Historic V8s set to thrill at Zwartkops

Over the years, the spectacle of large, V8-engined saloon cars driven on the limit has become a major contributor to the popularity and success of South African Historic Car racing.

As the category grew, cars found their way into the hands of some the country’s top drivers.

That will again be the case at Zwartkops this Saturday, during the International Historic Passion for Speed Festival.

The day’s top crowd drawcard should be two races for Pre-1971 Champion of Champions Production GT Cars, with the entry list including some of the biggest current names in local motorsport.

Driving V8-powered saloon cars will be Leeroy Poulter (Ford Fairlane), Jeffrey Kruger (Chev Nova),  Hennie Groenewald (Ford Comet), Mark du Toit (Chev Camaro), Ben Morgenrood (Ford Mustang),  Lee Thompson (Chev Camaro), Thomas Falkiner (Ford Mustang), Colin Clay (Datsun 240Z) and  Stuart Grant (Chev Camaro).

Overseas drivers will include Donald Duncan from Britain (Chev Camaro) and Michiel Campagne (Chev Corvette Grand Sport).

Equally spectacular should be two heats for SKF Pre-1966 Legend Production Cars.

Heading up ten V8-engined cars will be maestro Sarel van der Merwe (Ford Galaxie) and Hennie Groenewald (Plymouth), with experts predicting a huge war between the two aces.

Other top contenders will  include Jonathan du Toit (Chev Bel-Air), Paolo Cavalieri (Ford Galaxie), Mark du Toit (Chev Biscayne) and Thomas Falkiner (Studebaker Golden Hawk).

Three overseas Ford Mustangs will join the fray, in the hands of Christian Nordahl (Sweden), plus Frans van Maarschakwaard and Harm van Putten of the Netherlands.

A great variety of vehicles will contest two races for Little Giants – Pre-1968 Production and Sports Cars.

There will be D-Type and E-Type Jaguars, GSM Darts, a Mini Marcos, Mercedes-Benz Fintails, Ford Anglias, MGAs, an Austin A35, an Alfa Giulietta Sprint, MGAs and MGBs.

The races will boast two lady drivers, in Chloee Fu (GSM Dart) and Melanie Spurr, in a rare Ford Consul 315.

The Historic programme will also include races for Classic Production Cars, with a huge entry including the ex Tony Viana Winfield BMW 750, Robbie Smith in a Ford Capri, various BMW 325s, a Ford Fairlane, Escorts, Datsuns, Mazdas and a VW Scirocco.