Mechanical failure holds Mark and Michael back
Mark van der Westuizen and Michael Ludick both had to withdraw from the first round of the championships.
After a postponement due to rain, the first round of the South African National Drag Racing Championships was well underway on March 29.
Local racers, Mark van der Westhuizen, Micahel Ludick and Leon du Plooy headed out early Sunday morning to Tarlton International Raceway to give it their best shot at the first round of the championships.
“It was a nice sunny day with no rain I managed two 8.59sec runs with an exit speed of 252km/h,” said Leon du Plooy, racing his Turbo Extreme Clinic Nissan Bakkie.
Leon finished fourth in his class in the eliminations and as trouble would have it, on his last run his boost pipe came off, forcing him to drive cautiously and slowly down the strip.
“But I am happy with fourth place and with how my bakkie is performing,” he said.
Michael and Mark on the other hand, had to pull out after the first qualifier, having both broken down.
On Mark’s first run the gear linkages on his third and fourth gear broke.
“He still managed a 10.1sec without having a fourth gear,” said Leon.
Michael had a great burn out, warming his tyres ready for his first run but unfortunately his clutch decided to call it a day, bringing his run to a dead stop.
“With Mark’s bakkie we will need to remove the gearbox and fit new linkages, and with Michael’s we just need to fit a new clutch, its not too much work so they will be ready for next round,” said Leon.
With recent events the three local guys will be itching to tear it up come next round of the nationals which is set for May 1.
Come out and support locals Leon, Mark and Michael when they take to the strip on Worker’s Day.
