Are you ready for the penultimate LAUDE Classic Car historic race?
It’s been a long season, and as is the nature of motor racing, it’s had its challenges, at least for some. The most important thing we must never forget is that historic racing is not your modern-day technology that is freely available from your nearest motorcar parts store. In most cases, engine parts are scarce; some are almost unobtainable, while others must rely on importing such scarce items or parts that are sometimes required. That is what makes historic racing so different from common club category racing, which often utilises modern-day technology. For that, we salute all our historic competitors who have made sincere efforts to keep their race cars in top condition throughout the season.
This upcoming event on 11 October is no different, with good, healthy fields in all classes, ranging from class A through to E. In addition, LAUDE Classic Cars has consistently proved to host the largest fields throughout the entire season and aims to continue to do so into the future. This has not gone unnoticed, and this weekend we will have two out-of-town competitors, namely, Zane Schonknecht in a VW Beetle, as well as JC Engelbrecht in a Ford Cortina, all the way from East London to share in the event and its success. A warm welcome to both competitors, and we sincerely hope you enjoy the event and the camaraderie.
While the 2025 championship is not quite over, one has to ask some tough questions. While Michael Hitchcock has a comfortable lead in class A, who will challenge him and his mighty Ford Mustang, which now sports some new engine parts after suffering engine and gearbox failure. Will Louis Powell (Ford Escort Mk1) defend his narrow lead over Franco Donadio (Ford Escort Mk1) with only 4 points between them? While Jared Evans (Ford Capri V6) holds a comfortable lead in class B, will Ferdi Mouton (Ford Mustang) hold off a very determined Boetie van Zyl (Ford Fairmont GT) for second place with only 3 points separating them? Class C sees Layne Hutchings (VW Scirocco Mk1) leading in class, but will Wayne Lotter (Ford Escort Mk1) make inroads in closing the gap of 11 points, or will Jan Koekemoer (Mazda RX7) catch Wayne Lotter, who is separated by only 5 points? Will Dave Rowley (VW Beetle) hold off the 5-point lead over Malcom Pheiffer (Alfa GTA Junior) in class D, with an ever-hard-charging Herman de Kock (Escort Mk1) a further 7 points adrift? Overall championship leader in class E with a healthy 87 points is Calvin Beekman (Morris Minor), however, can Germain Bedien (Datsun 1200 GX) hold off a feisty Bradley Rowe (BMW 2002 ti) with only 2 points separating them?
In some classes, anything is possible and usually is. This should be a good turn-up for the books, with some putting everything on the line to ensure they take as many points through to the final in just over a month’s time.
All of this and more proudly brought to you by LAUDE Classic Cars, MasterDRIVE-SA and all of our sub-sponsors.