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WESBANK V8 SUPERCARS - REVIEW

CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE WILL RESUME AT ZWARTKOPS

CAPE TOWN - 1st October 2011

ISSUE 6

6 OCT ‘11

INDEX

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“AUBY BOYZ” DOMINATE AT KILLARNEY —

CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE STILL WIDE OPEN

WESBANK SUPER SERIES – KILLARNEY

1ST OCTOBER 2011

WESBANK V8 SUPERCAR RACE REVIEW

Jimmy and Brandon Auby each took a victory in

front of a large and enthusiastic crowd at a cold

Killarney on Saturday. The brothers also filled se-

cond place in both races. Jimmy retains his 2 point

advantage over Brandon in the Super GT title race.

Nearest championship rival Franco di Matteo is a

further 12 points back only 1 point ahead of Ben

Morgenrood. Current GT championship points

leader Des Gutzeit did not start both races leaving

the door open for Patrick Seddon and Larry Wil-

ford to claim victories. The GT Championship race

is also now wide open with 3 drivers still in with a

chance to clinch the 2011 title.

After Friday practice it was clear that race day would provide

plenty of action. Ben Morgenrood (Ben Morgenrood Auto /

Indy Oil Ford Falcon) showed tremendous speed and the vet-

eran put his car on pole position during the Saturday morning

qualifying session. Jimmy Auby (SKF / Q8Oils / Cummins Ford

Falcon) and Brandon Auby (SKF / Q8Oils / Cummins Ford Fal-

con) took second and third with Franco di Matteo (Varta Jagu-

ar) in fourth. Less than a second covered the first four drivers

on the grid. Deon Auby (SKF / Q8Oils / Cummins Chev Lumina)

qualified fifth ahead of Terry Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants / Hot

Wheels Ford Falcon) and a returning Jade Gutzeit (Dezzi Inter-

national Ford Falcon). Patrick Seddon (Chev Lumina) took the

GT pole closely followed by 2010 Champion Larry Wilford.

(Fuchs Lubricants Ford Falcon).

Prior to race 1 the cars and drivers lined up for a “grid walk”

allowing the race fans to see the cars and meet the drivers.

Once the packed grid was cleared the new Hi Q Chev Lumina

Pace Car, driven by Mackie Adlem led the field away for the

rolling start. Ben got a good start ahead of Jimmy and Bran-

don for the first half of the 8 lap race. The 3 drivers had a tre-

mendous fight for the lead until Ben lost pace as a result of a

broken left front wishbone. This allowed Jimmy to take the

race win ahead of Brandon and Franco. Deon finished fourth

just behind Franco with Ben crossing the line in sixth place

behind GT race winner Patrick. Jade was the final Super GT

class finisher in a steady seventh place. Terry retired on lap 2

with engine failure and Romano Sartori (AMC Ford Mustang)

did not make the start in the striking new Mustang. The car is

a welcome new entry in the Super GT field and once

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developed could be racing for podium placings. With nine cars

starting in the Super GT category, this was the largest entry in

the class for 2011. Larry finished second in the GT class. Steve

Herbst (Prei Instrumentation Corvette) retired on lap 4 with a

puncture. Ray Wilford (Fuchs Lubricants / Nicci Beach Chev

Corvette) joined GT Class points leader Des Gutzeit (Dezzi In-

ternational / Cummins Ford Mustang) on the pit wall as he also

was not able to start due to engine problems in practice.

The reverse grid saw Jade lead the field away for race 2. Deon

soon got passed and took an early race lead. A faulty steering

caused Deon to slow down and by mid race Brandon led fol-

lowed by Jimmy and a charging but disappointed Ben. It soon

became clear that Ben was quicker than the 2 leading “Auby

Boyz” and Ben closed the gap forming a tight 3 car train. A

mistake by Ben at the hairpin gave Brandon and Jimmy a cush-

ion and they held position until the flag. The 3 drivers crossed

the line separated by only two seconds. Franco once again had

a steady race finishing fourth ahead of GT Class winner Larry

and Patrick. Romano finished seventh ahead of Steve and a

frustrated Deon. Jade retired the matt black Lumina in lap six.

Jimmy took a narrow overall victory for the day ahead of 2010

Champion Brandon. With 2 consistent races Franco took the

third placed Super GT trophy. Patrick took a well-deserved

victory in the GT Class ahead of Larry and Steve.

With only 2 rounds of the championship remaining (4 races)

both the Super GT and GT classes are heading for a champion-

ship showdown. In the Super GT Class only thirteen points

separate the top 4 drivers. Jimmy maintains a narrow two

point lead over Brandon with Franco ten points behind Jimmy

and Ben only a single point behind Franco. Deon is not com-

pletely out of the race but it will be difficult to make up the

points in the remaining two races.

Des still leads the GT Championship. His lead going to

Zwartkops reduced to only sixteen points ahead of Larry with

Patrick and Steve level on points in third place.

The WesBank Super Series heads inland after three coastal

races. Round 8 of the Championship will take place at

Zwartkops on the 5th November. A full field of cars is expected

as Clare Vale and Steve Smith may also make a return to the

V8 Category for the final two races of 2011.

See, Hear and Feel V8 Racing at its best at Killarney on the

5th November 2011.

Competition is a way of life.

Produced on behalf of SAMCAR by Supersol Press and Publications – Denis Klopper / denis@supersol.co.za - All Images www.tracksidepics.co.za / Tony Alves

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SCRAPBOOK

KILLARNEY

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