Summarize

Something old, something new at Killarney

It may seem an age since the last Western Cape Karting Championship race back in May, but the wait is over as the Killarney Kart Track prepares to host the fifth round of the championship to commence the second half of the season Saturday 22 July. There are several close title fights going down, while other drivers will be keen to stop one or two thus far dominant performances and a new experimental class should attract attention too.

That new DVS class promises an interesting alternative to local karters with drivers drawing their equal specification engines out of a hat at the start of the weekend instead of using their own equipment in a move seen by some as a most interesting kart racing alternative. Several of the Cape’s top karters will be giving the new class — also said to be SA’s quickest — a go at Killarney, with the likes of Luke Herring, Dino Stermin, Jason Coetzee and Sebastian Boyd among those expected to race.

Getting back to the tried and tested, Julian van der Watt missed the last race, which clashed with his main circuit Formula 1600 domination last time out, but he now no longer needs to drop any points, an anomaly that keeps him in a close DD2 championship lead over fellow CRG pilot Umpie Swart (EMR). The effervescent Jonathan Thomas (Partners Hair CRG) is within striking range and Andrew Rackstraw, Tristan de Nobrega, Delano Fowler and Christopher Vrettos are keen to upset the applecart. Masters drivers Jacques De Bruyn, Andrew Thomas and Ernst Viljoen set to fight over the title of Best Old Man too.

Luke Herring is on a Senior Max roll aboard his LHR RKT Kosmic — not only does he hold a handy WP title advantage, but he comes home off a splendid iDube national where he won to move into that championship lead too. But young Luke has a target on his back with Jason Coetzee (RKT Kosmic), Umpie Swart (EMR CRG), Dino Stermin (RKT Kosmic) and Andrew Rackstraw all within a few points of each other and fully intent to unsettle the championship leader and who knows if any wildcards will turn up this weekend?

Jason Coetzee leads the high school Junior Max title chase aboard his RKT Kosmic, but iDube national winner Sebastian Boyd (Boyd Boss Freight Kosmic) will be chipping away at his advantage. Other Juniors to watch include Simon Simpson-Heath, Nicholas Sage, feisty Worcester farm kid JP Hamman (Hammanshof Kosmic) and the Lanfear family — Storm and his sisters Gabi and Jade. and SA international CIK-FIA Academy karter Charl Visser will miss this round thanks to a date clash with the Finnish Academy round.

Tate Bishop has enjoyed a good season so far aboard his TPB Kosmic and leads the primary school Maxterino 60cc title chase from Kyle Visser (Charl Electric Zanardi), SAKRA Academy racers Dylan Snell, Jason MacBeath, Denis Joubert, Paul Malcolm and Lucas Royston; Reza Levy (ALR) and Mikhail Fernandez. But don’t ignore Troy Dolinschek who is likely to be fighting up front in what is pretty much guaranteed to be a great Maxterino spat as ever this weekend. 

Joseph Oelz (Kosmic) will be keen on another three race wins to keep his advantage alive in the other primary school Mini Max class, but Kai Van Zyl (SAKRA Kosmic), Tate Bishop (TB Kosmic), Sibo Solomon (Kosmic), Thaqib Meyer Andre Le Riche and Liam de Beer will have other plans — all of them fully intent to unsettle the firm favourite.

Valentino Hoffman (GP Energy FA Kart) may have won in the junior primary Micro Max of late, but Joaquin De Oliveira (ESA Partner FA) leads him in a splendid title battle split by just two points. Reza Levy (ALR CRG) Julius Schwager (FA), Mischa Williams, Reese Koorzen and Ethan Stier and Reese Koorzen are all ready to steal Micro race wins too. 

Reese Koorzen will be out to repeat his recent baby Cadet honours, but championship leader Joshua Smit and Ethan Deacon who sits second in the title chase, will be out to make sure status quo is maintained. Luan Mostert, Eric Norman and rookie Yusuf Parker will also be out to prove a Cadet point this weekend.

Isabelle Fowler has been the form girl in the WP Clubmans class recently, but the Stellenbosch lass sits behind Jody van Rensburg and Andrew Thomas in the Class A title chase and she will be keen to find her way to the top of that championship table. Kyle Poulter leads Class B from Willie Ras and Marco Wiegers and Class C is being fought out by Lamahl Padayachi, Terry Watt and Charles Matthewson, all of whom will be keen on good weekends at Killarney.

Killarney Raceway is on Potsdam Road, Killarney Gardens with the kart track situated across from the main circuit pit complex. There’s always a cool atmosphere at the track with entertaining commentary and great grub and drinks at the clubhouse in the pits. Entry is R60 per adult, R20 for under-16s and under-12s are free.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of WPMC Kart Club

What:WP Karting Round 5 Preview
Where:Killarney Kart Track
When:22 July 2017
Community:

For further information please contact secretary@wpmckarting.co.za

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