Last historic hurrah for Kyalami

The fourth round of the 2014 Midas Historic Tour will be run playing out at Kyalami Race Track Raceway this weekend.

A full contingent of cars and drivers is expected on the grid, because  seeing as though this may be one of the last motorsport events hosted at this legendary South African circuit before it goes , which will go on   after it goes up for on auction on July 24.

There are Let’s make no bones about it, they are bound to be some long faces after the final chequered flag unfurls late on Saturday afternoon.

However,  you can be sure that this general mood of deep melancholy won’t affect effect any of the door-to-door racing drama that is action that’s bound to unfold in the headlining SKF Pre66 Legends of the 9--Hour Production Cars class.

Consistently delivering some of the most exciting on-track scraps in the country at the moment, drivers such as  Franco Scribante (Ford Mustang), Hennie Groenewald (Mercury Cougar) and Jonathan du Toit (Chevrolet Nova) are going to give no quarter along the flowing 4.3km -kilometre circuit.

Rumoured to be joining the fray — although (we’ll probably only know at during Friday practice — ) is Jaki Scheckter in his Pablo Clark Racing (PCR) Ford Galaxie.

This rapid slab of Detroit iron hasn’t been run since the team had a fallout with the administrators administrative powers-that-be at the end of last season.

I’ll also be vying for a podium position behind the wheel of the Sunday Times Ford Mustang. Kyalami really suits this car,  so I’m definitely hoping to score some much-needed points.

The uber-competitive Pre66 Le Mans Sports and GT class promises to deliver similar high-octane thrills. Particularly up front, where Ross Lazarus (Ford GT40) will spend his weekend sparring with the slightly lighter and more nimble Lola T70 MK3 Spyder of Mark du Toit.

Behind them you can expect much tussling between the two Shelby Daytona Coupes piloted by Peter Lindenberg and Jonathan du Toit, the Lotus 26R of Josh Dovey and the Trans-Africa Racing Shelby Cobra set to be driven by guest driver and former ex- star South African cricket captain cricket all-rounder, Clive Rice.

If that doesn’t bowl you over,  then you may enjoy watching the massive variety of tin-tops battling that battle for glory in the extremely well attended Marlboro Crane Hire Historic Saloon Car Class.

With 62 cars currently etched on the provisional entry list, it’s sure to be one of the biggest vehicular dogfights of 2014 — especially for age-old veteran rivals Willie Hepburn (Ford Capri) and Ben Morgenrood (Ford Mustang).

Also watch out for Anton Raaths in his flame-spitting, crowd-pleasing Mazda R100 as well as Clive Densham strapped behind the wheel of his well-sorted Alfa Giulia Sprint GT.

A little bit further down the field, my money is on Colin Kean in his popular and ever-reliable Mercedes-Benz 280 CE.

Anyway, whatever blips your life throttle,  be sure to wend your way to Kyalami tomorrow morning for what is sure to be a proper send-off.

Gates open on Saturday at 7am. Tickets are going for R50 per adult. Hide your kids in the boot and smuggle them in for free (for old times’ sake).

-Thomas Falkiner- Ignition Live