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The ever growing and popular Historic Tour will visit the Red Star Raceway outside Delmas this coming weekend the of June 3 2017. Boasting with some of the most beautiful historic and classic cars putting up one of the best racing shows in South Africa, this prestigious event will also see a world champion compete in the event this coming weekend.
Greg Thornton, Lead Driver and team owner of Titan Historic Racing is a former FIA Masters Historic Formula 1 World Champion (2013) and has won many races all around the world spanning from Europe to Australia.
In 2016 he competed in the Passion for Speed event at the East London Grand Prix Circuit where he broke the original Formula Junior record set by John Love back in the 60’s. He will be seen competing in the Alfa Trofeo, Historic Saloon and Historic Endurance races on the day alongside our very own Colin Ellison who invited Thornton for the weekend.
Metal Used Alfa Trofeo Challenge
As the competition heats up in the Alfa Trofeo Challenge the sparks are expected to fly when Thornton joins the grid amongst the Alfisti’s. Bjorn Gerbert, in his powerful FAS Alfa Romeo GTV6 is expected to the lead the challenge out front after his dominating win at Phakisa. Mario Rossi (FAS Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT) will have to fend off the likes of Keagan Pottas (Advanced Integrated Pest Management Alfa Romeo GTV) and Greg Thornton (Scuderia Ellison Alfa Romeo GTam).
Further down the grid Jose de Carvalho (PowerMods Alfa Romeo 155) is expected to lead the challenge between himself, Christopher Tarboton (Alfa Romeo Berlina), Cuan Helen (Alfa Romeo Junior) and Henry Fourie (Alfa Romeo Berlina). Rookie Rynhard Grabe (Alfa Romeo Sprint) will be hoping he can improve his race craft as he visits this technical track for the first time after a high at Phakisa.
Images: Racepics.co.za
Marlboro Crane Hire Pre-1980 Historic Saloons
Mixed results have been the theme in the popular Historic Saloon categories. New kid on the block Johann Smith (1976 Mazda Carella RS) is currently leading class D with Paige Lindenberg (Lindenberg Racing 1968 Ford Fairlane) trailing by only 4 points. Matters will be complicated for them as Greg Thornton (Scuderia Ellison 1970 Alfa Romeo GTam) joins this challenge accompanied by Colin Ellison (Scuderia Ellison 1970 Alfa Romeo GT Junior) and Jannie van Rooyen (Nucleus Supply Company 1971 VW Scirocco). Neil Lobb (1976 Fiat 131) is expected to lead the class E challenge joined by Marius Verwey (1974 Datsun GX Coupe).
Joint overall championship and class F leader Deon van Vuuren (Veridex 1977 Ford Escort Mk1) will have his work cut out for him as he will face fierce competition from the likes of Mike O'Sullivan (1969 BMW 2002), Rene van Rensburg (1976 Ford Escort Mk2), Dave Leyshon (1976 VW Scirocco) and defending champion Hubi von Moltke (1976 Mercedes-Benz 280CE).
The class G battle will be headed up by class and joint overall championship leader Marco Verwey (1972 Datsun de Lux) and Harry Lombard (AB Brickworks/PSA/Hamptons 1966 VW Beetle). Ralph Cramer (Blue Hemisphere Airconditioning 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280E), Kirsten Venter (Lindenberg Racing 1968 Ford Escort) and Jan Jacobs (Olifantsfontein Training Centre 1965 Alfa Romeo GT Junior) will pose a big threat as they are looking for better results to climb the
championship ladder.
Class H will see the likes of Steven Neofitou (Cheese for Africa 1978 Mini 1275 GTS) and the combined drive of Brian Fraser and Chris Williams (Shoestring Racing / RDG 1963 Ford Anglia) battle it out at the back of the grid.
Also part of the Saloon car races will be the Classic Thoroughbreds with the likes of race veteran Willie Hepburn (Sabat 1981 Opel Rekord V8). A tough battle is expected between Barry Nel (Taska Engineering 1978 Datsun 1600J), Kyle Murray (Fulrace Engineering 1985 Nissan Sentra) and Colin Green (Paintcor 1981 Mazda 323). In his first race championship newcomer but race veteran Stewart McLarty (Telscrew Products 1979 Mazda 323) will be out to prove he has what it takes to be a championship contender.
