The Historic Times - Historic Racing South Africa

The Historic Times
Cost R10
Historic Racing South Africa
The views and articles published in The Historic Times do not necessarily represent the views of the Historic Racing South Africa
FORD SIERRA XR8
OF NICK SHEWARD
Pictured above at the Modderfontein Piston Ring meeting Nick Sheward’s
immaculate Group One replica of a Ford Sierra XR8. It is a genuine XR8
and is a replica of the Works car John Gibb raced under Presto Parcels
colours in 1985.
The older I get, the faster I was!
2013-01-09
Marque Cars
by Kevin Taylor and Ol’Blue Racing Capri
Ol’Blue and I would like to wish all of you the very best for 2013,
may it bring you all you could desire.
I would like to thank all of you that gave me support throughout
2012 and hope that I can get as much of the same this year. Special thanks to Peter Macildowie for all his assistance with the
handicapping, and trust that he will be back racing with us in his
green MGBGT this year. Thanks again to my ‘one lady’ pit crew/
assistant, Evita and her 13/4 inch spanner (which fits nothing),
thanks for being at every single race since I started in November
2008 and for being there through thick and thin with Ol’Blue and I
when we needed you most. Thanks too to all those who came from
far and wide to participate in this handicap race event, like the
KZN crowd, including John Martin, Meredith and Quinton Willis
and he who dared to take the Champion trophy away from us here
in Jo’burg, congratulations to Paul Manegold on his 2012 victory. I
believe that the ‘Marque Cars’ category will grow and we are looking forward to seeing more cars as well as more varied and interesting cars on the grid this season. Remember, Marque Cars is
open to road legal Saloon and S&GT cars built pre-1984, so let’s all
encourage friends and family to bring out those Escort XR3’s,
Cortina XR6’s and the like, to come play with us in 2013…
Last year was a frantic one for me as I had a lot of personal issues
as well as being chairman of Marque cars and attempting to make a
hat trick in the Marque Car championship, which I missed by two
2
2013-01-09
Marque Cars
by Kevin Taylor and Ol’Blue Racing Capri
points due to a smashed
windscreen in the last race.
On the up side I got married to Evita (nothing can
top that) and I won my case
against the ex-girlfriend to
get my other house back,
which was a major achieve-
ment taking over 4 years in and out of the courts, so it was a year of
ups and downs. This year looks less frantic (so far) and although I
have a lot of wishes and promises to keep, it should be a great year.
3
Continued on page 5
COMMITTEE DETAILS
Nick Sheward
Chairman
(083) 299-3090
Tracy Cilliers
Secretary
Jacques Cilliers
Chairman Saloon Cars
[email protected]
(082) 330-3446
[email protected]
(084) 951-7414
[email protected]
Chairman Sports & GT
Nick Sheward
Chairman Classic Thoroughbreds
(083) 299-3090
[email protected]
Kevin Taylor Chairperson Marque Cars (083) 608-6896
[email protected]
Hedley Whitehead Treasurer
[email protected]
(082) 448-8269
Historic Times Editor (non committee) 083 601 7511
Website;
[email protected]
www.historicracing.co.za
4
2013-01-09
Marque Cars
by Kevin Taylor and Ol’Blue Racing Capri
I hope it is for you all as well.
Best wishes,
Kevin Taylor
Marque
Chairman
Cars
Be careful about
your wishes!!! You
are
hoping
for
more cars to join
your Marque Car
brigade and you
invite
far
and
wide…. Well I just
might take you up on the invite and swell your grids with a
very rare car in my Singer Chamois Coupe! But of course this
will only materialise when I return from my road trip to the
Hillman Imp party in Coventry!
Thanks Kevin for your monthly contribution to our newsletter
and for guiding your category through yet another successful
season. I for one look forward to pointing out the Sideways
Capri to my friends at the various tracks when you go about
your various championship challenges. Editor.
5
CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
Dear Members and fellow Committee Members.
May I wish you All a wonderful and rewarding New Year. I hope
everyone feels suitably invigorated after the short break.
I did not have the pleasure of attending EL however I will catch up
with participants at the Noggin.
A whole year of racing ahead starting out with the two events at
Swartkops and Kyalami at the beginning of February. I still call
them Piper Days! Strong habits are hard to shake! Great news is
Kyalami entry fee is at the same rate as Zwartkops if you enter both events. I believe entries are
coming in fast and they will be limited so please enter asap! I have requested an update on the
number of entries received and cutoff number, and hope to have feedback for the Noggin.
