Lotus Register :: News Detail

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:

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.
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)
Scrutineering at Lazarus Ford. On Thursday 27^th May cars will be taken to Lazarus Ford to help promote the meeting.
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