Spectators and oval racing enthusiasts were treated to some adrenaline rushing action during the hosting of the Oval National Championships at Polokwane Oval on Saturday.
Heavy rain on Friday evening and Saturday morning had racers worried but clear skies later allowed the race to continue. A wet race track caused some challenges for a few racers during the warm-up rounds but the track dried well before the main event.
In the two classes the Ninja Midgets and Super Midgets created a few excitement especially among young spectators. JP Bezuidenhout, Megan Kotze and Marlie Saaiman took the first three positions on the podium in the Ninja Midgets while Quintin Saayman, Johan Swiegers and Rina Kotze completed the Super Midgets class successfully.
In the senior races spectators were treated to seven classes in which 91 racers competed for the first three positions. Willie Blignaut, Hennie de Koker and Nico Grebe were the overall winners of the Stockrod class, while the Super Saloon class was won by Quintin Saayman, Johan Swiegers and Rina Kotze.
In the 2,0 litre Pinto class Tokkos Joubert was given the chequered flag followed by Jack Daniel and Derick Nowell. The 1660 class once again provided top racing action with Pieter van Staden, Heath Bent and Kevin Goncalves competing until the end.
When it came to the 2,1 litre modified class, spectators enjoyed tough competition on the track.
Gerhard Koekemoer gave other racers no chance at the trophy and took first place with Morne Nagel and Dewald Roos finishing second and third respectively.
Local driver André Pienaar won the Hotrod class. Frans Joubert and Albert Bridges had to be satisfied with third and second place respectively.
Willie Zurich triumphed in the high performance V8 Sprints class with Charles Carlson and Kenny Gouws second and third respectively.
Polokwane Oval Promoter Stephan Weideman said the event was successfully hosted, despite the rain. The next event will be the local club challenge on 3 October.
Local racer André Horn has been absent from the oval track for some time after he was diagnosed with cancer recently. A trust account will be opened to collect funds to assist with his medical expenses. Oval racers have already collected
R50 000 which will be deposited into the trust’s account. Details on the account will be communicated at a later stage.
RC Myburgh
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