Summarize

There is always something to look forward to at Port Elizabeth’s Aldo Scribante racetrack and in the wake of the recent national championship action over the past two meetings, Saturday 6 July promises another highlight as East London’s finest Border Modified Saloon Car drivers head south to take on PE’s EP Modified Saloon pack. That intercity spat will be the highlight, with motorcycles, Sports & GTs, Historic and Fine Cars also all part of the show.

The Modified Saloon races will however be the star attraction with a bumper grid bolstered by the visiting East London party and while it was not yet clear if Martin van Zummeren would be making the trip to take on PE’s flying Audi S5s with his mad Nissan Skyline GT-R, a number of Border entries will be out to run disturbance in the classes.

Should the Skyline get down, that could be a major highlight and something of a fly in the ointment as Scribante brothers, Class championship leader Aldo and Silvio continue their spat with Bryn High’s similar Audi and throw in Duncan Lethbridge (Audi TT) for good measure. Last time out the locals were shown the way by Jozi visitor George Economedes’ wild Golf, so let’s see what Saturday brings...

There was also an upset last time out in Class B, when championship leader Deon Slabbert ran into trouble and failed to score in his rapid Polo Turbo, allowing Rufus Neethling and his BMW to close him down in the title chase, but don’t ignore Steve High’s Chevy Cruze and Kevin Kelly’s Mitsubishi among the locals. They will all have some real opposition down from the Border in last year’s PE 3-Hour winner Dean Ball and his trusty BMW. 

Class C is where the intercity action gets even more interesting as East London Polo Turbo duo Julian Herman (Strictly VW) and Doc Bevan Choudree and Richard Clarke’s naturally aspirated Motor One Honda Civic come to town to take on local heroes Marais Ellis and Johan Nel, while Class D should also prove a melting pot. There PE class championship leader Stephen Aukamp’s BMW will not only have local rival Jeff Guscott’s Porsche 928 to worry about, but East London drivers Cameron Hall’s BMW and Brady Choudree (Golf) will be out to prove who's the boss of Class D bosses in the Eastern Provence.

Overall PE Modified championship and Class E leader Daniel Bright and his Golf not only has the attention of regular rivals Wicus Basson (Golf), Derik Gous and Ryan Britton to concern himself with on Saturday as East London Brat Pack ladies Charne (Golf) and Melinda Marais (Monza) and gentlemen Allan Hurn (Golf), Eli Vergara (Polo) and Jarred de Kock (Golf), make the trip to challenge for top provincial honours.

Class F will see Theo Scholtz (Polo) defending his sizeable PE championship lead over Fanie Aucamp, Warren Oates, Johan Nel and Riaan Van Hyssteen. The interprovincial aspect is more about bragging rights as to who’s the quickest in each class across the Eastern Province than anything else as each championship will score towards their own respective PE or East London championships, without impacting on the other title race.

Saturday's EP Sports & GT races are expected to draw a few East London entries too, but the focus there will be Gordon Nicholson (Skyline GTR) and Lotus 7s pilot Patrick Hanly's ongoing tight title battle, while Garth de Villers' Formula VW and Kean Barnard, Jeandre Marais and Alwyn Kretzmann’s nimble Lotus 7s are always worth watching. 

There will be two-wheeled action as usual, with local fans hoping to see PE legend Arushen Moodley back in EP Unlimited Superbike action with the 600 dice expected between Chris Webster (Honda), Ivor Vermaak (Yamaha) and Melt Koekemoer (Kawasaki). Paul Jansen (Kawasaki 650), Chad Bilsbury (Honda 400), Historic riders Johan Anker (Yamaha) and Ian Meaker (Historic Ducati), Breakfast Run rider Gerrie Koen and Ashton Heidemann (KTM 300) will be out to entertain in the smaller motorcycle races.

Shaun Rudolph has proven the PE Classic Saloon man to beat this year in his wieldy Ford Escort, but he will have Neil Van Eyk’s similar car, Deon Gouws’ Kadet and Anton Ehlers Escort on his case as always. Never ignore Darryn Vice (Anglia), Rane Berry (Skyline), Andrew Greenland's Alfa and Ronald Scott and Robert Halgreen's Escort among other PE racers chasing for classic car glory.

Last but not least, the EP Fine Cars will offer a great variety of racing as ever, with the likes of Robin Venter, Francois and Tertius Wium, Tom Hugo and Duncan Lethbridge ready to take to the track in everything from BMW to a Nissan 350Z and even a Ranger bakkie!

So, who will emerge as the top Modified Saloon drivers in the Eastern Cape? The best way to find out will be to head to Aldo Scribante on Kyalami Road, Coega Saturday 6 July. Aldo is located off the N2 on the R335, gate entry is R50 per adult and kids are free; good food and refreshments will be available and qualifying starts 8am, with three races per class from mid-morning.