Personally I have been working flat out on my new race car and it will be at Registration Day. It
has been built in the spirit of the Classic Thoroughbred Rules and is a Group One replica of a
Ford Sierra XR8. It is a genuine XR8 and is a replica of the Works car John Gibb raced under
Presto Parcels colours in 1985. I would recommend this route to anyone entering the sport as a
great car can be built on a reasonable budget and several of these type of cars come to mind:
BMW 535, Alfa GTV 3 Liter, Mazda Capella Rotary and what about the smaller cars? If the original car has been converted to another racing format or has been exported, then an accurate replica can be built to represent it. In Classic Thoroughbreds you may also go one inch up on what
was previously raced on the car in terms of wheels. There is a great article on Chris Davison’s
Opel Superboss replica and the original restored Robbie Smith BMW 325IS in this month’s CAR
magazine. These are two great examples of how it can be done!
Prize giving will be held at Cesco’s Kelvin on the 20 th January at 1230hrs. Please make every
effort to attend this event and congratulate your co-racers on their well deserved achievements.
Tickets are available at R120 per head from the Club Secretary and include a spitbraai lunch.
Next event up is Registration Day on the 26th January at Zwartkops from 0900hrs till 1500hrs.
The process and a repeat from last month if you missed it as follows:
Club membership
MSA License
HTP Document completed / updated with changes and presented at Registration
Registration of vehicle with HRSA renewed/completed
TC Signoff and new HTP’s allocated numbers at MSA
Finally, a successful year of racing to All. See you at the Track!
Warm Regards
Nick Sheward
6
7
JoLon Imp 2013
http://jolonimp.wordpress.com/
One’s life they say resembles a toilet roll….. The closer it comes
to the end the faster it spins! Well I certainly believe this maxim
has well and truly proved itself this past year, where in the blink
of an eye, the year unravelled rapidly towards Christmas and
whiplashed us into 2013!
What I believe supercharged this year’s momentum for me in
particular was the fact that I have a serious project on the go for
early in the year. And just like my race day preparation which is
normally done while the ink is still moist on my late entry form; I
furiously begin prepping my race car for the event of a few hours
hence. This time I am furiously trying to prepare one of my Hillman Imps for a mammoth road trip commencing in March. My
goal is to attend the 50th Birthday of the Imp in Coventry in the
UK.
However I have achieved some modest preparation and I expect
to have the car up and running for a good n proper shakedown
in and around Joburg in a few short weeks.
To ready the car for the trip I have added a second fuel tank to
double the capacity giving me about a 600 kilo range on good
roads. The engine will be cooled by a Fiat Uno rad mounted upfront. I made a giant breakthrough with the routing of the water
pipes from the rad to the engine; originally I had planned to run
them through the passenger footwell and under the seat back to
the engine in the rear or the tiny car, but after considerable head
2 guys & 14, 000 gruelling kilometres in just 40 days!
8
Continued on page 13
I rather push a Ford than drive a Chev!
9
Classics Classifieds
SECOND HAND SLICKS FOR SALE.
CALL SHARON POULTER
082 357 2058
P u m a f o r S a l e R 65, 000
New car, with all the goods, BMW wheels and brakes, twin braking system, oil cooler, special shocks, anti roll bar, Z bar, twin Cobra seats,
plexiglass windows etc.
2.2 ltr motor, billet crank corrilla rods, Engle cam Chrome moly
push rods, hi volume oil pump, stinger exhaust, twin 40 IDF Webbers, specially modified crank case, modified big valve heads, balanced etc., comes with extra Puma body and chassis, gearbox,
suspension, tyres etc., lots of photos, to show progress during the
build,
Will consider selling motor separately
contact Bruce 0829525724
FIVE (HARDLY EVER USED)
DUNLOP RACING SLICKS
SP SPORT 190 / 535 R 13
Price highly negotiable
083 601 7511
10
Classics Classifieds
For sale:
1973 Mercedes Benz 280 Plus a four wheel trailer R65000.00
Contact number 0828950474
Regards
Mike Leonhardt
082 895 0474
FOR SALE
Ford Escort RS 2000
R25, 000 (not neg)
Gert 076 116 7589 or 083 6017511
Wanted.
For Sale
Give away
I am a young student look- 4 Minilite rims 114 pcd. 17 inch semi slick tyre
ing for a cute Beetle for R2 ,500
(used)
transport. Must be in clean
5 8 inch Dunlop slicks
condition and reliable.
(almost new)
083 601 7511
Call Caitlin 082 666 0766
R850 each.
