Summarize

The Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit’s blockbuster double header National and Regional Extreme Festival promises epic racing over the 11-13 April weekend. Race fans can look forward to the regular National Extreme Festival action, when the Extreme Supercars Driven by Dunlop, South African Touring Cars and SATC SupaCup, Astron Energy Polo Cup, Investchem F1600 Including Formula Ford Kent, SunBet Zx10 Masters Cup motorcycles Gazoo Racing SA Cup take to the track.

But that’s just half the story. Those classes will be joined by the finest regional racing Gauteng can offer, when the super-fast Mobil 1 V8 Supercars and monster packs of PABAR VW Challenge, BMW M Performance Parts Race Series, DOE Formula Vee and 111 GT Sports & Saloons with SuperHatch add more than just a little spice what’s already guaranteed to be a spectacular day of racing.

Looking at the National action, the Extreme Supercars Driven By Dunlop may be the quickest cars racing, but there’s a twist in this one’s tail. Lamborghini Huracan gang, world GT3 star Stuart White, Jono du Toit, Aldo, and Silvio Scribante, Xolile Letlaka and Ricky Giannoccaro, Charl Arangies’ Mercedes AMG GT3, Audi R8 LMS GT3 pair Arnold Neveling and Marius Jackson, and Kris Budnik’s Dodge Viper have their work cut out. See, not only was Franco Scribante’s mad turbo Porsche right on point at Killarney last time, but its forced induction certainly has advantages in Kyalami’s thin high altitude air. 

The big South African Touring Cars news, meanwhile, is of multiple former champion Michael Stephen making a welcome return at Kyalami. He replaces the absent Andy Schofield aboard the second BMW 128TC alongside championship leader Robert Wolk. They will be up against Gazoo Toyota Corolla TC archrivals Saood Variawa, Nathi Msimanga and Michael van Rooyen. Add Julian van der Watt’s brand new Volkswagen Golf TC, and Polo Cup graduate Anthony Pretorius’ Corolla TC. Any of them can win, and considering last year’s Kyalami Touring Car wars, will it be wild again?

Moving on to the SATC SupaCup action, the Kyalami fight ought to be just as fierce and wild. VW Motorsport duo, rookie Charl Visser and old hand Jonathan Mogotsi are locked in tight 2-point championship combat with leader Keegan Campos’ similar SupaPolo. A major point of interest is however champion Bradley Liebenberg driving the first all-new Toyota SupaStarlet. He has even more SupaPolos to deal with in David Franco, Tate Bishop, Karah Hill, and Dean Venter, with several others returning to the fray too.

It could not be closer up front in the Astron Energy Polo Cup. Cape lad Nathan Victor and KZN kid Jason Loosemore arrive at Kyalami after sharing honours at Killarney last time out. But both will now be on neutral ground however, with the locals set to pounce. Dark horse Charl Smalberger, quick kids Mohammed Karodia, Kyle Visser, Ethan Coetzee, racing lass Tyler Robinson and Gqeberha lad Jeandre Marais are among  many out to impress. Don’t forget the over-50 Masters, where John Kruger fights it out with Wayne Masters, Derick Smalberger, and the rest.

Investchem Formula 1600 sees Killarney winners, Cape Town lad Jason Coetzee and Durban driver Shrien Naidoo arrive at Kyalami on top of the table. They also have their work cut out against the Vaalies up at Kyalami. Veteran Nick van Weely, young charger, KC Ensor Smith, Polo Cup refugee Jagger Robertson and regulars Alex Vos, Siyabonga Mankonkwana and Karabo Malemela are among those out for their blood. And watch for Ian Schofield, Duncan Vos, and Graham Hepburn among the Formula Ford Kents.

Kyalami two wheel honour will be maintained by the SunBet ZX10 Masters motorcycles. They have regularly delivered the closest Extreme Festival racing over the years. A recent influx of more top riders has however seen Clinton Seller deliver a dominant quartet of wins so far this season. Rest assured that Allan Jon Venter, Trevor Westman, Hein McMahon, Damion Purificati and Dave Veringa intend to change all that very soon. As do Graeme van Breda and Jayson Lamb, who have had seasons to forget so far, while Cristian Caravello and Adriaan van Dalen are ready to pick up the pieces.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing SA Cup stretches to three different classes for the first time at Kyalami. It’s been all about Polo Cup refugee Dawie van der Merwe so far in the  GR 86 cup and considering he won there in Polo last year, Setshaba Mashigo, Kent Swartz, Niko Zafiris and the rest will likely have their hands full at Kyalami. Its Sean Nurse versus Hannes Visser and the rest in the GR Corolla Media Cup, while the rejuvenated GR Yaris Cup should see Toyota suit and former Group N racer Mario de Sousa start as favourite.

With practice Thursday before qualifying and even two races on Friday afternoon, and a full day of dawn to dusk National and Regional racing among a true Extreme Festival atmosphere, Kyalami’s blockbuster is the place to be on Saturday 13 April. Entry is R200 per person, with kids under 12 free. Book now at Computicket. See you at Kyalami!