
The addition of the Youth Programme MG’s to the field has certainly added some colour to the series
Race 2 – Results
Phillip Hendriks – Best lap 1:23.916
Danny Kloes – Best lap 1:24.858
Gavin Holt – Best lap 1:24.322
Christopher Tarboton – Best lap 1:24.457
Cameron McLeod (MG MGB) – Best lap 1:26.373
Kyle Viljoen – Best lap 1:26.789
Overall Results
Category 1 – Phillip Hendriks
Category 2 – Christopher Tarboton
Category 3 – Anthony Theobald
Alfa Youth Category – Kyle Viljoen
MG Youth Category – Gavin Holt / Bhagved Singh
The fourth round of the championship will be held at the rustic Midvaal Raceway on Saturday 20 June. Be sure not to miss out on the action!
The Alfa Trofeo Series set out to the historic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday 28 March for the second round of their championship.
With a number of new cars and drivers in the field, as well as a bumper twenty one car entry, the racing promised to be action packed. And the drivers in the field did not disappoint either, with some of the closest handicap racing in recent memory on display!
Being the generous and friendly club that they are, Alfa Trofeo Chairlady Mandy Griffin invited the youngsters from the MG Youth Project to join in on the fun.
Qualifying was an exciting affair with a big difference in speed and lap times being seen between the front and back of the field. This set the tone for lots of overtaking opportunities and some exciting racing from the competitors in the field, provided that the handicap timing was appointed correctly – and it couldn’t have been more spot on!
The first round of the 2015 racing season for the Alfa Trofeo Series kicked off at the rustic Midvaal Raceway in Meyerton on 14 February.
With the usual mix of youth and experience in the field the racing was as entertaining as always.
Race 1
Jose Jardim (Guilia Sprint) led the field away from the start line with Corrie Tolmay (Guilia) coming out of retirement to return to the fray. Series newcomer and Youth Programme rookie John Hendriks (1982 Sud) was next off the line with Werner Nortje (Alfetta) hot on his heels. Defending champion Anthony Theobald (1966 Guilia) followed soon thereafter with Christopher Tarboton (Guilia) not too far behind.
Viljoen impressed in his loan car to walk away with the Youth Programme honours and third Overall on the day
The defending champ honoured the number 1 plate with a top three result in the second race as well as second Overall on the day
Hendriks (left) impressed under stressful conditions in his first ever event
Series stalwart Paul Griffin (1984 Sud) would start from seventh position with stable mate Ralph Kernes (Alfetta) right behind him. Youth Programme regular Kyle Viljoen (1982 Sud) impressed during qualifying and would start from ninth position ahead of Gerrit Faling (GTV), with scratch man Jose de Carvalho (GTV6) starting 2:50 behind the race leader.
The opening laps saw the usual jostling for position with overtaking by the faster cars happening rather early in the race – thanks to the long back straight. The risk in this would of course mean that there was a good possibility of breakouts on the times nominated for the race. Scratch man de Carvalho was already up to third position by the fifth lap and promptly took the lead on the penultimate lap of the race!
When the chequered flag came out it was de Carvalho who crossed the line ahead of Jardim and Griffin. Hendriks finished in a respectable sixth position in his first ever race. These results were only temporary however as the handicap nominations still had to be applied.
With more than half of the field breaking out of their nominated times, the final race results were as follows:
Race 1 – Results
Gerrit Faling
John Hendriks
Werner Nortje
Anthony Theobald
Kyle Viljoen
Race 2
With the nominated handicap times for the second heat being revised, a closer race was on the cards.
Once again the first few laps saw the field jostling for position. With the mid pack being rather evenly matched, this led to a few thrilling moments through the tighter stuff and down the back straight.
When the chequered flag came out it was Tarboton who took the win ahead of a hard charging Viljoen, with Nortje taking a respectable third position. Once again a number of competitors broke out of their nominated handicap times, and when the handicap percentages were applied the results looked very different:
Race 2 – Results
Gerrit Faling
Ralph Kernes
Anthony Theobald
Jose de Carvalho
Paul Griffin
Overall Results
Gerrit Faling
Anthony Theobald
Kyle Viljoen
Werner Nortje
John Hendriks
Ralph Kernes
The next event will be held at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand on Saturday 28 March. A bumper field is expected with some fantastic racing on the cards. Be sure not to miss out on any of the fast paced racing action!
