In the last few races we’ve had a few incidents regarding overtaking and we feel that the time is right to re-emphasize race courtesy amongst all the racers for safety and to ensure we all enjoy our passion for motorsport…

In the last few races we’ve had a few incidents regarding overtaking and we feel that the time is right to re-emphasize race courtesy amongst all the racers for safety and to ensure we all enjoy our passion for motorsport.

All racers on the track have equal status and each of us have the same right to be there racing. However, there needs to be awareness and mutual respect amongst all the racers to ensure everybody’s safety. We reach speeds in excess of 200km/h and the speed differential between class A and rest of the field is huge and the potential for serious accidents is very real.

The biggest danger is when cars are being lapped. It remains the responsibility of the car overtaking to do so safely, however, the car being overtaken has a duty to allow the faster car past safely. This does not mean that the slower car has to jump out of the way, but mutual respect will help us all race more safely.

It is very important to be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Make sure to check your mirrors regularly and keep your eyes open for flags at all times.  Make a habit of determining where the marshal points are on your out lap (the reason for all the marshal points showing green flags on your out lap is to alert you to their positions), and then glancing at the marshal posts as you approach every corner. The very fact that we had numerous incidents of alleged overtaking under the safety car shows that not all competitors are aware of their surroundings at all times.

Should you see blue flags or a car coming up to lap you, try to anticipate where the car will catch up to you. If you are able, stick your hand out of the car and point to the side you would like the car to pass you. This not only helps you to plan your line ensuring you lose as little time as possible while being lapped, it also lets the faster car behind you know that you’ve seen him and he can pass you with confidence knowing you will not turn in on him. The golden rule when being overtaken is to stick to your line and do not try and swerve out of the way. That way, the faster car does not have to guess which way you will be moving. The exception would be if you have clearly pointed the faster car past and you are moving in the opposite direction to make space. Also be aware that there might be more than one car lapping you at the same time so please check your mirrors before retaking the racing line. If you are ever unsure about the number of cars lapping you always remember the golden rule: stick to your line.

This courtesy is not only for the races, but also for practice and qualifying.  If you see a faster car behind you, even if it is from your own class, allow the car past so that both of you will lose the least amount of time and can carry on with the job at hand. Racing each other in practice and qualifying is just nonsensical. Lastly we all make mistakes, if you made a mistake own up to it and apologize. A quick apology will go a long way to avoiding unnecessary tension between racers.

Communication from Anton Muller – Race Representative, Lotus Challenge.

Dear Competitor We thank you for being part of the very successful EXECULINE HISTORIC TOUR RACE DAY run at ZWARTKOPS RACEWAY…

13 April 2010

Dear Competitor

We thank you for being part of the very successful EXECULINE HISTORIC TOUR RACE DAY run at ZWARTKOPS RACEWAY on 10 APRIL 2010.

For your information we include the EVENT REPORT and look forward to seeing you on 29 MAY 2010.

EXECULINE HISTORIC TOUR AT ZWARTKOPS RACEWAY ON 10 APRIL 2010

1)  CATEGORIES COMPETING:

Legends of the 9 Hour ™ ZOC categories:

• Execuline Pre-1966 Le Mans Sports & GT (incorporating the Pre-1963 Sports & GT)
• Etana Pre-1966 Legends Production Cars
• Execuline Pre-1974 Trans Am

HRCR categories:

• Nashua Mobile Historic Saloons Classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G
• Nashua Mobile Marque Cars
• Hollard Sports & GT plus Midas Thoroughbred Saloons

Other categories:

• Execuline Formula Vee
• Go Tech / Aucor Lotus Challenge
• AGIP Team Cobra
• Aucor Lexar Historic Motorcycle Group

2)  ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION:

Zwartkops promoted the event very well which was borne out by the good attendance.  The paying gate was more than at any other non-national race meeting held so far. Specifically:

ü  Posters were erected in the catchment area (Centurion and Pretoria)

ü  Paid radio advertisements ; Radio Rippel, Radio Pretoria; interviews on Radio Laerveld, Radio 702 prime time, and Highveld (ticket give aways)

ü  Paid press advertisements in Citizen and the Beeld as well as in The Times.

ü  Surf for Cars mobile board

ü  Flyers handed out by Flyer-Boys on the East and West Rand.

ü  Editorial in the Citizen, Star, The Times, Beeld, Motorsport World

ü  Media releases published on Zwartkops’ Website and circulated to our entire media list

ü  Post race reports in the Star and The Times

3)  SPONSORS:

Sponsors were given a generous amount of free tickets by Zwartkops.  The Historic Tour promoter purchased some extra tickets at a discounted price to further satisfy the needs of sponsors.  Zwartkops gave the paddock facility free of charge to be used by sponsors.  Feedback from Zwartkops Caterers was that the sponsors were happy and have already indicated that they will do the same for the next Execuline Historic Race Day. Execuline was very happy with the event.

