Super Series kicks off at Zwartkops

It will be a leaner version of what it used to be.

For one thing, it will lack national championship motorcycle racing, with the two-wheeler brigade deciding to ply their trade elsewhere.

For another, the entries in most of the remaining classes have shrunk – uncertainty while the powers that be squabble among themselves is a killer in motorsport.

But, for better or worse, the show will go on, officially led by a depleted version of the Bridgestone Production Car championship.

In Class A, reigning South African champion Michael Stephen will lead the Engen Extreme team’s onslaught in his Audi S4, backed by the identical Engen Audi of Simon Moss.

Stephen is a brilliant professional with ice water in his veins, while Moss has masses of inherited natural talent.

Their toughest opposition should come from the Sasol Audi S4 team entries of Hennie Groenewald and Gennaro Bonafede.

Groenewald is possibly the country’s best circuit racing all-rounder, while Bonafede is one of the top youngsters to emerge in local motorsport in recent years.

There will also be two BMW 335i entries, in the capable hands of Johan Fourie and Gavin Cronje.

In Class T, current champion Graeme Nathan will race a Golf GTI under the official Volkswagen Motorsport banner this season.

His arch rival, Gary Formato, will lead the Ford Ecoboost team in a Ford Focus ST, backed by the similar car of Shaun Duminy.

Lee Thompson will lead the Castrol MINI team, joined by Engen VW Cup graduate Ryan Rhode.

Thompson is multi-talented and he could certainly win races this season, starting on Saturday.

Michael van Rooyen will re-turn to the fray in his Williams Hunt Chevrolet Cruze, hoping for reliability this season, while youngster Charl Smalberger will join to top ranks in a Sabertek Golf GTI.

In a change from last year, the Bridgestone Production Cars will tackle a 10n-lap race early in the day, with a 17-lap final later in

the afternoon.