Summarize

Cape Town race fans can rest assured that the 2017 race season will start off with a bang when the Bold Marine Western Cape GTi Challenge hits the track for the first time this year to commence another thrilling season’s racing at Killarney’s Wingfield Power Series races Saturday 18 February.

With a first race field set to pass 30 entries and several new cars still in build and due to join the season as it progresses, there are several new combinations set to start fresh battles throughout the field as well as old rivalries festering in what is without doubt one among SA’s finest and hardest-fought race series and Saturday’s action should not be missed as it sets the ante for another thrilling season ahead.

The front of the field sees three familiar faces and three newcomers in Class A, where regular frontrunner Jano van der Westhuizen (Bessie Bester Polo) takes on the ever improving Umpie Swart (Alpine Autohaus Polo Classic) and Colin Nicholas Meder, who should have his new Polo up to speed this weekend. Van der Westhuizen will run a dual race program this year in GTi Challenge and the national Engen Volkswagen Polo Cup, while Swart will be keen to put is 2016 Polo Cup experience to best use at home…

Those three will however have to keep a close eye on some new Class A combinations in the form of the ever-rapid Shane Du Toit, who steps up from his winning ways in Class B to pilot a Jetta, while another Polo Cup exponent, John Craig returns to GTi action in his Polo Vivo and series sponsors Bold Marine will run Chris Roberts in the team’s Jetta. 

Class B starts the season with nine entries and several others set to follow, but all eyes will be on top trio, 2016 class champion Eden Thompson (Golf I GTi), Jacques Geldenhuys (Ferroli Golf II GTi) and Peet Van Der Walt (PSV Polo Classic), while Mario Roux (Jetta) and Miguel Pasqualli (Golf 1 GTi) are always factors. However, expect the returning Craig Du Toit’s trick new Jetta II to stir up that Class B pot, and then some while Silver Moon Racing duo, ever improving son Earl (Golf 1 GTi) and dad Joseph (Polo) and his gentleman racer sparring partner Wayne Field (Golf II GTi) complete the Class B pack.

More than half the 2017 Bold Marine GTi Challenge field comprises Class C cars and the Brat Pack without doubt demands the biggest interest. Overall 2017 Bold Marine GTi Challenge champion Bryan Morgan takes the Number 1 plate to war on his Greatsoft MRD Golf 1 GTi this year, against a most compelling 17-car field comprising 16 Golf 1 GTis and a lone Polo.

Two former Class C champions — Marco Busi (Automan) and Chris Swart (Spongebob) are among the pack out to wrest that Number One from Morgan’s grip this year, while Jarryd Simpson (Greatsoft) and on-form 16-year old former karter, Polo Cup-bound Giordano Lupini (MRD) are also recent race winners in the class.  Two talented newcomers should shake up the Class C action in former Supercar champion Brad Wadeley and 14-year old former karting champion, younger brother Dario Busi in that lone Automan Polo. 

There are several other Class C stalwarts any punter would be well advised not to bet against, including MRD Racing Dillons, Joubert and Jearey, Gideon Serfontein (Goeie Hoop Onderdele), Cheaper Cars duo Gert Du Plessis and Dewald Lubbe and freshmen Alfie van Zyl and Jaco Lambert. Three GTi challenge newcomers, Chris Danks, Jade Lynch and Steven Vermaak make their Challenge debut this weekend.

So as they say in the classics, light blue touch paper and take several steps back. Yes — Killarney’s Bold Marine GTi Challenge action is always explosive, so diarise your Saturday 18 February now for Power Series and come enjoy a brilliant day out with the family to witness some incredible GTi Challenge and other great Cape motor racing first hand. See you at Killarney!