Charlies SuperSpar Historic Pursuit Racing
The newly branded and ever growing Charlies SuperSpar Historic Pursuit Racing will look at entertaining crowds once again with their catch-me-if-you-can handicap style racing. Hanging onto the overall championship lead Johan Swanepoel (SA Customs 1968 Alfa Romeo Berlina) will need to ensure he gets full marks for consistency against the likes of Rob van Aarle (Ace Auto Salvage 1969 Ford Escort 1300 Super), season newcomer Mike Thomson (Dynamoter Electrical 1972 Ford Capri) and Harm Beens (Generator Works 1976 Ford Escort). With much more than just a handful of other competitors also out to prove a point they will have their work cut out for them on the day.
Pre-1990 Sports & GT Cars
All lot of excitement has brought about a real buzz in the Tour pits with some of the fastest cars starting to appear on the grid again. To crown, Greg Thornton will take to the track in the Scuderia Ellison 1971 Chevron B19 in the Dave Charlton colours as it was raced back in the 70’s as part of the Springbok Series at Welkom. He will be facing a star line-up of Porsche’s by the likes of Peter Jenkins (Nucleus Supply Chains 1974 Porsche 911 RSR), Wynand van der Merwe (1974 Porsche 911 RSR), Fred Konig (Nothern Bolt & Tool 1974 Porsche 911 RSR) and George Avvakoumides (Ocean Basket 1974 Porsche 911 RSR). They will be joined by Peter Bailey and Fritz Kleynhans in their 911 Porsche’s.
Hamptons Historic Endurance Series
The highlight of the day is expected to be the second compliment for the season of the Hamptons Endurance Race. At Phakisa Mr. Consistency, Colin Ellison, took the overall win in the Chevron B19. This time round he will have Greg Thornton as race partner to defend his good showing at Phakisa. Out to challenge them will be Wynand van der Merwe and Peter Jenkins in their 911 RSR’s.
Season newcomer Stewart McLarty and Keagan Pottas will also be joining the Endurance Series for the first time this season. Index of Performance winner at the previous round, Jan Jacobs will be looking to defend against the likes of Hubi von Moltke and Paulo Mateus (Tweek Performance 1981 BMW).
The Lotus class entrants will welcome the entries of David Jermy (Taylon Motorsport 2011 Lotus Birkin 7), Jeff Gable (Jacquet Racing 2010 Lotus Birkin 7) and Carel Schaap (Adaptive Resource Engineers 2006 Birkin S3).
Investchem Formula Ford Kent
With Investchem Formula Ford Kent missing out on the Phakisa round current championship leader Dean Venter (DESCO SA / Manitou Group 1996 Swift) will be looking at capitalising on his Zwartkops results after beating defending champion Andrew Horne (Xena Chemicals / Budd Power 1998 Van Diemen RF98) on the day. David Jermy (Matt Nash Motorsport 1990 Van Diemen RF90) who had to play second fiddle to Venter and Horne most of the season last year will want a good result to cement his championship challenge. Jeff Gable (Jacquet Racing 2003 Van Diemen) together with a bunch other competitors will however keep them on their toes in this highly contested championship.
Sabat Lotus Challenge
Current championship leader Jeffrey Kruger (2000 Lotus Birkin 7) will be hoping for some more of the consistency he has enjoyed so far this season in the Sabat Lotus Challenge in order to stretch his lead even further overall and in class B. Jeff Gable (Jacquet Racing 2010 Lotus Birkin 7) will however do his best to challenge and narrow the gap Kruger has like he did at Phakisa.
After their epic battle at Phakisa, David Jermy (Mixtec cc 2011 Lotus Birkin 7) and Thomas Falkiner (Adaptive Resource Engineers 2016 Toyota Taylon 7) might be joined this time round by Sean Hewitt (Gavin Hewitt 2012 Birkin S3) and Carel Schaap (Adaptive Resource Engineers 2006 Birkin S3) to make it a four way tussle for a podium position.
Class T will see entrants to the likes of Anton Muller (Tornado Marketing 2007 Lotus Birkin 7) and Neil de Later (Tornado Marketing 2011 Lotus Birkin 7) duelling out front in their turbo cars. Current class L leader Juan du Toit (Multichoice 2011 Locost Rocam) will have his work cut out fending off Wesley Maxwell (Maxwell Advertising / Leet Racing 2010 Locost Rocam), Ben Knights (2012 Locost Rocam) and season newcomer Mackie Adlam (Adlam Auto Racing / Leet Racing 2010 Locost Rocam).
Qualifying is set to commence at 7.30am and racing proper is expected to start at 9.30am. The Endurance race is expected to start around 4.15pm the afternoon. Entrance will cost you R50 per person.