The Alfa Trofeo Series set out to the historic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Saturday 28 March for the second round of their championship. With a number of new cars and drivers in the field, as well as a bumper twenty one car entry, the racing promised to be action packed. And the drivers in the field did not disappoint either, with some of the closest handicap racing in recent memory on display!
Being the generous and friendly club that they are, Alfa Trofeo Chairlady Mandy Griffin invited the youngsters from the MG Youth Project to join in on the fun.
Qualifying was an exciting affair with a big difference in speed and lap times being seen between the front and back of the field. This set the tone for lots of overtaking opportunities and some exciting racing from the competitors in the field, provided that the handicap timing was appointed correctly – and it couldn’t have been more spot on!
Race 1
Kwa-Zulu Natal resident Jose Jardim (Guilia Sprint) led the field away from the start line with series newcomer Shannon Theobald (Sud Veloce 1.5) in hot pursuit. Theobald had a demon start and grabbed the lead before the second corner!
With the rest of the field setting off at their nominated intervals the race was starting to develop into a good rhythm with the faster cars making their way through the field from the back of the grid. The other lady in the field – Angelique Griffin (Sud Veloce 1.5) – was shaping well too as she started picking off the opposition from sixth position on the grid.
Griffin was up to second by the start of the third lap and then grabbed the lead from Theobald through turn four. The rest of the chasing pack were closing in as well with newcomer Phillip Hendriks (Sprint) grabbing third position from Werner Nortje (Alfetta) through turn six, after they both passed Theobald on the previous corner.
The battle behind them was just as good with Youth Programme contenders John Hendriks (Sud) and Kyle Viljoen (145) running nose to tail through every corner. Ralph Kernes (Alfetta) and defending champion Anthony Theobald (1966 Guilia) were also on a charge as they set about hauling in Corrie Tolmay (Guilia) and Theobald’s daughter Shannon.
Kernes got past Tolmay and Theobald Junior on lap five. Theobald Senior then relegated Tolmay and his daughter by another position each on the next lap as well.
When the chequered flag dropped it was Griffin who crossed the line ahead of Hendriks and a hard charging Carlo Marengo (Guilia). These results were only temporary however as the handicap nominations still had to be applied. With all of the top contenders breaking out of their nominated times, the final race results were as follows:
Race 1 – Results
Gerrit Faling (GTV) – Best lap 2:15.566
Keagan Pottas (GTV 6) – Best lap 2:12.827
Miguel Ribeiro (Guilia GTV) – Best lap 2:07.671
Warren Ewart (GTV 6) – Best lap 2:10.052
Stephen Brits (MG) – Best lap 2:25.446
Anthony Theobald – Best lap 2:24.856
Race 2
With the nominated handicap times for the second heat being revised an even closer race was expected.
Once again Shannon Theobald grabbed the lead early on. Her father Tony also got off to a great start as he out dragged Hendriks Senior off the line to take fourth position behind Nortje. The race came to an end before it had begun for Jose de Carvalho (155 GTA Twin Spark) however when he lost the back end of his beautiful new racer through the notorious Sunset Corner. He almost saved the slide but the right front of the car nudged the wall, causing enough damage to force him to retire to the pits.
The race for the rest of the field continued however, as Theobald Senior and Hendriks Senior passed both Jardim and Nortje on lap three to slot into second and third positions respectively. The battle behind them was just as close with Kernes, Hendriks Junior and Viljoen all moving into the top six by the halfway point in the race.
Faling wasn’t to have a repeat of the first race when his car’s engine cried enough on the fifth lap forcing him into an unfortunate and smoky retirement. Theobald Junior still led the race as a titanic battle between her father and Hendriks Senior ensued for second position. Hendriks saw his opportunity towards the end of the fifth lap as the pair emerged from the bottom of the Mine Shaft side by side. He held the inside line for the next corner and slipped through to grab second position.
Theobald Senior’s hassles were not over however as Kernes and Hendriks Junior were closing in on him as well. Hendriks Senior grabbed the lead on lap six, with Kernes getting past Theobald Senior to grab third position. Kernes then passed Theobald Junior a lap later and set about chasing the race leader.
The last lap was chaotic as the faster cars scythed their way through the field. The last lap of the race was an all-out charge for the line with no one quite knowing who would emerge through the last corner in the lead.
To everyone’s surprise it was Pottas who emerged through the last corner in the lead. He took a triumphant victory ahead of a hard charging Hendriks Senior, with Kernes taking a well-deserved third position. With no one breaking out of their nominated handicap times, the results were declared as follows:
Race 2 – Results
Keagan Pottas – Best lap 2:12.274
Phillip Hendriks – Best lap 2:23.475
Ralph Kernes – Best lap 2:19.263
Warren Ewart – Best lap 2:10.565
Anthony Theobald – Best lap 2:24.875
Carlo Marengo – Best lap 2:10.977
Overall Results
Keagan Pottas
Warren Ewart
Anthony Theobald
Miguel Ribeiro
Kyle Viljoen
Shannon Theobald
The third round of the championship will be held at the Zwartkops Raceway on Saturday 16 May. Be sure not to miss out on more exciting action!