Zwartkops primed as host for Historic Tour season opener

Rich racing heritage will return to its traditional home this Saturday (15 April) when the Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria will host the opening round of the 2023 Historic Tour, with more than 130 participants taking to the tarmac.

Saloons and GTs

Topping proceedings will be two races for Marlboro Crane Hire Pre-1966 Legend Production Cars.

Victory contenders must include Ben Morgenrood (Ford Mustang), Jonathan du Toit (Chevrolet Nova), Hennie Groenewald (Mercury Cougar), Mark du Toit (Ford Fairlane) and Paige Lindenberg (Ford Fairlane).

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The Little Giants class will include John ten Doeschate (GSM Dart), Roger Houston (Alfa Romeo Giulia), Kyle Brink (Mini Cooper), Terrence Botes (Mini Cooper), Robin Clarke (MGB GT) and Brian Rowlings (Ford Anglia).

The day’s quickest lap times should come from the Pre-1974 International Sports Prototype brigade, with front runners like Larry Wilford (Lola T70), Mark du Toit (Lola T70 Spyder), James Temple (Shelby Daytona Coupe), Hennie Groenewald (Chevrolet Camaro), Warren Lombard (AC Cobra) and Ben Morgenrood (Ford Mustang).

With 31 entries, the Ben Morgenrood HRSA category will boast the largest field, with victory favourites like Peter Bailey (Porsche 911 RSR), Rudolf de Vos (Chevrolet Firenza Can-Am), Andre van der Merwe (Porsche 911 RSR), George Avvakoumidess (Porsche 911 RSR), Richard Pott (Porsche 911 RSR), Stuart Konig (Volkswagen Scirocco), and Darren Gudzman (Chevrolet Firenza Can-Am).

The On Track Clubmans races should see tough dicing between drivers like George Economides (Volkswagen Golf), Ishmael Peck (Lotus 7), Dirk Lawrence (Honda Ballade), Lenard Archer (Honda Civic), Kobus Brits (Volkswagen Polo), Rodney Kruis (Honda Ballade) and Roshaan Goodman (Honda Civic).

The hard-to-predict Ben Morgenrood Group Pursuit races could have front drivers like Werner Hartzenberg (Porsche 916), Robin Clarke (MGB GT), Riaan Roux (Volkswagen Scirocco), Gerrit Murray (Alfa Romeo GTV), Willem van Niekerk (Marauder), Johann Smith (Nissan Skyline) and Greg White (Ford Escort).

Single-seaters

Front runners in the Historic Single Seater heats must include Andrew Horne (Royale), Ben van der Westhuizen (Royale), Patrick Dunseth (Merlyn), Des Hillary (Dulon), Michael Kernick (Formula Vee), Josh Dovey (Chevron B29), Colin Clay (Lotus 23C) and Matt Nash (Van Diemen).

The Formula Monoposto brigade will bring 23 entries to the party, including drivers like Herman Krige (Formula M), Luschen Ramchander (Formula Vee), Didier Diederichs (Formula Vee), Earl Swartz (Formula Vee), Ludivicus Gerber (Formula Vee), Neville van den Berg (Formula M) and Allen Meyer (Swift).

Entry and cost

The Zwartkops gates will be open from 6am, with racing to commence at 10am. Food and drink will be on sale or you may bring your own, and you are more than welcome to braai on the banking next to the circuit.

You may visit the pits on foot at any time. The Zwartkps Mini Moke trains will run between the pit gate and the various viewing points throughout the day.

Admission will cost R100 per adult and R80 per student, while kids under the age of 12 can go in for free. For more information, call the Zwartkops office at 012 384 2299 or visit the Zwartkops website at www.zwartkops.co.za.