Publications
Partners
Over 35 of South Africa’s finest exotic race cars will make their way to Zwartkops Raceway for the opening round of the 2019 G&H Transport Extreme Supercars championship on Saturday, 2 February.
The event, the first in an eight-round championship that sees the competitors make their way to five different circuits around the country, forms part of the 2019 Passion for Speed, the traditional opening event of the circuit racing season.
Last year Charl Arangies was almost untouchable in his Stradale Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage on his way to a comprehensive championship victory, although both Franco Scribante (Porsche 997 Turbo) and Simon Murray (Stradale Motorsport Lamborghini) did make him work for his points towards the end of the season.
Image: Paul Bedford - Action Images
This trio is likely to be at the top of the A+/GT3 field again with Mark du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Ferrari F430), Rui Campos (Sandton BMW M3) and Dawie Olivier in the G&H Transport Baby Beemer all capable of challenging for podium positions.
In class A, Jonathan du Toit (Trans Africa Racing Ferrari F430) beat Ricky Giannoccaro (G&H Transport Lamborghini) to the 2018 title by just a single point and Giannoccaro will be out to reverse that outcome this year.
They will be joined by a host of challengers, including Deon du Plessis (BPT KTM X-Bow), Peter Zeelie (Zeelie Auditors Toyota MR2), Nieyaaz Modack (NSI Motors BMW 135), Franco Di Matteo (Deltec Batteries Alfa GT) and Dino Scribante in his Porsche.
Image: Paul Bedford - Action Images
In addition, there are at least another three Lamborghinis slated to take to the track, Gianni Giannoccaro in his newly acquired G&H Transport supported Gallardo, Jonathan Shenkman (Stradale Motorsport Gallardo), Greg Parton (Drizit Environmental Huracan).
Class B is shaping up to be a battle between Ant Blunden (SAJCC Porsche 997 GT3), Nicky Dicks (Curvent Porsche 997 GT3 Cup) and Elwyn Steenkamp (JEYS Consultants BMW M3).
Thouca Mechanicos (ETL Mercedes Benz AMG DTM), Rick Loureiro (Combined Racing BMW F30), Kishoor Pitamber (BMW Z4 GT) and Ben Morgenrood (Ben Morgenrood Ford & Mazda Toyota Lexus) could give them some competition.
Jimmy Giannoccaro (G&H Transport Ferrari F430) will be back to defend his class C crown. Out to stop him from taking the 2019 title will be Johan Hattingh (Stradale Motorsport Ferrari 360 Challenge), Faizel Coetzee (A&M Plumbing EMW M3), Paulo Loureiro (Combined Racing BMW F30) and Derek Hitchcock (Lotus Exige).
Image: Paul Bedford - Action Images
Roy Obery claimed the class D victory in the final event of 2018 in his first outing in the Haval Edenvale Porsche 996 GT3. He will be out to claim another win but will have to overcome the likes of Len-Henry Gobey (G&H Transport BMW Z4M), Marius Jackson (Mega Fibre Audi TT), Marius Wait (BMW Z4) and Anmaar Coetzee (A&M Plumbing BMW M3).
After practice sessions on both Thursday and Friday, qualifying is scheduled for 4.40pm on Friday afternoon with the opening race of the season at noon on Saturday. Race 2 should get underway at 3.05pm