083 601 7511
Collect Randburg area
For free advert in our classified section contact
Terence with the details of your requirements by email
[email protected]
11
SERVICES OFFERED
PREPARE to win.!
Race car prep. Service for race cars in HRC or other clubs.
SERVICES OFFERED;

Pre race preparation

Collection of cars and return to owner

Monthly retainer basis or once off fee
Classics Classifieds
FORD V6 ENGINE
I need to upgrade my V4 in my 1971 Ford Capri/
Call Adrian 084 207 9177
Urgent Sale:
I have 158 rolls of quality 10 Core white Comms/Security Cable made by Kewberg
cables (New 100m Coils). R15, 800.00
for the lot or R120.00 each or offers?
Other sizes also available from 4 core to
30 core in white and brown.
Also available selected cabtyre cable and
ripcords (prices on request)
Kevin 0836086896 or [email protected]
12
JoLon Imp 2013
http://jolonimp.wordpress.com/
scratching fuelled by serious concerns that the near boiling
water pipes in the cabin through a hotter than hell Africa
would become near intolerable so a massive job was attempted where I managed to draw the pipes through chassis
channels along the sides of the Imp. The near impossible
task
was
achieved and it
BATH TIME FOR LITTLE ENGINES!
made the blood
sweat and tears
duly rewarded.
The basic Imp
front seats have
been replaced by
brand new Ford
Fiesta
recliners
and the rear seats removed to make space for our sparce
luggage and tents etc.
The engine that i will use is the one I used in my race Imp for
its first season when i was the
most lapped car in the club. I
am also running a superlight
electric water pump which is a
big improvement on the original
mechanical number.
ENGINE READY FOR INSERTION INTO JOLON IMP
2 guys & 14, 000 gruelling kilometres in just 40 days!
13
Continued on page 18
14
Classics Classifieds
FOR SALE
Hewland Gearbox Brand New
BDA/R. Cylinder Head
Serial No:
Completely refurbished by Camtech.
DG 300-713
1st : 17–37, 2nd : 21-34, 3rd : 22-32, 4th : 25-31, 5th : 28-28
With large stainless valves plus tappet,
Clutch Shaft:
DG 23928
cover, new dry sump, 7 conrods, water
Side Plates:
DG 205/206
pump, 4 pistons, crank assembly +
Drive Shafts:
DG 218B
Price:
R140 000.00 o.n.o
Price:
R26 000.00 o.n.o
4 Dellorto Carburators – DRL048s for Chevy
V8
Two of 45 Dellorto Carburators
With Low Rise Chev Manifold plus all
Plus a large selection of choke tubes
linkages and air filters fully assembled.
Price:
R45 000.00 o.n.o
Price:
R6 500.00 o.n.o
2 x 2 inch S.U.Caburators
Also completely refurbished
Price:
R3 500.00 o.n.o
Chev 350V8 Competition Engine Parts
8 TRW Forged & Dome Pistons 350 Ali Pistons
R3 500.00
8 Conrods 5.7 Steel
R6 000.00
Rings for Pistons
R 600.00
Camshaft SB310 Deg
R 800.00
4 Bolt M/Bearing Cap Set
R1 500.00
Timing Sprocket & Chain Set
R 550.00
Pair of N/P Bell Tappet Covers with set of Bell wing bolts
R1 600.00
1 x Complete Chevy Stripped Motor
R 550.00
15
The
EMGEE
WORKSHOP
INCORPORATING ROLO MOTORS
MG, Mini & British Sports Car
parts, repairs, restorations and
race preparation.
Three decades of high quality
craftsmanship and service.
011 789 7127
[email protected]
16
FUNDRAISING DINNER &
AUCTION MONDAY 14TH
JANUARY
CALL TERENCE 083 601 7511
SHOP G 24, BRIGHTWATER COMMONS,
011 886 9988
REPUBLIC ROAD, RANDBURG
17
JoLon Imp 2013
http://jolonimp.wordpress.com/
Two fine Ford Fiesta seats to shorten the distance between
Joburg and London.
The car is presently getting a full wiring once over with extra bits
n pieces for the new electric fuel pumps, radiator fans, extra
lights etc. From there it will be off to the sign writing store for
sponsors stickers and the intercontinental route mapping on its
bonnet.
Then of course will come the dreaded paperwork will need to be
2 guys & 14, 000 gruelling kilometres in just 40 days!
18
JoLon Imp 2013
http://jolonimp.wordpress.com/
Some decent luggage space but no back seat drivers!
dealt with and of course the
associated financing of the
same.
