2025 Championship Final
It may well be true that the 2025 racing season is slowly winding down, but the LAUDE Classic Cars racing seems to be getting hotter. One would be forgiven if one thought it was the beginning of the season.
At the close of entries on Wednesday, 05 November, there were a total of 35 confirmed entries for the final championship round. This makes it one of the largest fields entered to date for the historic category championship.
In class A Michael Hitcock (V8 Mustang) holds a healthy lead. However, in second place, Franco Donadio (Escort Mk1) still holds on with Louis Powell (Escort Mk1) only 10 points adrift, meaning Franco must finish both heats to retain his place in class A. Louis Powell has certainly come with a revived challenge and may just be the upset in class A. Brothers Glen and Mark Uitenbogaardt together with Eric vd Merwe make up the rest of class A.
Jaryd Evans (Capri V6) leads out class B with a hard charging Boetie van Zyl (Fairmont GT 351) who will be giving it his everything this coming event to try and tame the rapid Capri of Evans all while Ferdi Mouton (Mustang V8) trails Van Zyl by a mere 4 points. It’s still all up for grabs among the top 3 class B competitors. Brain Evans (Escort Mk1) and Bruce Avern-Taplin (Toyota Corolla) make up the rest of the class B field.
Class C is yet again the largest class with no less than 10 entries up for battle. Leading out class C in his Martini liveried BMW 325i is Rob Rowe with a healthy 93 point lead and he should rap up the Pre-90 championship. In the Pre-80 category, class C is headed out by the Jeigermeister VW Scirocco Mk1, with Layne Hutchings, followed by Wayne Lotter (Escort Mk1), only 10 points adrift of Hutchings. Lotter has brought his best game for this event to try and pip Hutchings, but Layne will undoubtedly be giving it his all for this final round. Not to be outdone, keep an eye out for the rapidly quick Mini of Deon Valentine, who, if given the chance, is a handful with his Mini’s excellent cornering ability. Returning for the final round in his winning Ford Anglia is Wynand Nel who is no stranger to the class and is definitly a top contender to watch out for, while not lying down just yet is Trevor Hutchings (Golf Mk2) who will have to bring his A game if he is to keep Eric vd Merwe (Porsche 944T) from grabbing 2nd place overall in the Pre-90 category. Its again still all up for grabs in class C. Making up the rest of class C is Deon Conradie (Toyota Corolla), Jan Koekemoer (RX7), Theo Claasen (Skyline), and returning for the final round is Ian Richards in his RBR-prepared (VW Scirocco MK1), making it his 3rd outing for the 2025 season. Who exactly will be top dog on the day in class C is anyone’s guess.
Class D holds a surprise, but its not because Dave Rowley (VW Beetle) leads the class with 63 points, is followed by an ever determined Malcolm Pheiffer (Alfa GTAm) and Herman de Kock (Escort Mk1) but theres an immaculately prepared Datsun 160Y coming out (who will forget the great Golden Grove Datsun) with Cary Blows at the wheel to be the cat among the pigeons. Making up the rest of class D will be Derek Wilsnagh (Anglia), Stephen Manual (Skyline) and Jaques Blom (Ford Cosworth T). Class D is going to be on fire for this event.
Last, but most certainly not least, is class E. Now, before you say anything further, this is where we find the current overall championship leader racing in the Rob Tissington Morris Minor, aptly hard raced by Calvin Beekman. One must simply dip your hat and acknowledge, not only the reliability of this little car but also the absolute ‘get up and go’ determination and patience exercised to consistently finish and take maximum points each and every event this season. Calvin will be heading out with Daniel Lotter Jnr (Escort Mk2), Bradley Rowe (BMW) and Rob Senekal (Escort), making up the rest of class E.
In class X we have Zane Schonknecht (VW Beetle), Nicholas Fourie (Golf M2), Greg Smith (Escort Mk2) and Piet Matthee (Porsche (944 T) out to complete a timed lap wherefter they will be allocated to a class.
Please grab your tickets, your favourite viewing spot, and be sure to pop into the pit areas to say hello to your favourite drivers and to view their prized 4 wheel possessions.
