THREE RACES, EIGHT CHAMPIONS IN SERIES

+ Click to Enlarge KYALAMI CLOSE ACTION ON WAY TO CAPE TOWN: Graeme Nathan leads the Class T pack on the first lap of the third heat of the Bridgestone Production Cars at Kyalami in February 2010. Genaro Bonafede is right on his tail pipe. Image TRACKSIDEPICS

March 9, 2010

South Africa’s premier circuit racing category is ready to delight Cape Town motorsport fans on Saturday with a new race-day format and an entry list of 24 of the country’s best drivers in Production Cars.

Class A will have 10 entries, eight of which are former SA champions. His brilliant performance in the new BMW 335i at Kyalami three weeks ago gave Anthony Taylor an early points lead and he'll be hoping to repeat his performance at Killarney.

Audi drivers Michael Stephen, second in the points standings, and team mate Tschops Sipuka will be looking for further success and the Nissan 350Z cars have historically been quick at Killarney. Leeroy Poulter and Marco da Cunha will want a good points haul.

Johan Fourie (Audi) will hope his home-track advantage will earn him maximum points and minimise his poor luck at Kyalami.

Other drivers hoping to improve on their Kyalami performances are Lee Thompson (BMW 330i) and Hennie Groenewald (Subaru WRX STI). Groenewald will be behind the wheel of the only Subaru because Dawie Olivier is still recovering from back surgery.

Richard Pinard is expected to use the Killarney event to debut his pretty Lotus Exige.

Kyalami opened up a whole new element of excitement in Class T as the category newcomers taught the "old hands" a thing or two. Graeme Nathan (Golf GTI) is at the top of the points but it is Gennaro Bonafede (GTI) who has captured fans’ imagination. The youngster ousted Nathan for top honours in the final race at Kyalami - he'll be trying just as hard at Killarney.

The new three-race format served Curt Alchin (GTI) well in the first event and he's fourth in the championship, ahead of the Ford Focus ST trio of Gary Formato, Shaun Duminy and Michael van Rooyen.

Heinz Bose and George Smalberger will be flying the Mazda flag, each in a Mazda3 MPS. Bose has impressed at previous outings to the Western Cape and much of the same is expected.

Nizaam Esa and Niyaaz Modack will round out the VW GTI entries while rumours abound that Gary Green is in the building one too.

Mishal Sing and his BMW 120d have been moved into Class T, taking the class entries to 14.

Practice sessions on Friday, March 12, qualifying and all three races on Saturday, March 13.