In this regard I have decided
to organise a fundraising dinner and auction at Scrooge
Diner on Monday 14th January where you are all wel-
Double fuel tanks
2 guys & 14, 000 gruelling kilometres in
19
Continued on page 20
JoLon Imp 2013
http://jolonimp.wordpress.com/
come to join me. We have some fine items up for grabs, such as
a few massive bottles of superb Zonnenbloem wines,
(Magnums, Jeroboams, Melchior (that’s 20 litre, 15 litre, bottles
and so on, so bring your Panado sandwiches for the tomorrow
morning headache!) we will also have some jolly good 750ml
wines under the hammer. Not to be outdone by the wine merchants we will also be auctioning a collectors 25 year old J & B
Whisky. Various artworks will also go under the hammer. So
bring more that beer and grub money, it’s a loooong way to London and even though my Imp has only an 875cc engine i will still
need lots of petrol! Money!
Over and above my fundraising dinner there are still a few items
that I still need help with is some sort of sound system for entertainment for the trip so if one of you has a contact in the car audio industry that could ‘loan’ me a nice set i would certainly endeavour to return it to them safely in the fairly DIDTANT future!
I will also need both advice of cameras and communication
equipment so that i can keep you appraised of my progress and
of course to compile and forward you the latest HISTORIC
TIMES! So if some of you can give me some help on this front it
would also be greatly appreciated.
So please phone me on 083 601 7511 to reserve your table at
my fundraiser if you can make it.
Many thanks
Terence Tracey
2 guys & 14, 000 gruelling kilometres in just 40 days!
20
Alex Caffi
Caffi was born in Rovato (province of Brescia), in Northern Italy.
He spent three years in Italian Formula Three from 1984 to 1986, finishing runner-up in 1984 and 1985, then third in 1986. 1986
also saw him land a one-off drive with the Osella Formula One team, and Caffi scored a rare finish for them, coming home 11th.
The small Italian team were impressed by his sensible approach, and signed him for a full season for 1987. The Alfa Romeo powered car was uncompetitive and unreliable, Caffi never finishing once, though he was classified 12th at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Nevertheless, the quiet Italian drew good notices for his attitude and skill in such a poor car (notably qualifying 16th for the Monaco
Grand Prix).
For 1988, he switched to the new Scuderia Italia team who were running a Dallara chassis, again drawing good notices and peaking with seventh place at the Portuguese Grand Prix. In 1989 the team expanded to two cars, with Andrea de Cesaris taking the
other, and a switch to Pirelli tyres. Caffi impressed, finishing fourth at the Monaco Grand Prix, and running second at the United
States Grand Prix before de Cesaris knocked him off. The second half of the season was less impressive as Pirelli struggled to find
consistent race tyres, but was distinguished by Caffi starting third at the Hungarian Grand Prix (though the aforementioned race
tyres saw him finish seventh).
21
Continued on page 22
Alex Caffi
Caffi was noted as a promising talent, and was tempted to Arrows for 1990. The team had been bought by the Japanese Footwork
Corporation, and were planning a major championship assault in 1991 with a new Porsche V12 and Michele Alboreto, while 1990
was to be an interim year. Caffi injured himself in a pre-season cycling accident, missing the first race of the season, retiring from
the second with exhaustion and failing to qualify for the third. His best finish of the year was fifth place at the attrition-filled Monaco
Grand Prix, but Caffi generally gave solid, if unspectacular, displays elsewhere.
1991 was to be an unmitigated disaster, sadly. The Porsche V12 was grossly overweight and seriously underpowered, and Caffi
failed to qualify for the first four races. He then broke his jaw in a road car accident following the Monaco Grand Prix, ironically after
he had escaped injury in a serious crash during the race weekend. Footwork then drafted in Stefan Johansson to cover, and when
Caffi returned to fitness, he found the team were trying to keep the Swede on. He managed to get back into his seat via a legal
injunction, but then failed to qualify for the next six races. He finally got through to the Japanese Grand Prix, finishing 10th, but
Aguri Suzuki had already been announced as a replacement for 1992. He again got through for the Australian Grand Prix, but had
no drive for the following season.
He had no option but to sign for the new Andrea Moda team. However, registration problems with the FIA meant he managed no
more than a few practice laps at the South African Grand Prix, and the team arrived late for the Mexican Grand Prix and were not
allowed to run. After this, Caffi was replaced by Roberto Moreno, and his time in Formula One was over.
After a brief career in Spanish and Italian Touring Cars, Caffi found his niche in sportscars, racing in GTs, FIA Sportscar, and
ALMS. Caffi is returning to International motorsport in the IRC Rally Monte-Carlo 2011, driving a Skoda Fabia S2000.
