Reporter: Rikus Jordaan
Amid the smells of exhaust fumes and burnt rubber the 2007 SARL LFS Series got underway last Thursday at the ever popular Blackwood GP Racecourse. The new season introduces a new racing format where drivers had to choose between the powerful XF GTR and the more nimble UF GTR for the entire season. The choice was a difficult one where drivers had to examine their own driving style‘s strengths and weaknesses and would undoubtedly lead to some very entertaining racing!
After almost having to postpone the Winter Series due to sponsors nearly backing out drivers were eager to hit the track. A very encouraging test session a week earlier meant that the cars were primed and very little tuning was needed with drivers spending most of their practice sessions working on refining their lines. This was reflected by some impressive lap times during practice. The new season sees some new drivers joining the Series, their lap times showing exceptional promise. read more...
At the start of qualifying the atmosphere was mostly subdued with drivers focusing on getting every bit of speed they could from their chosen weapon, honed to the extreme during long practice sessions. The lap times began to tumble as drivers found their rhythm. Halfway through the qualifying eyebrows began to rise at the noted absence of the previous season’s champion, Charles McKowen. Qualifying ended with Willem Horak taking a well deserved Pole Position and McKowen still nowhere to be seen.
Bare seconds after the lights turned green McKowen appeared at the end of the grid, seemingly out of nowhere, to join the race. Turn 1 came and went without major incident and drivers sped down the Blackwood back straight to begin their quest for points. The Sprint race continued without major incident, with the top ten drivers getting into a nice rhythm and finishing within half a lap of each other, attesting to how equal the two cars could be this season. Horak led the race from start to finish and took the checkered flag with a comfortable lead of 8 seconds over his team mate Pieter Kitshoff with Hansie Myburgh from Team BP-SA taking third place.
It was in the Main race the battle began in earnest. Never has this reporter witnessed a more entertaining race. Overtaking was the order of the day with positions being swapped several times per lap. Horak again led the race from lap one summoning an immense turn of speed from his UF GTR. McKowen drove an inspiring race, starting from 13th position only to take second position during lap 3. His race met an untimely end during lap 23 when he unsettled and rolled his car. Fortunately he escaped unscathed. Keith Macfarlane, after having some difficulties at the start, took up second position after McKowen crashed himself out of the race. Hansie Myburgh, whose car was suffering strange steering difficulties his team was struggling to correct and who was in third position most of the race, ran out of fuel within sight of the finish line, and had to settle for 6th place. This reporter questioned Myburgh in the pits after the race; he merely smiled and stated “that’s racing for you…” Third place on the podium went to Gary Klinkert, who fought his way from 16th position gaining an incredible 13 positions during the race! Truly inspired driving from Klinkert. An honorable mention must go out to Pieter Geldenhuys, one of the new drivers this season, who started virtually at the back of the field and gained 10 positions to finish in the top ten.
On a more alarming note, controversy seems to have come early to this season. Shortly following the race SARL officials received two anonymous tip-offs regarding possible cheating by drivers. The names of the accused have not yet been released, but this reporter has managed acquire some information regarding the accusations. Apparently one or more of the driver may be “Extra-Terrestrials”. This reporter is unsure exactly what is meant by this, but endeavors to keep digging until the truth is revealed. The other tip-off is regarding the possible use of unsanctioned additives in the fuel. It is rumored the driver may have made use of an Avgas mixture to gain an advantage over the other drivers. This reporter contacted SARL for comment who only stated that the matters are being investigated.
What will become of these accusations? Does this set the mood for the rest of the season? Only time will tell. One thing is sure; it’s going to be an interesting season….
