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!