Alex Caffi spectacular crash at Monaco
22
Continued on page 11
Bruce’s Blast from the Past
An introduction to motor racing
Article transcripted form the Sports Car January 1962
Although the following article was written in the ‘60’s is it quite amazing how pertinent most points still are today! So instead of sharing my thoughts on its merits i will rather simply transcript the article which was created
by the British Racing Drivers Club and the British Automobile Racing Club and published in the January 1962
edition of ‘The Sports Car’ South Africa.
Still pertinent today except perhaps for the names like Nuvolari and so on!
AN INTRODUCTION TO MOTOR RACING!
Your name (in all probability is not Nuvolari. Please do not enter your first race with the idea of proving yourself
as a genius overnight. It took even the great Tazio years of practice before he became acknowledged as “Il
maestro”.
Motor racing is not only dangerous – it is also expensive. However keen you are to race, don’t start until you
can really afford it. Apart from the danger of racing a car prepared and perhaps build “on a shoestring”, don’t
forget to put right a blow-up or prang may cost far more than you can afford.
Do you know exactly what it feels like to drive at racing speeds? If you can truthfully answer “YES” you are
probably due for an early demise; nobody in his right mind drives at racing speeds on the public roads. Try to
get in some practice on a closed circuit before the day of your first race.
Do you know your car? “inside out” if it is not your normal road car, it is almost certain that you don’t. It’s then
even more important that you should get in some practice apart from official pre -race training. Make sure you
are completely conversant with your car’s handling and general characteristics. To do this it is essential that
you should find the correct seating position. You should drive in the position which feels most comfortable to
you and at the same time give you complete control over the vehicle. The importance of this point should not
be underrated: a driver who is uncomfortable in his car is a potential menace to himself and other competitors.
Note that it is not recommended that you should experiment with tyre pressures, damper settings and the like
without professional guidance. Neither should the amateur dabble in special fuels which may be unstable and
therefore dangerous. It will be far better – and safer – to take expert advice on these matters. Most concerns
interested in motor racing are only too anxious that you should obtain the best possible service from their products, and will gladly give you the benefit of their knowledge and experience.
Even if you have a mechanic to help you, make yourself familiar with the technicalities of your car. The more
“mechanical sense” you have, the less are the risks of a costly blow -up. Drive with respect for the machinery.
The real aces are those who go fast enough to win, and at the same time avoid over -stressing their engines,
brakes, etc. Your rev counter and oil pressure gauge are your best friends – don’t ignore them.
Ensure that your car is adequately prepared. The scrutineers, whose job it is to examine cars for their race worthiness, are experienced technicians and don’t miss much. In any case, an unraceworthy car jeopardises not
only your own life, but those of your fellow competitors. Working all night before a race (although sometimes
necessary in unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances) is not clever. Neither is entering for a race in the hope
that “it’ll be all right on the day”. Where preparation is concerned; only perfection is good enough! Don’t forget
that the practice period is for learning the circuit, not for the frenzied tinkering in an effort to make up for poor
preparation.
Don’t aim too high until you have “found your feet”. Probably the best type of event in which to make your debut
23
Continued on page 26
AFRICAN 6 HOUR ENDURANCE RACE
FEBRUARY 23, 2013.
“This is a modern endurance race, not an event for classic racing cars,” says organiser
Entries have been pouring in for the African 6 Hour Endurance Race, to be held at the Phakisa Raceway in Welkom on February
23, 2013.
To date some 45 cars have been entered for the event, ranging from a Pilbeam LMP pucker Le Mans prototype to a Panoz GTLM,
nine Porsche 911-based racers, Shelby Can Ams, and a gaggle of saloon cars.
The race will evoke the spirit of South Africa’s strong tradition in endurance racing, but with a modern field of cars competing over
the six hours in various classes.
“Many people have had the erroneous idea that this is an historic racing car endurance event,” says organiser Roger Pearce of
Classic Car Events, the promoters of the race. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. We are re-kindling the tradition in South Africa for pucker endurance racing, based along the lines of the World Endurance Championship, and we will be running our race to
FIA-WEC rules, as regards driver teams, re-fuelling and the like.”
In fact the race has already attracted overseas interest, with a German driving team of Frank Norhing and Michael Tischer entered
to drive a Porsche 911 RSR.
24
AFRICAN 6 HOUR ENDURANCE RACE
FEBRUARY 23, 2013.
Whilst Pearce is keen to point out that this race is not an historic racing car event for cars of by-gone eras, it is open to all classes
of sports, GT and saloon cars competing in MSA-sanctioned events across the country.
