Summarize

Zwartkops Raceway is gearing up for one of the coolest days on its calendar when the  Historic and Inland Tour visits the Pretoria circuit for a cracking race meeting on Saturday 24 August. This Historics-rich festival has something for every race fan, from the sleek Pre-'74 Legends of the 9 Hour Sports Prototypes, Pre-‘68 Le Mans Sports & GT racing with Trans-Am, to the thundering Marlboro Crane Hire Pre-'66 V8 Legends with the Little Giants and U2s snapping at their heels.

Add the ever-entertaining Evapco HRSA Sprint races and back-to-front Pursuit handicap Challenge, the Historic Single Seaters, of course, and the International Race Supplies & Roofsure Midvaal Historics for that extra historic edge. A little more contemporary, perhaps, there will be two more races for the single seater fans in the Formula Libre and SA Formula Ms. And talking cotemporary, don’t forget the INEX Legends, National Sports Cars and On Track Clubmans, and of course, Zwartkops’ ever-popular Silver Cup 2.0 too.

Those Pre-'74 Legends of the 9 Hour Sports Prototypes always thrill with big power and action on Zwartkops’ tight confines. Porsche 917s, rumbling V8 Lola T70s and the like bring memories flooding back for those lucky enough to recall the Kyalami 9 Hour, and Springbok Series of the 1960s and ‘70s. They must fend the wieldy likes of Chevron B8s off, a few Shelby Daytona Coupe’s and Shelby Cobras, and even some Trans Am Mustang and Camaro heavy metal. Never mind a few surprising ‘60s Cortinas, Alfas and even a Mini, or two.

 

If V8 rolling thunder gets your juices flowing, then the giant Marlboro Crane Hire Legends of the 9 Hour V8s should stop you right in your tracks. That’s where the likes of Ford Fairlanes, Mustangs and a Galaxie taking on the likes of Chevy Novas, Camaros and a selection of other American exotica from Mercurys to a Plymouth, or two. The big guns must be on their toes, however. None of them would want the trivial likes of the Little Giants and U2 Alfa Romeos,  BMWs, Escorts or Minis to show them up now, would they. But enjoy watching the little ones try. And maybe, succeed! Also watch for a bit of potroast versus biltong there, with British thoroughbred MGs and the like against proudly made in SA Darts and a Protea.

The balance of the historic races should see Porsches fending off some very rapid Mazda rotaries and Sciroccos in the HRSA Sprints, with all form of ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘90s machinery in chase. It’s much the same, albeit more of a Ford versus the Axis affair in the Midvaal Historics. Watch for a bit of everything, from Escorts and Anglias to a Fiat Coupe, a gang of Alfas of literally every type, and an army of Datsuns flying the Japanese flag in pursuit. Speaking of the chase, HRSA Pursuit is guaranteed to deliver more overtaking than you have ever seen. The fastest cars there start last and every car is handicapped to finish together...

The Historic Single Seaters generally comprise a field of the classic Formula Fords that SA’s greatest race drivers once used as stepping stones to the local Formula 1 and Formula Atlantic series of yore. And the World Drivers Championship, ever mind! They’re occasionally joined by rasping rotary Atlantics too, so hold thumbs there. The contemporary Formula Libre and SA Formula M races feature a blend of more modern single seater Formula Fords, GTi, Vees and Super Vees, and even a quick formula VW or two racing in classes. The 1940s bodied INEX Legends with hot motorcycle engines under the bonnet are always something a little different, with a few seasoned veterans taking on the young guns of tomorrow.

It's tin-tops versus sports cars in the On Track Magazine Clubmans and National Sportscars, where Sportscar Nash MV3s, Sevens and Sports 2000s share the track with the tin-top Clubmen. Expect a mixed bag there, with everything from a Nissan Tigra Spaceframe to Subarus and Mazda RX7s, to a fleet of Hondas, Volkswagens, Fords, and more. An eternal Zwartkops favourite, Silver Cup 2.0 always draws a large and diverse entry. With everything from oval-derived Mazda Opel and Toyota spaceframes to BMWs, rotary Mazdas and turbo and otherwise Golfs, Fords and more, this racing class really does dare to be different!

As always, there’s far more than just racing at Zwartkops’ 24 August Historic and Inland Championship festival on Saturday. Visitors can also pore over the classic cars in the pits, there’s kids entertainment, a cool variety of food and drink stalls and much more off-track entertainment too. Entry is R100 per adult, R80 for students, and free for kids under 12. Contact 012 384 2299 or log on to www.zwartkops.co.za for more details.