Lucky number five

In 2008, Nathan was both the overall and class T-champion and won class T again in 2010 and 2012. Prior to racing in the Production Car series, he was twice Engen Volkswagen Cup champion.

With a conservative, no risk game plan and a 25-point lead over Mini driver Gavin Cronje, he was able to wrap up the title again this year without too much fuss.

Saturday morning’s qualifying session was interesting and effectively gave Nathan an easy run for the day. Although he was only fourth fastest, the two Minis ahead of him failed scrutineering checks and had their times disallowed.

Two six-lap sprint races were scheduled before the season closing 12-lap feature race and without breaking a sweat he was able to bag the first heat win and extend his championship lead over Cronje who could do no better than fifth.

Race two was interesting in that, with the reversed grid Nathan’s teammate Jacques Joubert was on pole and he took the win less than a car length ahead of Nathan who knew second place was good enough for the championship.

In the end of day feature race, Nathan cruised to fifth place safe in the knowledge that he had once again put Indy Oil on top of the ‘lube battle’. Incidentally Indy Oil has now scalped nine titles in eight years.

“There are a number of people I need to thank; Trevor Pothecary from Indy Oil SA, Volkswagen Motorsport’s Mike Rowe, Ronnie Erasmus from Federal Mogul, Tom Smith at ABC Autoparts, RGM electronics whizz Steven Green, Vic Maharaj from Life Racing and last but not least Peter Kaye Eddie for his support throughout the year.

“Of course none of would have been possible without the dedicated team from Nathan’s Motorsport and their wives and girlfriends who allowed me to screw up their weekends!!”

Final points standings see Graeme Nathan in first place on 258 points and Gavin Cronje in second with 224 ponts and in third place is Jacques Joubert on 179 points.