For this reason the likes of the beautifully turned-out Nardini Sports racers will compete with Shelby Can Ams, some potent BMW
330 saloons, a number of Volkswagens, Lotus 7s, and the very potent Backdraft sports cars which are Cobra-based track machines that could well be in contention for the overall prize.
Thus there is a mix of modern and classic in the entry list, which does include some cars from the classic car racing scene, such as
Ford Escorts and VW Sciroccos.
A special BMW 330d racer, which was a class-winner in the British 24-Hour Championships, will also be imported for the race.
One of the ideas behind holding the race at Phakisa was to attract a national entry, rather than a Gauteng-based one, “says
Pearce.
This strategy is already working well. One of the entries received is the giant-killing Golf from east London run by the Stephen family of racers. “Old man” Neil Stephen, a former works driver for the Opel team here in the 1990s, is driving along with his sons Geoff
and Jonathan in a car that started out as a commuter car for Geoff Stephen back in 2007.
The Stephen Golf has already scooped top saloon wins in endurance races around the country in the past three years and regularly
mixes it with sports racers.
There are also entries from the Cape including Fred Phillips from Cape Town, who has entered the exciting Panoz GTLM car. Phillips is the publisher of the acclaimed magazine Classic and Performance Car Africa, and has competed all over Europe in historic
endurance events.
It will be interesting to see how the more modern GT racers compare to the likes of the Ford GT40 entered by the Scribante family
from Port Elizabeth. Whilst this an historic-shaped racer, it runs modern race underpinnings and is very quick by modern standards,
as are the two Backdraft cars entered by Durban manufacturer Tony Martin, who, not co-incidentally, won the 1984 Daytona 24Hour endurance race.
“There is also a strong possibility that Peter Bailey will be entering his LM2 car that he has been preparing for Le Mans,” says
Roger Pearce. “I’m also hoping to attract some of the Ferrari 360 drivers who race here in sprint races.
“We can take a total of 60 cars according to the regulations, and I’m confident we’ll get close to that cut-off point by the time entries
close on December 31, 2012,” said Pearce.
“We are also determined to re-vitalise interest amongst the Free State people, and we will be embarking on a big campaign to
achieve this,” he said.
For more information, contact Roger Pearce on 082 8970771, or by e-mail on [email protected]
25
Bruce’s Blast from the Past
An introduction to motor racing
Article transcripted form the Sports Car January 1962
will be a high speed trial at one of the many Club race meetings held throughout the season. In these you can
go for a good “blind” for an hour or so, finding your level, making your mistakes, without feeling conspicuous
through failure to remain with the leaders. One event of this kind will be far better value as practice as a dozen
five-lap sprints.
Regulations are meant to be read, and it is essential that you should do so. It is not uncommon for competitors
to be excluded from a race on technical grounds that would not have arisen had they read and complied with
the Supplementary Regulations.
Officials are there to help you – not merely to be officious. Remember that they are voluntary helpers, and that
without them you would not be able to race at all. So, when you are given some information or instructions,
take it in the spirit in which it is meant, and you will find that it will all go smoothly.
You must be absolutely familiar with the flag signals. It is not enough to look at them once and think you know
them. You won’t! At 100 m.p.h. you cover 150 feet in a second, and immediate recognition of signals may mean
the difference between safety and disaster. If you are shown the black flag, bear in mind that it may be for a
technical fault not apparent to yourself, and that you will be well advised to complete the lap at reduced speed
before stopping at your pit.
Keep fit. Motor racing is an exacting sport, and unless you are in good physical condition you will be unable to
do justice to either yourself or your car, while being a potential danger to yourself and others.
When you are in the race don’t try to dice with the fast boys – in fact , don’t try to dice at all. Better by far to
finish at the back than on your back. Remember that any attempt by you to outcorner the experts will end only
in disaster.
Keep an eye on the mirror and stay well into your own side of the track. You won’t be able to keep up with the
leads for long, so take care not to get in their way when they come past. However, once you have committed to
a line through a corner, you will not be expected to divert yourself from it.
If you intend to call at your pit make sure following competitors are fully aware of the fact. Pull over well in advance and give them an arm signal so as to leave no room for doubt as to your intentions. This is vitally important!
You should never have a spin. Remember: it is vital to know to a nicety your own and your car’s limitations.
When a spin occurs, it is a sign that they have been overstepped. If you should overdo it, keep cool. Don’t attempt to rejoin the race until you are sure the field has passed, even if it does mean further delay. This is of no
importance compared with the responsibility of involving other competitors.
