Large and small saloon cars will top show

This year, the maestro will be confident of winning both eight-lap heats.

The Zwartkops Raceway’s red Ford Galaxie, traditionally Supervan’s steed in these events, has been revamped.

It will be a lighter, stiffer and better handling car than before, and Van der Merwe’s formidable talents should see him driving it quicker than ever before.

He will face serious competition, though.

Franco Scribante will be out in his Ford Mustang GT350, as will rally ace Leeroy Poulter in the Ford Thunderbolt, Hennie Groenewald (Plymouth Fury), Jonathan du Toit (Chev Nova) and Carel Pienaar (Mercury Comet).

Also able to fight for podium places will be Mark du Toit (Chevelle) Thomas Falkiner (Mustang), Frans van Maarschalkerwaard (Mustang), Ad Verkuijlen (Ford Galaxie), Ferdi van Niekerk (Ford Galaxie), Chris Ballard (Ford Mustang) and Neil Reynecke (Studebaker Lark).

The two-litre class should see a huge fight between people like John Simpson (Alfa Romeo Giulietta), Alan Poulter (Volvo), Brian Cook (Lotus Cortina), Shan Cabrita (Alfa Romeo Giulietta), Clive Densham (Alfa Giulia Sprint) and Denzil Bhana (Ford Anglia).

* The Pre-1966 Little Giants race should be a hectic affair, with Shaun Cabrita (Mini Marcos) the pre-event favourite.

Chasing him hard will be people like Ishmael Baloyi (Ford Anglia), Frank Copping (Renault Dauphine), Peter Collings (Mini Cooper S), Robin Clark (MG Magnette), Josh Dovey (Austin Healey Sprite), Andre’ Reynecke (Volvo P1800) and Trevor Tuck (Alfa Romeo Giulietta).

* The Marlboro Crane Hire Pre-77 Historic Saloon Car field will boast more than 70 cars, with the contestants divided into two groups.

The front end should see drivers like Anton Raaths (Mazda Rotary Coupe), Andre’ Diedericks (Chev Camaro), Johan Pretorius (Ford Escort), Martin Botha (Datsun), Seef Fourie (Datsun), Mike Schmidt (Ford Capri) and Chris Davison (Opel Superboss) fighting for victories.