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By Andre De Kock

Motorsport Correspondent


Sasol Raceday promises a spectacle at Big Z

The Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria will host the Super Series under Sasol's umbrella this Saturday, with all five stakeholders participating.


In the premier Bridgestone Production Car category, the focus of all other competitors will be on beating the Alcohol Killer BMW 335i entries of Johan Fourie and Gavin Cronje.

The Beemers are the quickest cars in the formula this season, highlighted by one-two victories in the previous four races.

That may well change at Zwartkops on Saturday, with the tight and tricky course being Audi’s favourite hunting ground. All-wheel drive nimbleness generally beats sheer power around Zwartkops, and experts expect the results to be true to form.

Thus, defending champion Michael Stephen should start as the logical favourite in his Engen Xtreme Audi S4 on Saturday. However, with little to choose between them in terms of sheer pace, Sasol Audi S4 drivers Gennaro Bonafede and Hennie Groenewald will almost certainly be in the picture.

SURE-FOOTED. The all-wheel drive Audis, like Hennie Groenewald's Sasol S4 example, should start as victory favourites on Saturday.

SURE-FOOTED. The all-wheel drive Audis, like Hennie Groenewald’s Sasol S4 example, should start as victory favourites on Saturday.

Also in the hunt, though not comfortable in the tough Class A jungle yet, will be Simon Moss, in the second Engen Xtreme Audi.

Graeme Nathan currently leads the Class T title chase in his factory VW Golf GTI, with his closest adversaries Gary Formato (Dealer Ford Focus ST) and Michael van Rooyen (Williams Hunt Chevrolet Cruze). They could all be beaten by Lee Thompson in his Castrol Mini Cooper, backed by Mandla Mdakane’s similar car, while Charl Smalberger (Tyremart Golf GTI) will round out the field.

The Bridgestone Production Cars will tackle a 10-lap race in the morning, plus a 16-lap premier race at the end of the day.

Info:

> Adding much spice to the usual Super Series fare will be two races for Inex Legends Cars. Top drivers will include title leader Devin Robertson (Big Boss Auto Yamaha), Jaco Correia (Liqui Moly Yamaha), Ryan Rhode (Legends Yamaha), Seef Fourie (QR Design Yamaha), Franco di Matteo (Varta Batteries Yamaha), Llewellyn Myburgh (Impact Auto Yamaha) and Steve Nel (Legends Yamaha).

> Gates will be open from 7am.

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