Treat other drivers with respect. Never force your way past on corners: it is highly dangerous both to yourself
and to other competitors, besides being a “dirty” practice.
Remember that your primary object is to finish the race. To win it is essential to finish: to finish it is essential to
stay on the track. It is far better to go steadily and gain experience than to try vainly to emulate the champions,
probably ending up either in a ditch or with a rod through the side.
General: be sane about this thing: don’t be the type of “wild -eyed speed deamon” that has been seen in the
past. Drive gently to and from the track – noisy, inconsiderate and dangerous driving brings disrepute to our
Sport and discredit to its participants. Such behaviour will not impress, it will merely mark you as a beginner or
a “boy-racer”. Don’t paint numbers on your car until you are at the circuit (or if you do, cover them up), and
26
Bruce’s Blast from the Past
An introduction to motor racing
Article transcripted form the Sports Car January 1962
please remove them before you leave. Take a pride in the turn -out of your equipe: a clean car and clean overalls are “musts” for any self-respecting racing driver. Don’t forget to take your competition licence and medical
certificate; you will be required to produce them. Finally, be a sportsman. Even if someone does “carve you up”
remember that it was not necessarily done deliberately, and no credit will accrue to you if you make a scene.
Motor racing is a sport and is distinguished by its sportsmanship. The driver who, even when in the right, is
known for the number of protests he continually makes in not popular with his fellow competitors or with officials. It is better to acquire the reputation of being a driver who is keen to learn than of being a “sea -lawyer”.
TECHNIQUE
Whilst it is not possible in an article of this kind to fully describe the techniques of race driving, the following
basic precepts may be of use to the beginner:
Never brake on a corner – get your braking and gear changing over before the corner and before you turn the
wheel. Use some definite landmarks by which to judge your braking points. Without a definite braking point, you
will find judgement of distance and speed very tricky.
Go into your corners slowly and come out fast. The opposite procedure leaves you no margin if anything unforeseen occurs in the middle of the corner. Anyway, it will be long time before you reach the stage of being
able both to go in and to come out fast.
Apart from the short initial period when the brakes are being released and the car is being aimed into the corner on the correct line, the driving wheels should always be under power, starting with a little and increasing it
gradually all the way through.
You won’t be able to gain any time on slow corners. There is a very definite limit to the speed at which these
can be taken, and to attempt to exceed this speed is to ask for trouble. Never try to overtake on a slow corner:
the resultant spin will set you back many places, if nothing worse.
You should not attempt to overtake on a fast corner unless in so doing you can still follow your normal line
through the corner.
If your car starts to slide, don’t do anything suddenly or violently, the brakes can’t help you; judicious application of the throttle may help in some circumstances; but the real answer is quick, but limited, correction with the
steering wheel. It is comparatively to correct initially, but the tricky part is to avoid over correction, the results of
which can be more disastrous than the initial slide. Your car in only under complete control so long=g as all
four tyres have full adhesion.
Straights can be regarded as the appropriate place to overtake and be overtaken, and where you will be able to
study your instruments. Cultivate the habit of glancing at your rev counter when changing gear.
An interesting article that the new young drivers of our great club would do well to absorb when getting
into our sport. Editor.
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E-Mail: [email protected]
TEL: (012) 384 2299
Brace yourselves for a Zwartkops – Kyalami spectacle on
the 2nd February 2013 and 9th February 2013.
2013 is going to be spectacularly different with the Zwartkops annual Historic / Extreme
Festival embracing Kyalami a week later. It’s going to be a festival of speed over two
weekends with some of the most spectacular racing cars in the land and coming from Europe
and our best racing drivers in action.
Heading the list of the spectacular will be the “Champion of Champions” Legends of the 9
Hour Production Cars™. There will be at least 17 big American V8’s headed by the Black
Widow 1957 Nascar Chev Bel-Air, the big red Ford Galaxie which is the flagship of the Series
and to be re-united with an even greater legend, Sarel van der Merwe. From the U.K. and
Europe we will have three Mustangs, plus our own Ford Mustang of Franco Scribante and
Ferdi van Niekerk (Jnr), then the Trans Africa Racing Chev Biscayne and Chevelle, the
Plymouth Fury of SP Racing, new additions will be a 1963 Chevy Nova, and from Keith
Hinckley stable a Ford Thunderbolt and Plymouth Baracuda plus recent winner Ford Mercury
Comet of Hennie Groenewald… it is an amazing collection of racing cars which will be in
action of course the smaller capacity Alfa’s, Volvo’s, BMW will not let the V8’s have their way
and do not be surprised if one or two of them humble the magnificent cars. It is going to
happen one of these days.
