Early shots fired on tracks

The two favourites for the second leg of the Nationals Circuit Racing on the Tony Rust Racetrack turned into a one-vehicle race after technical issues left Michel Rust stranded in his Volvo in the first heat of the race, leaving the tracks wide open for Basil van Rhyn in his Audi TT.

The second leg saw a few newcomers to the tracks, among them 16-year-old Craig Bisschoff and Pieter Greeff who is known for taking part in rallies. Both riders seemed out of their comfort zone due to the more experienced drivers like Rust, Mathew Strydom, Allan Martin and the two Bisschoff brothers Hein and Ewald.

The young Bisschoff, who recently turned 16, had a small mishap during his first heat and told Top Revs it could have been that the tyres were either still cold or under inflated, but he managed to regain control of the vehicle and could finish the race. His age against the more experienced and much older racers was a bit intimidating for him, he said.

“But once the race started, the nerves calmed and it was all about racing,” Craig Bisschoff told Top Revs.

The Windhoek High School pupil said he is ready to take his place on the circuit racing tracks.

Sadly, he could not finish the races due to flat tyres.

Another rookie in circuit racing is Greeff – though a formidable rally driver.

Greeff, always in high spirits, said he is adapting to the new venture as he goes when asked about the different genres of motorsport.

“It’s a different ball game, different car, different tyres – this sport is totally different (compared to motor rally),” Greeff said, but assured this author he would return to circuit racing to keep practising.

Asked if his supporters will see him taking part in the WMC Tara Rally by M+Z Motors that is around the corner? “Rallies are my first love and it stays that way,” Greeff said.

Meanwhile, Van Rhyn, who ended in first place in the Clubmans Class B category, said the first four laps were difficult due to a mechanical issue, but he managed to overcome the problem from within the car and then the Audi TT managed the race well.
He said they will keep on developing the car to ensure they have a top spec race car.

The TT drew a lot of attention as the spectators cheered him every time he raced past the main stands.

The results are as follows:
Clubmans Class B: First place, Basil van Rhyn (Audi TT) and 2nd place, Allan Martin (VW Golf)
Clubmans Class C: First place, Hein Bisschoff (Opel Record Chevy V8)
Clubmans Class D: First place, Ewald Bisschoff (Toyota Starlet); second place, Wayne Rust ( VW Golf ) and third place, Mathew Strydom (VW Golf)
Clubmans Class F: André Havenga (Ford Fiesta)
Clubmans Class X: Pieter Greeff (VW Golf)