The fourth round of the 2016 Inland Championship saw the Trofeo Challenge and Midvaal Historic categories head to the popular Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 16 July with the biggest entry of the day. Another impressive entry of no less than thirty entries made for some action packed racing.
Race 1
The strong field of Trofeo Challenge and Midvaal Historics competitors
Pole man Martin Botha (Datsun GX Coupe) took the lead ahead of Jackie Morrison (Ford Escort) and Brendon Parker (Datsun GX Coupe). Mossie Mostert (Datsun GX Coupe) slotted into fourth position with Johan Prins (Datsun 160U) and Reghardt van Zyl (Alfa GTV) hot on his heels.
A determined Parker was up to second place before the end of the first lap. John Hendriks (Alfa Sud) was the best of the Trofeo Challenge brigade as he slotted into eighth position. Van Zyl picked up one spot when he passed Prins on lap three.
With numerous battles throughout the field there was action aplenty. When the chequered flag came out it was Botha who claimed a comfortable Overall and class E victory over Morrison and Parker. Fourth placed Mostert took the class F honours with eleventh placed Peder Jensen (Datsun 1200) taking class G. Fifth placed van Zyl took the class X win with sixteenth placed Henry Fourie (Alfa Berlina) taking class H. Hendriks held on to take the Trofeo Challenge win in tenth place overall.
Top 10 Race 1
Martin Botha (MHE) – Best lap 1:13.761
Brendan Parker (MHE) – Best lap 1:15.542
Jackie Morrison (MHE) – Best lap 1:15.513
Reghardt van Zyl (MHX) – Best lap 1:16.903
Johan Prins (MHE) – Best lap 1:16.822
Mossie Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:17.840
Jacques Mostert (MHF)- Best lap 1:18.995
Ted Young (MHF) – Best lap 1:19.983
John Hendriks (TC) – Best lap 1:19.876
Carel Vos (MHF) – Best lap 1:19.209
A triumphant “Mad Martin” Botha took Overall and the class E win for the day
Race 2
Father and son duo Carlos Gameiro in their Alfa Romeo Giulias
A frantic charge through the first few corners saw Parker emerge through turn three in the lead with Hendriks, Jensen and Prins in tow. Newcomer Franz Jensen (Datsun 1200) was the best of the rest with Joe Soares (Ford Escort) and Travis Jensen (Datsun 1200) hot on his heels.
After a less than ideal start Botha was scything his way through the field and slotted into fourth position by lap two! He blasted past Prins and Hendriks before the end of the lap to move into second spot. Prins followed his example as he got past Hendriks to claim third. It took Botha another three laps to find his way past Parker however, but he made his move on lap six to secure the lead once again.
The battle amongst the rest of the chasing pack was just as close with plenty of overtaking setting the pace. Soares passed Peder Jensen for fifth place with Mostert and Morrison relegating Peder by another two places a lap later. Morrison was on a late charge as he got past Mostert on lap seven. He then shot past Hendriks on the penultimate lap of the race to claim fourth.
A triumphant Botha scored his second Overall and class E win of the day with Parker having to settle for yet another second place while Prins was more than happy to pick up third. Fifth placed Soares picked up the class F honours with Jensen taking class G once again. Seventh placed van Zyl took the class X win once again with sixteenth placed Eugene Gouws (Fiat 124 Sport) taking class H. Eighth placed Hendriks held on to take the double in the Trofeo Challenge class.
Top 10 Race 2
Martin Botha (MHE) – Best lap 1:13.820
Brendan Parker (MHE) – Best lap 1:15.058
Johan Prins (MHE) – Best lap 1:17.882
Jackie Morrison (MHE) – Best lap 1:15.298
Joe Soares (MHF) – Best lap 1:18.796
Mossie Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:17.977
Reghardt van Zyl (MHF) – Best lap 1:17.096
John Hendriks (TC) – Best lap 1:19.941
Peder Jensen (MHG) – Best lap 1:19.886
Jacques Mostert (MHF) – Best lap 1:18.584
Newcomer Franz Jensen had a ball of a time in his first outing
The next round will see the series head to Red Star Raceway near Dealmas in Mpumalanga for the first time on the 13th of August.
