National oval champs in city this Saturday

The organising committee of Polokwane Oval invites all motor racing enthusiasts to support the World of Motorsport South Africa (Womza) Tar Oval Championships which will be hosted at the local oval track on Saturday.
Racers from as far as Cape Town and a bus full of supporters are expected to join local riders from today (Thursday) in preparation for the event, ensuring the best mechanical condition of their vehicles and familiarising themselves with Limpopo conditions for this prestigious event.
Local drivers and their Gauteng comrades are up in arms for the derby. In 2009 Polokwane racers were able to bag nine national titles in three classes and the aim will be nothing less in 2017. Polokwane Oval now has its own Ninja Midgets class where youngsters from as young as 3 years will compete in 60 cc go carts.
In the Stockrods, Hennie de Koker will be up against the best in the country. Joining De Koker will be local drivers Johan Bezuidenhout, Herman Nel and Johan Thiart.
Heath Bent will lead the 1660 Modified onslaught for Polokwane together with JJ Fourie, Francois Lewis, Markus Hallat, Dylan Bosch and Pieter Lourens. These cars are fitted with modified 1600 engines but with some limitations on brakes to suit oval standards. Polokwane Oval has never been able to grab a national title in this class so the guys are toiling non-stop to settle this score. Current entries are on 24 for the 1660 Modified class and promises to be a spectacular race.
During the recent Winter Trophy in Polokwane Johnny Durant improved the lap record in the 2,1 Modified class and, considering this, he and his team consisting of brother Rudolf, Pieter Venter, Desmond Bosch, Haccum Hough and Tienie Kloppers, are ready and able. The icing on the cake is that Daniela de Sousa, current number two on the national ranking and her Cape Town friends will leave no stone untouched to walk away with the title. The 2.1 Modified cars are full bred racing cars with 2,0 litre engines which produce up to 200 Horsepower with upgraded clutches, brakes and quick rack steering.
Two more classes which are also on the grid are the 2,0 litre Hotrods and Super Saloons. The Sprint cars will perform a support race and spectators can look forward to super-hot, V8 fuel injected action.
Gates open at 10:00 and the qualifying rounds will start at 12:00 followed by the first race to start at 17:00. Entry fee for adults is R80 and R20 for children under 12. Food and beverages will be on sale.
For more information contact Andries Marx on 072 797 6897 or René Venter on 083 645 2034.

Story: RC Myburgh
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