1957 Chev Bel-Air
1959 Chev Biscayne
1964 Ford Fairlane
1965 Chev Chevelle
1963 Ford Galaxie
1965 Ford Mustang
1957 Plymouth Fury
1963 Ford Mercury Comet
The Legends field will be split into two categories with the “Little Giants” the smaller capacity
but equally spectacular Mini’s, Alfa’s, GSM Darts, Fiats, MG’s etc. putting up a spectacular
race.
The big black McLaren M8F is back in South Africa with a vengeance and will match itself
against one of the fastest Chevron B19’s in the world which is coming from Europe. The ISP
event will have some 14 Chevrons, Porsche 917’s, Lola MK3B’s, Ecosse, Ford GT40’s in the
top sports racing class. Plus the Le Mans GT class and group 5 Production Cars.
1970 McLaren MB8F
1971 Chevron B19
1969 Lola T70
1970 Porsche 917
1969 Chev Camaro –
Grp 5
1968 Ecosse MK2
1965 McLaren MIC
1965 Ford GT40
The Pre-1966/68 Le Mans Sports & GT will have two very special Ford GT’s from Europe –
one being the ex-Alan Mann semi works car. These Fords will be matched against five local
Ford GT40’s, two Lola T70 Spyders, three Daytona Coupe’s etc. in the 45 minute South
African Tourist Trophy. One very interesting entry will be the “Brit and Boer combination” – in
a 1967 Chev Camaro. Tim Bowles has teamed up with a boer – Sarel van der Merwe in the
45 minute event! It will be interesting to see the times these two will do now that they are in
one team.
1964 Daytona Coupe
1965 Lola T70 Spyder
1965 Ford GT40
1966 Lola T70 Spyder
The Pre-1974 Trans-Am Production Cars always produce action between Ben Morgenrood
and Willie Hepburn and this year there will be a lot more conception from a curtain U.K. entry
and local champions.
One very interesting entry in the Pre-1984 Historic Saloons Cars will be the Evolution 2 –
Hans Stuck tribute BMW CSL – Batmobile. This is one of the most exciting new historic racing
cars in Africa.
Single Seaters (Historic) will be complimented by a historic significant Cooper – Maserati from
the U.K. and a Brabhem F2.
One of the single seater front, the biggest interest will obviously focus on the three Formula
One’s. The ex-Michael Schumacher Benetton to be driven by either Alan van der Merwe or
Jan Lammers, the ex-Jean Alex Ferrari F1 to be piloted by Jaki Scheckter and the ex-De
Lenaris Dallara F1 of Andre Bezuidenhout. These cars will complemented by Formula
Atlantics of the seventies and a few wings and slicks historic single seaters.
Ex-Michael Schumacher
Benetton F1
Dallara F1
Ferrari F1
The motor-cycling “Day of the Champions” Series will race at Zwartkops on Sunday 3rd
February and then with the cars on Saturday 9th February at Kyalami.
There will be 17 entries from the U.K. with the Isle of Man riders. Included in the 17 will be six
young U.K. riders who will ride with the 600 superbikes against our Thunderbike Series.
There is a full spread of the spectacular for all ages over these two weekends in February. As
usual there will be plenty of entertainment for the family and ample food and drinks.
Ticket will be sold at the gate on the day or book now at Computicket;
DOUBLE HEADER TICKET (Includes entrance to ZWARTKOPS
on 1,2 & 3 Feb AND entrance to KYALAMI on 8 & 9 Feb)
Buy beforehand from Computicket or Zwartkops and save R80
Adults R220, Students/Scholars R140, Kids U12 free
WEEKEND TICKET TO ZWARTKOPS (Entrance on 1,2 & 3 Feb)
Buy beforehand from Computicket or Zwartkops and save R20
Adults R130, Students/Scholars R80, Kids U12 Free
WEEKEND TICKET TO KYALAMI (Entrance on 8 & 9 Feb)
Buy beforehand from Computicket or Zwartkops and save R20
Adults R130, Students/Scholars R80, Kids U12 Free
TICKETS BOUGHT AT THE GATE ON SATURDAY
Adults R150, Students/Scholars R100, Kids U12 Free
SUNDAY ONLY TICKET – DAY OF THE CHAMPION
Adults R80, Students/Scholars R60, Kids U12 Free
See you at Zwartkops on 2nd & 3rd February 2013 and then at Kyalami on the 8th & 9th
February 2013.