4)  RACE REPORT;

With over 250 entries (cars and motorcycles) divided into 18 events there was bound to be thrills and spills.

One of the scariest moments of the day was when Willie Hepburn almost rolled the Trans-Am Camaro in turn

eight when a rear hub broke.  This gave Ben Morgenrood and Jonathan du Toit a huge wake-up call as they entered turn eight.  Willie re-built the Camaro for the second heat and fought his way through the field to finish just behind Ben.  Jonathan was third.  Michiel Campagne, a guest driver from Holland, threw the red Camaro into every turn, reminding us of his drive in his Corvette in the January Zwartkops International.

The Go Tech / Aucor Lotus Challenge was a tough race with over 30 competitors.  Klippies Krige never gives up and just managed to beat James Forbes across the line.  Glen Clark and Derek van der Merwe took class honours.

In the Execuline Formula Vee race, old stalwarts Symm Grobler and Peter Hills took line honours and club awards went to Paul Venter, Jannie Geyser and Alan Eustice.

Nashua Mobile Saloons had a big field consisting of seven classes with a wide variety of racing cars.  Whilst Willie Hepburn and Jannie van Rooyen had easy wins the day belonged to Colin Ellison in his Alfa Sprint, then Norman Poulter and Martin Botha in their Datsuns.

Pre-1966 Le Mans Sports & GT.  This is a ZOC formula which is still being developed.  One of Zwartkops’ prime objectives is to develop motor racing and new formulae. There is a give and take here. In January, the Cobras (which in profile are Historic) ran with Pre-1963 and it worked. Saturday was just one of those days where this combination went wrong. We will make amends for it.

5)  TROPHIES AND PRIZE GIVING:

Zwartkops arranged and purchased the trophies and a spirited prize giving was well attended.  Many drivers thanked Zwartkops for a very enjoyable race meeting.  (We suffered two power failures during the race meeting, but because of our UPS the race meeting went on without Interruption.)

6)  PUBLIC ATTENDANCE:

At Zwartkops the public have many excellent viewing grandstands; a comprehensive complimentary printed program; access to the pits; availability of food at the Aces Café; entertainment for children and clean and plentiful toilets.

We will not release our exact attendance figures since an attendance figure of 4200 attending Midvaal was published. Midvaal was fuller than it has been in a long while and we were very happy about that and congratulate Midvaal on this.  However, there were less than 1000 people on site, all told.

PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING HISTORIC RACING:

Zwartkops Raceway was established in the interest of motor racing and particularly to give Historics a home.  This tour, as well as the HRCR, has been stimulated by our Zwartkops International (David Piper) Race Meetings, which we have now run for nine years.  This annual event has gained National and International recognition and has become part of the permanent racing calendar.  It has given Historic Racing a Huge platform on which to stand.  Other than the A1 GP and WSBK at Kyalami last year, the Zwartkops event in January had the biggest paying gate for circuit events.  This speaks volumes for our initiatives, events, cars and public appreciation.

EXECULINE HISTORIC TOUR ROUND 3 – 29^TH MAY 2010 

We have two consecutive events of the Execuline Historic Tour at Zwartkops as a result of the cancellation of the Phakisa round.  Please find the regulations on the Zwartkops website.

In a meeting with the HRCR we agreed to enhance the day by incorporating a number of features.  These include:

1. A feature event on the day.  This will be a combined event of the Pre-1966 Le Mans Sports and GT and the Pre-1984 Sports and GT.  This event will feature a 6 lap Prologue in the morning and then a 30 minute feature event, which will be by invitation.  In order to level the playing field and bearing in mind we will have a number of national champions in the event, all vehicles will have to run on treaded racing tyres (except for some saloon GT type cars).  By having a feature event (which will change from meeting to meeting) the HRCR and ZOC believe it will enhance public interest and add value to the event.
2. Drop and Draw Hot Laps.  Spectators will be invited to “Drop your business card and Draw a chance to win Hot Laps” on the track in some exotic machinery (Galaxie, Ford GT 40 etc)
3. Scrutineering at Lazarus Ford.  On Thursday 27^th May cars will be taken to Lazarus Ford to help promote the meeting.
4. The HRCR has agreed to include the Midas Classic Thoroughbred Saloons in their Nashua Mobile Saloon Cars A,B,C,D Race.

See you at Zwartkops as we endeavour to make the 29^th May dynamic and enjoyable for competitors, sponsors and spectators.  P.S. Don’t forget to bring the little ones who will be able to have their first driving experience in the Kiddie Karts.

Peter du Toit

An interesting article on helmets.
Lifting the lid – Formula One helmets uncovered

Tim Clamp was involved in an unfortunate incident during the 2 hour held at Phakisa on 23 May 2009.
Phakisa 2HR Accident