The third round of the 2016 Inland Championship saw the Trofeo Challenge and Midvaal Historic categories head to the rustic Midvaal Raceway on Saturday 7 May with their biggest entry of the season heading out for qualifying – thirty two entries in total! Many familiar faces from other forms of Historic racing seem to have joined the ranks – testimony to the success that the Inland Championship continues to enjoy with each passing event.
Race 1
The strong field of Trofeo Challenge and Midvaal Historics competitors
Pole man Colin Ellison (Alfa GT Junior) took an immediate lead ahead of Adrian McCaw (Alfa Alfetta GT 1.8) and Brendon Parker (Datsun GX Coupe). Miguel Ribeiro (Alfa GT Junior) slotted into fourth position with Martin Botha (Datsun GX Coupe) and Jacques Mostert (Datsun GX Coupe) hot on his heels.
A determined Parker was up to second position before the end of the first lap. Ribeiro followed his example and grabbed third position a lap later. Botha was enjoying his first appearance in the series and relegated McCaw to fifth position on lap four.
There was a bit of drama on the seventh lap of the race when Reghardt van Zyl (Alfa GTV) ended his race in a plume of smoke down the back straight. The battle for the lead was far from over with Parker making a bold move on the last lap of the race to clinch the victory ahead of Ellison and Ribeiro.
Top 10 Race 1
Brendan Parker (MH/E) – Best lap 1:17.076
Colin Ellison (TC) – Best lap 1:17.143
Miguel Ribeiro (MHF) – Best lap 1:17.667
Martin Botha (MHE) – Best lap 1:17.935
Adrian McCaw (MHF) – Best lap 1:17.735
Carel Vos (MHF) – Best lap 1:20.201
Jacques Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:19.567
Mossie Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:21.372
John Hendriks (TC) – Best lap 1:21.466
Shaun Lamprecht (TC) – Best lap 1:23.811
A welcome return by Chris Tarboton after missing out on the previous round
Race 2
Brendon Parker was in dominant form
There was early drama in the second race with Carel Vos (Datsun GX Coupe) spinning in front of the chasing pack through turn one on the opening lap. Ellison had a disastrous start as well with his car suffering from a serious misfire as the large field emerged onto the back straight.
Parker made the most of the opportunity as he grabbed the lead with Botha, Ribeiro and McCaw in tow. Shawn Smidt (Datsun 160Y), who didn’t make the start of the first race was scything his way through the pack as well after starting from the back of the grid and was up to fifth place by lap five.
Vos’ woes continued when he and Paddy Venske (Toyota Corona) spun out through turn seven on lap eight dropping both of them further back in the field. Vos was also left to battle with a loose bonnet obscuring his view for the remaining laps in the race as well.
When the chequered flag came out it was a triumphant Parker who scored his second win of the day. Botha held on for a comfortable second with a storming Smidt picking off two more positions on the last lap to claim an impressive third.
Top 10 Race 2
Brendon Parker (MH/E) – Best lap 1:17.835
Martin Botha (MHE) – Best lap 1:17.875
Shawn Smidt (MHD) – Best lap 1:16.230
Miguel Ribeiro (MHF)- Best lap 1:18.844
Adrian McCaw (MHF)- Best lap 1:18.559
Colin Ellison (TC) – Best lap 1:20.702
Jacques Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:20.733
Mossie Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:21.622
Joe Soares (MHF) – Best lap 1:21.590
Reghardt van Zyl (MHF) – Best lap 1:20.314
Colin Ellison took the overall win for Trofeo Challenge
The next round will see the series return to the popular Zwartkops Raceway on the 16th of July.
